Taking Care of Your Girls: A Breast Health Guide for Girls, Teens, and In-Betweens

by Marisa C. Weiss, Isabel Friedman

The real facts about your “girls” and how to take care of them

“Well, all my friends think they will never have breasts—and it’s not funny—because a lot of girls feel this way.”
—Elena, 13

“I went up two sizes over summer break! I started seventh grade with a ‘C’ cup. Then my breasts got weird pink stripes on the side. What happened?”
—Veronica, 12

Girls are as anxious and confused about their breasts as ever. That’s why Marisa Weiss, M.D., an oncologist and breast health specialist, and her teenage daughter, Isabel, decided to create Taking Care of Your “Girls.” Together, they polled more than three thousand girls and their moms and came up with a surprisingly huge list of worries and misconceptions. Based on their research, you’ll get answers to questions

• How do I know when I need to get my first bra—and what kind should I get?
• Do big breasts have a higher risk of breast cancer than small ones?
• How do I get rid of stretch marks?
• When will my breasts stop growing?
• How do I examine my own breasts?
• Will the size of my breasts even out?
• Do tanning, antiperspirants, wearing a bra at night, and talking on a cell phone cause breast cancer?

A groundbreaking book for both mothers and daughters, Taking Care of Your “Girls” is a practical guide to breast care and a girl-to-girl conversation about the feelings and emotions that come with the territory.


“This all-in-one, indispensable breast health guide captures exactly what teen girls and their moms really practical, easy-to-read, great advice. It’s one of the best gifts you can give to your girl.”
—Harvey Karp, M.D., F.A.A.P., author of The Happiest Toddler on the Block , board member of Healthy Child, Healthy World

Genres: Health

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Skye Selassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, this is one of those books that you (meaning girls) MUST have in your personal library.

It isn't as embarrassing if you're reading it out of a book. That way you don't have to make eye contact, right? Just kidding. But seriously, I love this book, it answered all of my embarrassing questions and then some! It is extremely helpful, even if I had to flip through a couple of pages or chapters to get to what I really wanted to know. Now I can answer a few questions my friends have been asking me.

I am very blessed to have a mother whom I can speak to openly about such things. She's a nurse so she usually talks openly about the things she sees and hears, granted I am willing to listen. Even so, sometimes w don't get around to talking about some things. Not because of embarrassment, but simply because of lack of time. This book is the perfect answer to that dilema.

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a pretty decent nonfiction reference title for tweens, teens, and young adults. They'll definitely appreciate the peer advice from the co-author, a young woman in her early twenties, as well as the medical information from the author, a doctor specializing in breast health.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

good information for teens and pre-teens.