This was an incredible book. Everyone should read this. Revelatory and honest whilst also deeply moving.

This is not normally a book I would be interested in however I have lost quite a few members of my family to cancer. I think the research aspect of this book was very informative.

As an employee of a cancer center, I truly appreciate the work that Dr Scadden has done to improve patient care and survival. Cancerland is less a memoir however and more a scientific book about cancer, treatments and a few stories mixed in as well. It is obvious that he cares very deeply for his work and his patients, all patients, however I think the book may be slightly mis-marketed. I did expect a personal cancer journey told through the lens of an oncologist and researcher. I did enjoy the book very much but it wasnt exactly what I was expecting it to be. I dont think that should prevent people from reading it.

Thank you St Martins Press and Netgalley for an ARC in return for my honest review.

I am always interested in reading medical memoirs, especially to get insight into the psychology of a persons experience. This book wasn’t quite what I expected however it was informative and I am pleased that read it. If you are looking for a memoir on a persons personal journey through cancer you may prefer different books, however if you have an interest in learning more about cancer and treatments then I recommend it.

David Scadden, M.D. titled his book Cancerland: A Medical Memoir. Truthfully, it’s more of a scientific history book. There’s very little in it that constitutes memoir, in the sense of personal experiences. He does tell a bit of his mother’s cancer story, and some parts of integrating family life with being a physician.

On the other hand, Scadden discusses the science and medicine of cancer treatment. He’s actually participated, both clinically and by researching, so this is his personal experience. But from the reader’s perspective it doesn’t feel like a typical memoir.

Okay, now I’ve got that off my chest. Here’s the rest. Dr. Scadden is a driven and clearly compassionate physician. His story is complex, mostly because he’s been involved in some innovative cancer treatments.

Scadden explains these treatments in a way that balances science with layman’s terms. For example, he delves into stem cells, genetics, and immunotherapy, among other things. It’s complex stuff, and you need to know before you read that it takes some effort to absorb. But Scadden uses patient stories to help lighten the load.

My conclusions
Dr. Scadden worked with another writer, Michael D’Antonio, to craft this book. It can’t have been easy to make such high-level science accessible to regular folks. And Scadden doesn’t get carried away with egotistical pronouncements. In fact, he seems pretty humble to me considering his experiences.

I appreciated learning about the other scientists with whom the author both learned and collaborated. No major scientific development happens instantaneously in a lab with a sole researcher. The team aspect of cancer research is quite evident here.

Having just read two other books about the early days of treating HIV / AIDS, this was a good companion. The two types of research complemented each other more than I realized. Those other books were The Great Believers and Taking Turns. Each of these three books is unique, and they form a valuable triad of knowledge.

Acknowledgements
Many thanks to NetGalley, the authors, St. Martin’s Press, and Thomas Dunne Books for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.

St. Martin's Press and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Cancerland: A Medical Memoir. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

The idea for this book stemmed from a conversation between the authors regarding the fact that so much of what happens in science remains unknown to those outside of STEM. As almost half of Americans will be stricken by cancer in some way, the step into "Cancerland" is foreign to many. The authors wanted to help bridge that gap in knowledge, to give readers a first-hand view of what they may face in their lifetimes.

The look at advancement in the practice of medicine through the ages was interesting, especially in regards to the many promising technologies that may shape our future. The history is fascinating and the knowledge of how scientists, doctors, and researchers have evolved the fight against cancer with tangible results are nothing short of amazing.

The book itself is a little disorganized and dense in places, but this comprehensive look at the disease that both scares and affects many is a worthwhile read. Getting a doctor's perspective on the advancements of medicine, especially one who faced the death of a loved one to cancer, made this book more personal and humanized. Dr. Scadden's advancements in stem cell research have been invaluable, especially with the creation of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. Although Cancerland: A Medical Memoir ultimately was not what I expected, as the title implied a personal account of a doctor facing cancer, but I did learn a great deal about cancer, the research into the different types, and the potentially groundbreaking work being done by those with both expertise and knowledge. I would recommend Cancerland to readers who like learning about the science and history of medicine.

I'm a sucker for medical memoirs. In his book, Dr. David Scadden describes his career as an oncologist and researcher, interwoven with stories of his personal experiences losing a classmate and his mother to cancer. Compared to others in the genre, I think that this book is a little heavier on the technical jargon, which might be tough to read as a layperson. However, as the book describes, so many of us have been touched by cancer that, like it or not, we're being thrust into the role of lay expert, learning through our experiences. So, if you're interested in cancer, give this book a look.

It's interesting how a large disconnect exists between evidence based best practices and the care many receive. From the inherent limitations of drug trials, to insurance and other forms of bureaucratic red tape, to patients' and their families' insistence on being allowed to try unproven treatments, Dr. Scadden examines many such issues. This was an interesting read and I'd recommend it to anyone who is curious about the "hows" and "whys" of current cancer treatment.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
This book was truly fascinating, I thought I knew a fair amount about cancer and the therapies but it was so enlightening to read about how the history of cancer and the development of the treatments. The authors do not shy away from difficult subjects like the roles that politics, ego, funding and scientific fraud play in research.
I am actually going to re-read this book because I want to remember most of the facts, particularly in light of the fact that some people think cancer is one disease and that treatments are being hidden. I was also pleased to see that the authors added facts about vaccinations and dealt with some other medical misconceptions in the book.
It was however not a memoir for me, in the sense of other medical memoirs I have read. I would have liked to read more about the patients, although I am pleased that it was not chapters and chapters of the authors childhood/schooling etc as some are. The science however is easily explained in layman's terms and you will be astounded at the medical breakthroughs that have been made in the last 50 years. There really is so much to the book not only cancer, it includes HIV, Genome testing, Aging, The Tuskegee experiment, Immunology and more than I can add here. I highly recommend it.

I found this book to be less about what it's like to have cancer and more about what it is like to dedicate your life to science; specifically to cancer research. The book provides deep insights into cancer and the trials and tribulations of being a researcher. The authors use of strong analogies helps to make abstract complex science more understandable. I felt both hope and frustration as I read it - hope that there are such dedicated smart individuals working on this challenge; frustration at the competitive landscape that discourages cooperation. Kudos to the author for his creativity and perseverance in creating his center. I found the book interesting but a bit long in details and length as a lay reader.