Don't judge a book by its cover. A. Kennedy.

Don’t judge a book by its cover

By Anna Kennedy

In the last ten years we have seen an upsurge of books about lymphedema in the marketplace, available digitally, in print and/or through the Internet. People frequently ask; how do I know which books are reputable, trustworthy and which ones are not? Where can I find balanced, informed answers to my questions in published books?

For those with lymphedema or interested family members, we have assembled essential guidelines to follow when assessing books to purchase or borrow.

1 Check the publishing date

Research has greatly advanced our knowledge of lymphedema in the last 10 years. Some out-of-date books for example, still advise breast cancer survivors to avoid exercise.

Yet we now know that a progressive and controlled exercise program can actually enhance lymphatic flow and should be part of any self-care program. Be sure you are reading books that are including the most current evidence-based research. Example: There are several books published in 1998 that have not been updated since. Be cautious if consulting these books and be sure to compare with more up-to-date books or articles.

2 Who are the authors?

There are many books authored by laypeople, who are not doctors, researchers or clinicians with a thorough medical understanding of lymphedema. To make credible recommendations, the reputation of the authors and their statements within the book need to be reviewed. Are there references included in the book that backup their statements and recommendations? Be careful

of authors sponsored by companies and who are endorsing their own products or services.

3 Are the authors credible?

You can check reputable international and national lymphedema websites. If they are listing suggested books, ensure these books have been reviewed by respected clinicians. On the CLF website, for example, all the books listed have been reviewed and endorsed by the Education Committee or the Pathways Editorial Board. You can also check the names of the authors on PubMed to see whether they have published research etc. in peer reviewed journals and are well-respected opinion experts in the lymphedema community.

4 Be careful if written by patients

Unless the personal story is uplifting and inspiring, there are a lot of negative books that can bring you down. There are enough books by clinicians about lymphedema that you don’t need to include those by untrained or non-medical professionals. Be wary of any advice by patients on treatment and care, unless of course a credible doctor has also endorsed the book.

Example: Let’s Talk Lymphedema by Gemma Levine, a well-known photographer in England is an excellent book. Dr. Peter Mortimer of England, consultant of dermatological medicine at St. George’s University Hospitals, London, England and an authoritative and well-known lymphedema physician and researcher, has endorsed the book.

5 Are patients seeking notoriety?

There are some books by authors who have been featured on TV’s TLC network several times about having huge legs and not getting

the proper diagnosis and treatment. Some of these patients are notoriously well known among the lymphedema therapist community as having received diagnosis and initial treatment, but not following up and then every 10 years going through the same cycle and publishing their story over again.

6 Who is the book targeted to?

Check carefully that the book is written with you in mind as the audience. Books for health professionals will include language and photographs that can have graphic photographs of severe cases and can be alarming, overwhelming, and discouraging for patients. Choose those targeted to patients and their appropriate level of understanding.

Example: Lymphedema: Concise Compendium of Theory and Practis; the authors were selected for their acknowledged international stature in the fields of lymphatic biology, medicine and surgery. This book is excellent for clinicians and NOT appropriate for patients.

7 How about books about nutrition and diets for lymphedema?

This topic seems to have seen the biggest influx of new books for lymphedema. At this time, there is not a lot of evidence-based research supporting specific diets for lymphedema. So other than general nutrition and commonsense eating approaches for weight control and a healthy lifestyle—it is not suggested to try fad diets, or purchase expensive products or programs that are not medically proven to be beneficial specifically for lymphedema.

Conclusion:

It is far more important to choose a short list of carefully selected credible books to read to inform yourself, rather than lots of books. It is easy to google LYMPHEDEMA books, but you risk getting confusing opinions and advice. You can find separate lists of suggested books for patients and healthcare professionals under www.canadalymph.ca LP

Anna Kennedy is a Founding Member of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework and the Editor of Pathways magazine. She is a cancer survivor living with lymphedema, advocating both a healthy lifestyle and positive attitude to manage this lifelong condition.