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Your Life in Your Hands: Understanding, Preventing and Overcoming Breast Cancer
This text considers the subject of breast cancer. It puts forward the message that the disease can be prevented and effectively treated by simple diet and lifestyle modifications.
- GenresHealth
262 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 2000
34 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Jane A. Plant
16 books3 followersProfessor Jane Plant is one of the world's leading geochemists, and was chief scientist of the British Geological Survey (BGS) from 2000 to 2005, as well as Professor of Geochemistry at Imperial College, London.
When she was struck by breast cancer in 1987 at the age of 42, her happy and productive existence seemed destined to fall apart. But despite the disease recurring a further four times, Jane refused to give in. She devised a revolutionary diet and lifestyle programme that she believes saved her life and can cut the chances of other women falling prey to the disease.
When she was struck by breast cancer in 1987 at the age of 42, her happy and productive existence seemed destined to fall apart. But despite the disease recurring a further four times, Jane refused to give in. She devised a revolutionary diet and lifestyle programme that she believes saved her life and can cut the chances of other women falling prey to the disease.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 29, 2012
I found this book in the local library a few months after being told that I had six months to a year to live because my breast cancer had spread. The oncologist only offered hormonal treatment and palliative care to ease symptoms as things progressed. I was 47 years old when I was given that diagnosis and not ready to give up without doing something.
As soon as I read the cover I knew that this was the book for me. Prof Plant has had breast cancer and was told to go and get her things in order. Instead she started to research a dietary approach to dealing with this disease. As I turned the pages I could feel what Plant was saying was the right approach for me.
A few months later one tumour could no longer be detected, and the rest were stable or decreasing. That was nearly four years ago. My health may not be perfect, but this approach has really worked for me.
I know that some people find it to be a difficult book to read, but read it with an open mind and see if you think this can work for you. In my case I had nothing to lose. This book fundamentally gave me hope and a way to move forward. A way to wrench back the power from the cancer by using food as medicine. This is non toxic, has virtually no nasty side effects (unless you have allergies) and can really make a difference.
The book is about patient empowerment at its best. Oncologists do not know it all, although they tend to think they do, and so it is up to the patient to find their path. Many other things have helped me, meditation, acupuncture, reflexology etc, but this was the book that allowed me to see how much the patient can contribute to their own healing on so many levels.
As soon as I read the cover I knew that this was the book for me. Prof Plant has had breast cancer and was told to go and get her things in order. Instead she started to research a dietary approach to dealing with this disease. As I turned the pages I could feel what Plant was saying was the right approach for me.
A few months later one tumour could no longer be detected, and the rest were stable or decreasing. That was nearly four years ago. My health may not be perfect, but this approach has really worked for me.
I know that some people find it to be a difficult book to read, but read it with an open mind and see if you think this can work for you. In my case I had nothing to lose. This book fundamentally gave me hope and a way to move forward. A way to wrench back the power from the cancer by using food as medicine. This is non toxic, has virtually no nasty side effects (unless you have allergies) and can really make a difference.
The book is about patient empowerment at its best. Oncologists do not know it all, although they tend to think they do, and so it is up to the patient to find their path. Many other things have helped me, meditation, acupuncture, reflexology etc, but this was the book that allowed me to see how much the patient can contribute to their own healing on so many levels.
October 8, 2018
I first read this book when I was doing a translation internship at the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network. I was a real eye-opener, to say the least! I gave up eating dairy as soon as I read it (before I finished reading it, in fact!) and I really feel this is one of the best things I've ever done for my health.
The author explains in very easy to understand terms the link between consuming dairy and developing cancer, while she recounts her own ordeal with breast cancer and how she found out, using sound research and analytical methods, that eliminating dairy foods helps avoid breast, ovarian and prostate cancer (among others), and that it also helps with treatment.
