Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer on 20 May, 1989. When the "New York Times" published 'Research Links Diet and Infertility Factors to Ovarian Cancer', by medical writer Larry Altman, on 25 July, 1989, Gilda's husband, Gene Wilder, wrote to the author to ask some pointed questions. Altman urged him to contact Dr M Steven Piver at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. Wilder and Piver met via telephone and immediately recognised their shared common desire. From that time, they have worked together to communicate to the general public what is known about ovarian cancer. When Dr Piver decided to write "Gilda's Disease", he asked Wilder to help him by sharing what he had learned during Gilda's struggle so that others might benefit from their ordeal. Wilder and Piver have worked diligently to ensure that the material provided here is accessible and informative without being too scary. The result is a book that offers both medical and personal insights into ovarian cancer. All royalties will benefit two organisations honouring Gilda's memory: 'Gilda's Club', a free, non-residential support community located in New York City for people with cancer, their families, and friends; and 'The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry' in Buffalo, New York, which tracks women with a family history of ovarian cancer and advises them of their risk for developing the disease and methods of prevention.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
After the death of comedienne Gilda Radner from ovarian cancer in 1989, her husband, Gene Wilder, contacted Piver, chief of gynecological oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., to learn more about the disease that killed his wife. In this overview of ovarian cancer, Piver outlines known causes, preventive measures, symptoms and available treatments for this disease. Interspersed with the medical information are excerpts from Radner's book, It's Always Something, written when she was under treatment; personal comments by Wilder; and letters from other women who have been treated for this condition. Because in its early stages, ovarian cancer can be symptom-free, this straightforward, textbook-like presentation is useful. Photos not seen by PW. (Sept.) FYI: All royalties will be contributed to two agencies for women with ovarian cancer: Gilda's Club and the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Comedienne Gilda Radner's death from ovarian cancer in May_ 1989 galvanized media attention to the disease and its risk factors. When Wilder, her widower, questioned exclusion of certain facts from a July_ 1989 New York Times article, he was referred to Piver at the Roswell Cancer Institute. The doctor and the actor wound up collaborating on this book, which details causes of the cancer, including "the high-fat, Western diet" ; preventive measures, including oral contraceptives and pregnancy as well as surgical removal of the ovaries; diagnosis; types and stages of the disease; surgical procedures and chemotherapy; alternative therapies, from coffee enemas to touch therapy; and initial thoughts on gene therapy. Wilder's moving personal perspective makes the guide a yet more valuable addition to the growing number of books on women's health concerns. All royalties will benefit Gilda's Club, a free, nonresidential cancer sufferers' support community in New York City, and the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry in Buffalo. Whitney Scott
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
One of the most feared cancers is ovarian cancer, with good reason. It may be asymptomatic; what early symptoms do appear are vague, diffuse, and often are not taken seriously by either women or their doctors. As a result, the disease is often advanced before diagnosis occurs--as in the tragic case of Gilda Radner.
This book lives up to its subtitle: sharing personal experiences and a medical perspective on
ovarian cancer. The personal experiences are excerpts from Gilda's book "It's Always Something", excerpts from letters to Gene Wilder, and comments from him. I defy any one to be unmoved by these pages. The voice of the cancer victim and the cancer survivor come through, sometimes tragic, sometimes comic, always honest.
The medical perspective, interwoven with the pertinent experiences, is equally valuable. I think it is superb. Dr. Piver has a remarkable talent for clear and succinct treatment of such complex and scary topics as surgical staging, the 30 different types of ovarian cancer, survival rates and alternative therapies. His historical perspective and obvious mastery of the field enable him to answer the most difficult question-- with a minimum of gobbledegook, and with up-to-date information. This book is almost like having a humane and sympathetic gynecological oncologist across the desk.
