How Not To Be My Patient Book

"By the time I see most of my patients, they have weeks, not months, left to live,"says Edward T. Creagan, M.D., cancer specialist and professor, Mayo Clinic Medical School. "Let there be no doubt, they are courageous, and we have many incredible success stories that defy what we know about cancer. But truth be known, half of my patients never needed to walk into my exam room because their cancers were related to lifestyle choices they made along the way. I'm not placing blame or guilt. In this book, I will tell you what you can do, for yourself and your family, so you won't ever be my patient."

How Not to Be My Patient teaches people how to talk so their doctors will listen. Dr. Creagan shares insights doctors are never taught in medical school-insights readers will be surprised to learn. He takes readers inside the examination room and teaches them how to make the most of their seven minutes-the average time of an office visit. Every one of us can lower our own risk of premature death and disability right now-it's never too late. But first, we need to take personal responsibility for our own health and welfare in order to decrease the risks of developing diseases, especially cancer-the most-feared disease of all.

With Dr. Creagan's prescription for prevention and survival, readers can take control of their health care, their medical records and their decision making. Dr. Creagan will also show patients how to wisely select and build partnerships with their doctors, even though today's bureaucratic strangleholds are driving doctors to retire early and forcing patients to the Internet for advice.

For those whose future includes an encounter with a life-changing illness such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes, Dr. Creagan has this empowering message: You can survive any diagnosis.