When I first read this book, I was outraged that all this vital information was not readily available to the general public. At least, I was happy to find the book - in both French and English - available at my local library in Gatineau. I have since purchased it because it is one of those important books that I think I will be re-reading periodically. I especially recommend Chapter Two, in which the author explains what cancer is, and Chapter Four, in which she explains the effects of the growth hormone rBGH on cows (and their milk--AND their meat) and explains what the IGF-I hormone in milk does to our bodies.
There has been more information made available lately about the effects of dairy and the benefits of eating a vegan diet. I think this book should be part of everyone's health primer. For those who don't enjoy reading, there are also several good documentaries out there, many of them are available on Netflix, so there is less and less of an excuse for not knowing. I think people owe it to their health to educate themselves about food. The title of this book is very à propos: Your Life in Your Hands. It's a must-read, if you ask me.
------------------------------------------------------------
My first review, from May 2013:
Il s’agit du témoignage personnel d’une survivante du cancer du sein qui est scientifique. Son regard objectif sur sa maladie lui a permis d’en dépister la cause et de trouver une façon de la combattre. À lire!
Le début du livre présente l’histoire de l’auteure : elle se présente d’abord comme scientifique pour ensuite raconter son itinéraire du cancer, depuis la découverte d’un nodule dans son sein gauche jusqu’à sa guérison, en passant par les recherches faites pour découvrir la cause de sa maladie, les traitements subis et les multiples récidives de son cancer avant que, finalement, il disparaisse. Ce premier chapitre est difficile à lire du point de vue émotionnel. Lorsque Jane Plant raconte que, à peine six semaines après avoir fini ses séances de radiothérapie, une nouvelle tumeur s’est présentée, le lecteur ressentira le désespoir, l’angoisse et la frustration de l’auteure.
Ce que Jane Plant fait très bien dans ce livre, c’est qu’elle raconte de façon objective tout ce qui lui est arrivé, même les erreurs qu’elle a commises. Comme elle dit au début du premier chapitre, « J’ai voulu vous informer comme le ferait une amie qui prendrait soin de vous et vous guiderait vers la sortie du tunnel. » Ainsi, elle raconte ce qui s’est passé pour la convaincre qu’elle avait besoin d’une mastectomie, puis, ce qu’elle a su par la suite pour la faire croire qu’en fin de compte cette intervention n’était peut-être pas nécessaire pour elle.
La partie la plus importante de ce que l’auteure raconte, c’est comment elle a découvert la cause du cancer du sein. (C’est aussi une des causes du cancer de la prostate.) Il s’agit d’un risque tellement facile à éviter qu’on se demande pourquoi on ne nous l’a pas dit avant. (La réponse est évidente : l’argent, toujours l’argent.)
Jane Plant travaille au British Geological Survey (Institut d’études géologiques britannique). Elle a reçu en cadeau, de la part de collègues chinois, le livre Atlas of Cancer Mortality in the People’s Republic of China (Atlas de la mortalité due au cancer dans la République Populaire de Chine). Ce dernier lui a permis de faire le premier pas vers la découverte de la cause du cancer du sein (et de la prostate). En effet, les Chinois ne mangent pas de produits laitiers et c’est là le secret de la cause.
L’importance de Votre vie entre vos mains réside dans l’énoncé de l’auteure qu’il existe un lien entre les produits laitiers et le cancer du sein semblable à celui entre la cigarette et le cancer des poumons. Mais, en plus de cela, c’est un livre important parce qu’il explique pourquoi les produits laitiers ne sont pas bons pour la consommation humaine. Une partie de l’explication est très facile à comprendre, car il est expliqué en termes simples que le lait, c’est bon pour les veaux, les chevreaux et les agneaux (même avant d’arriver aux hormones et antibiotiques qu’on administre aux animaux dont on boit le lait!) L’autre partie, plus scientifique et parlant de différents types d’hormones contenues dans le lait, exige une lecture plus concentrée. Néanmoins, le message est clair.
Aussi dans le livre, l’auteure explique tous les processus de diagnostic et de traitement que peuvent rencontrer les femmes atteintes du cancer du sein. Elle offre aussi des conseils pour éliminer les produits laitiers de son alimentation, en plus de dire par quoi remplacer les éléments importants dont le corps a besoin. Par exemple, le tofu contient beaucoup de calcium.