Of course, this book could save your life or that
of someone you love. Information is one of the best weapons we have against this killer. I am in awe of how much information and wisdom these gentlemen have packed into 184 pages. I could not recommend it more highly.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was healthy, young and active when,out of the blue, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The next thing I knew they cut me up, filled me with poison (chemo), blasted me into premature menopause and made my hair fall out. I was so overwhelmed.
A kind friend gave me this book. It gave me a clue about what was happening. I read and re-read it and began to understand my disease. With understanding comes hope.
If you know someone with ovarian cancer -- give them (and yourself) this book.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A great first read after diagnosis. Very informative about the why's and wherefore's regarding ovarian cancer made personal with excerpts from Gilda's Radner's book: It's Always Something (a great second read).
The author writes with authority and compassion, a rather rare combination in the medical profession. A welcomed book at a time when one needs facts combined with heart.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Gilda's Disease
Gilda's Disease: Sharing Personal Experiences and a Medical Perspective on Ovarian Cancer Great book. Read more
Published 22 months ago by PaulaM
Reading Prognosis Is Remarkable
Gilda Radner was a comedienne that is remembered as the years pass as a unique character, especially as one of the original cast of Saturday Night Live. Read more
Published on November 1, 2008 by Ross Robertson
Great source of information
The book explains the experiences of Gilda and Gene. It provides an understandable decription of the symptoms, treatment, and the experience of having Ovarian Cancer. Read more
Published on April 3, 1997
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
It's difficult to say exactly, but I think it started for Gilda during Haunted Honeymoon, the movie we were filming in London in September of 1985, just one year after we were married. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
persistent ovarian cancer, diagnosing ovarian cancer, abdominal wash, meticulous surgical staging, tumor deposits, ovarian cancer cases, developing ovarian cancer, advanced ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer risk, ovarian cancer cells, borderline malignancy, cytoreductive surgery, debulking surgery, epithelial ovarian cancer, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, low malignant potential, true stage Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Gilda Radner, United States, Lenore Goodman Rosa, New York, Gene Wilder, National Cancer Institute, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Anderson Tumor Institute, New England, Saturday Night Live New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
It's difficult to say exactly, but I think it started for Gilda during Haunted Honeymoon, the movie we were filming in London in September of 1985, just one year after we were married. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
persistent ovarian cancer, diagnosing ovarian cancer, abdominal wash, meticulous surgical staging, tumor deposits, ovarian cancer cases, developing ovarian cancer, advanced ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer risk, ovarian cancer cells, borderline malignancy, cytoreductive surgery, debulking surgery, epithelial ovarian cancer, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, low malignant potential, true stage Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Gilda Radner, United States, Lenore Goodman Rosa, New York, Gene Wilder, National Cancer Institute, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Anderson Tumor Institute, New England, Saturday Night Live New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 10
books:
See all 10 books this book cites
5
books
cite this book:
- It's Always Something by Gilda Radner on 7 pages
- Getting Well Again: The Bestselling Classic About the Simontons' Revolutionary Lifesaving Self- Awareness Techniques by O. Carl Simonton M.D. on page 147, and Back Matter
- Ovarian Malignancies: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Advances (Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology) by Steven M. Piver on page 82, and Back Matter
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (Surgery on File, Vol 2) by Diagram Group on page 54, and Back Matter
- Gynecologic Oncology (Cancer Treatment and Research) by C.T. Griffiths in Back Matter
See all 10 books this book cites
- The "Go Ask Alice" Book of Answers: A Guide to Good Physical, Sexual, and Emotional Health by Columbia University's Health Education Program in Back Matter
- The Journey Through Cancer: An Oncologist's Seven-Level Program for Healing and Transforming the Whole Person by Jeremy R. Geffen in Back Matter
- Everyone'S Guide To Cancer Therapy 4th Edition by Margaret Tempero in Back Matter
- Our Bodies Ourselves For The New Century (A Touchstone book) by Boston Women's Health Book Collective on page 675
- The Consumer Health Information Source Book by Alan M. Rees on page 169
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