Human Cancer: Epidemiology and Environmental Causes

Cambridge Monographs on Cancer Research

by John Higginson, Calum S. Muir, Nubia Muñoz

This important new reference book on human cancer provides a global picture of the epidemiology of cancer and its environmental causes. By summarising on a cancer-by-cancer basis geographical, environmental and ethical factors, the volume collates a wealth of information which, taken together, provides valuable insights into the causes of cancer and scope for its elimination and control. The contents (1) general epidemiological methods; (2) a review of known or suspected causes; (3) a detailed review of specific cancers; (4) a brief review of legal and ethical implications. The bibliography concentrates on recent key references and reviews.

Genres: Dragons, China

Paperback

First published June 4, 1992

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

From School Library Journal: "Living in the shadow of the Fruitless Mountain, Minli and her parents spend their days working in the rice fields, barely growing enough to feed themselves. Every night, Minli's father tells her stories about the Jade Dragon that keeps the mountain bare, the greedy and mean Magistrate Tiger, and the Old Man of the Moon who holds everyone's destiny. Determined to change her family's fortune, Minli sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon, urged on by a talking goldfish who gives her clues to complete her journey. Along the way she makes new friends including a flightless dragon and an orphan and proves her resourcefulness when she tricks a group of greedy monkeys and gets help from a king. Interwoven with Minli's quest are tales told by her father and by those she meets on the way. While these tales are original to Lin, many characters, settings, and themes are taken from traditional Chinese folklore. Minli's determination to help her family, as well as the grief her parents feel at her absence, is compelling and thoroughly human."

I listed to this on audio book and thought the narrator's voice was monotonous, but it was a good story.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author states that this book was inspired by Chinese folk and fairy tales and it definitely has the magical tone and feel of that genre. Minli wishes her little struggling family could have good fortune, and, inspired by the tales her father has told her, decides to set out and find the Old Man of the Moon and ask his advice. Along her journey, she meets characters who are key to advancing her mission: a dragon who can't fly, a king, a poor buffalo boy with a special friend, and a group of kind villagers. Interspersed in the narrative are the mini-folktales that ultimately tie into Minli's quest. Ultimately, Minli doesn't get the advice she seeks but in this case it's the journey, not the destination, that provides the satisfaction. A sprightly story with a plucky heroine that serves well as a read-aloud.

[LeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories inside stories in the style of 1001 Nights in this book where a little Chinese girl goes off to find the old man on the moon to learn how she can change her family's fortune. Along the way she meets interesting characters who help her on the journey and some who pose a danger. The stories that she hears from her father and from those along the way interlock in a satisfying whole. I did think that the extreme change in fortune at the end (however delightful!) undermined the verbalized lesson that the secret of happiness is thankfulness since the characters had no opportunity to demonstrate their thankfulness before circumstances changed drastically for the better. Beautifully told in a folktale style.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really my personal taste, but very well done.