Le livre contient des explications claires qui montrent de quoi le corps a besoin et pourquoi, ainsi que des recettes santé. L’auteure propose sept principes diététiques pour diminuer le risque de développer un cancer du sein ou de la prostate. De plus, elle propose des variantes du régime préconisé selon que la personne lutte contre le cancer ou si elle désire le prévenir ou prévenir une récidive.
En somme, le livre est très intéressant et très utile. Conseillé à tous.
The author explains in very easy to understand terms the link between consuming dairy and developing cancer, while she recounts her own ordeal with breast cancer and how she found out, using sound research and analytical methods, that eliminating dairy foods helps avoid breast, ovarian and prostate cancer (among others), and that it also helps with treatment.
When I first read this book, I was outraged that all this vital information was not readily available to the general public. At least, I was happy to find the book - in both French and English - available at my local library in Gatineau. I have since purchased it because it is one of those important books that I think I will be re-reading periodically. I especially recommend Chapter Two, in which the author explains what cancer is, and Chapter Four, in which she explains the effects of the growth hormone rBGH on cows (and their milk--AND their meat) and explains what the IGF-I hormone in milk does to our bodies.
There has been more information made available lately about the effects of dairy and the benefits of eating a vegan diet. I think this book should be part of everyone's health primer. For those who don't enjoy reading, there are also several good documentaries out there, many of them are available on Netflix, so there is less and less of an excuse for not knowing. I think people owe it to their health to educate themselves about food. The title of this book is very à propos: Your Life in Your Hands. It's a must-read, if you ask me.
------------------------------------------------------------
My first review, from May 2013:
Il s’agit du témoignage personnel d’une survivante du cancer du sein qui est scientifique. Son regard objectif sur sa maladie lui a permis d’en dépister la cause et de trouver une façon de la combattre. À lire!
Le début du livre présente l’histoire de l’auteure : elle se présente d’abord comme scientifique pour ensuite raconter son itinéraire du cancer, depuis la découverte d’un nodule dans son sein gauche jusqu’à sa guérison, en passant par les recherches faites pour découvrir la cause de sa maladie, les traitements subis et les multiples récidives de son cancer avant que, finalement, il disparaisse. Ce premier chapitre est difficile à lire du point de vue émotionnel. Lorsque Jane Plant raconte que, à peine six semaines après avoir fini ses séances de radiothérapie, une nouvelle tumeur s’est présentée, le lecteur ressentira le désespoir, l’angoisse et la frustration de l’auteure.
Ce que Jane Plant fait très bien dans ce livre, c’est qu’elle raconte de façon objective tout ce qui lui est arrivé, même les erreurs qu’elle a commises. Comme elle dit au début du premier chapitre, « J’ai voulu vous informer comme le ferait une amie qui prendrait soin de vous et vous guiderait vers la sortie du tunnel. » Ainsi, elle raconte ce qui s’est passé pour la convaincre qu’elle avait besoin d’une mastectomie, puis, ce qu’elle a su par la suite pour la faire croire qu’en fin de compte cette intervention n’était peut-être pas nécessaire pour elle.
La partie la plus importante de ce que l’auteure raconte, c’est comment elle a découvert la cause du cancer du sein. (C’est aussi une des causes du cancer de la prostate.) Il s’agit d’un risque tellement facile à éviter qu’on se demande pourquoi on ne nous l’a pas dit avant. (La réponse est évidente : l’argent, toujours l’argent.)
Jane Plant travaille au British Geological Survey (Institut d’études géologiques britannique). Elle a reçu en cadeau, de la part de collègues chinois, le livre Atlas of Cancer Mortality in the People’s Republic of China (Atlas de la mortalité due au cancer dans la République Populaire de Chine). Ce dernier lui a permis de faire le premier pas vers la découverte de la cause du cancer du sein (et de la prostate). En effet, les Chinois ne mangent pas de produits laitiers et c’est là le secret de la cause.
L’importance de Votre vie entre vos mains réside dans l’énoncé de l’auteure qu’il existe un lien entre les produits laitiers et le cancer du sein semblable à celui entre la cigarette et le cancer des poumons. Mais, en plus de cela, c’est un livre important parce qu’il explique pourquoi les produits laitiers ne sont pas bons pour la consommation humaine. Une partie de l’explication est très facile à comprendre, car il est expliqué en termes simples que le lait, c’est bon pour les veaux, les chevreaux et les agneaux (même avant d’arriver aux hormones et antibiotiques qu’on administre aux animaux dont on boit le lait!) L’autre partie, plus scientifique et parlant de différents types d’hormones contenues dans le lait, exige une lecture plus concentrée. Néanmoins, le message est clair.
Aussi dans le livre, l’auteure explique tous les processus de diagnostic et de traitement que peuvent rencontrer les femmes atteintes du cancer du sein. Elle offre aussi des conseils pour éliminer les produits laitiers de son alimentation, en plus de dire par quoi remplacer les éléments importants dont le corps a besoin. Par exemple, le tofu contient beaucoup de calcium.
Le livre contient des explications claires qui montrent de quoi le corps a besoin et pourquoi, ainsi que des recettes santé. L’auteure propose sept principes diététiques pour diminuer le risque de développer un cancer du sein ou de la prostate. De plus, elle propose des variantes du régime préconisé selon que la personne lutte contre le cancer ou si elle désire le prévenir ou prévenir une récidive.
En somme, le livre est très intéressant et très utile. Conseillé à tous.
November 14, 2012
This book changed my life and helped to stop me from repeating lifestyle mistakes. A definitive and well researched scientific book for anyone who has been touched by cancer.
Read
July 10, 2020Читала російською. У цій книжці цікаво пояснені деякі гормони, зокрема гормон росту.
Основний поінт автора — це те що всі молочні продукти потенційно шкідливі. Не впевнена, що вона знайома з аюрведою. 😃
Але, до речі, мені один аюрведичний лікар казав, що зараз багатьом людям треба відмовитись від глютену й молока, принаймні на деякий час.
Автор вилікувалась від повторюваного раку, і прожила ще приблизно 20 років, тому ця книжка пройшла bullshit тест 😂
Основний поінт автора — це те що всі молочні продукти потенційно шкідливі. Не впевнена, що вона знайома з аюрведою. 😃
Але, до речі, мені один аюрведичний лікар казав, що зараз багатьом людям треба відмовитись від глютену й молока, принаймні на деякий час.
Автор вилікувалась від повторюваного раку, і прожила ще приблизно 20 років, тому ця книжка пройшла bullshit тест 😂
December 8, 2019
Jane Plant's `Your Life in Your Hands' introduced me to the concept of Breast Cancer Prevention, but one further breast cancer and ovarian cyst later I value most of her writing but have several points of diversion.
A major point in this book is the hormonal nature of milk and how removing milk from the diet regressed her own cancer. She uses the information on the low rate of breast cancers in isolated areas of Asia where milk is not part of the diet. I agree with her on not having milk in your diet because of its hormonal nature and have no milk in my own diet but these isolated lifestyles were also free of chemicals and reliant on food they grew themselves using physical effort. Their diets were also predominantly plant based and from nutrient rich soils. These factors are also important in creating breast cancer free diets.
A second concept strong in Jane Plant's book where she and I diverge is the inclusion of soy in a breast cancer prevention diet. I have no soy products in my diet. Good organic soy is fine for those who have no breast cancer in their genetics or history, but for the rest of us the estrogenic nature of this product leaves it a high risk food. My own doctor has given it a definite NO.
Other concepts introduced in this book for example the dangers of plastic usage and an awareness of environmental toxins were informative and started my journey towards a changed lifestyle.
Understanding, overcoming and preventing breast cancer is not a simple journey but a beginning of a new way of living not just for the individual but the planet.
The latest science for example that glyphosate used in Roundup the world’s most widely used herbicide is capable of driving estrogen receptor mediated breast cancer cell proliferation within the infinitesimal parts per trillion concentration range is particularly frightening and means continuing Jane Plant's journey in prevention is one of ongoing discernment for all who want to understand, prevent and overcome breast and ovarian cancer.
A major point in this book is the hormonal nature of milk and how removing milk from the diet regressed her own cancer. She uses the information on the low rate of breast cancers in isolated areas of Asia where milk is not part of the diet. I agree with her on not having milk in your diet because of its hormonal nature and have no milk in my own diet but these isolated lifestyles were also free of chemicals and reliant on food they grew themselves using physical effort. Their diets were also predominantly plant based and from nutrient rich soils. These factors are also important in creating breast cancer free diets.
A second concept strong in Jane Plant's book where she and I diverge is the inclusion of soy in a breast cancer prevention diet. I have no soy products in my diet. Good organic soy is fine for those who have no breast cancer in their genetics or history, but for the rest of us the estrogenic nature of this product leaves it a high risk food. My own doctor has given it a definite NO.
Other concepts introduced in this book for example the dangers of plastic usage and an awareness of environmental toxins were informative and started my journey towards a changed lifestyle.
Understanding, overcoming and preventing breast cancer is not a simple journey but a beginning of a new way of living not just for the individual but the planet.
The latest science for example that glyphosate used in Roundup the world’s most widely used herbicide is capable of driving estrogen receptor mediated breast cancer cell proliferation within the infinitesimal parts per trillion concentration range is particularly frightening and means continuing Jane Plant's journey in prevention is one of ongoing discernment for all who want to understand, prevent and overcome breast and ovarian cancer.
March 30, 2013
The core message of this book is excellent and extremely relevant for men and women today - consumption of dairy products is linked to breast and prostate cancer. The author is a scientist and gives a detailed explanation of the connection in Chapter 4. I would give that chapter alone 5 stars.
The author has a very impressive story - she had 5 recurrences of breast cancer and was given 6 months to live. Now, decades later, she is still alive and attributes her recovery to eliminating dairy from her diet. Her passion for her path makes the rest of the book less impressive - less scientific, based on her opinion and experiences, and somewhat contradictory. For example, she recommends no dairy, which I agree with wholeheartedly, but then recommends eating organic meat. She recommends drinking beer which is odd considering that alcohol consumption is linked to increased risk of breast cancer. She refers to kinesiology muscle testing as mumbo jumbo. She criticizes Louise Hay for writing that cancer is related to deep emotional pain but then in the next chapter says that she's known many women who've gotten breast cancer after dealing with very emotionally stressful situations in their lives and talks about some of her own deeply painful issues. If you take one message away from the book, it should be about the link between dairy consumption and disease. Take the rest of the book with a grain of salt. For more on this topic, see Colin Campbell's book The China Study or any of Joel Fuhrman's books.
The author has a very impressive story - she had 5 recurrences of breast cancer and was given 6 months to live. Now, decades later, she is still alive and attributes her recovery to eliminating dairy from her diet. Her passion for her path makes the rest of the book less impressive - less scientific, based on her opinion and experiences, and somewhat contradictory. For example, she recommends no dairy, which I agree with wholeheartedly, but then recommends eating organic meat. She recommends drinking beer which is odd considering that alcohol consumption is linked to increased risk of breast cancer. She refers to kinesiology muscle testing as mumbo jumbo. She criticizes Louise Hay for writing that cancer is related to deep emotional pain but then in the next chapter says that she's known many women who've gotten breast cancer after dealing with very emotionally stressful situations in their lives and talks about some of her own deeply painful issues. If you take one message away from the book, it should be about the link between dairy consumption and disease. Take the rest of the book with a grain of salt. For more on this topic, see Colin Campbell's book The China Study or any of Joel Fuhrman's books.
April 4, 2016
الكاتبة ما اثبتت ان الحليب نفسه ممكن يسبب السرطان وخصوصا سرطان الثدي..اغلب كلامها عن السموم البيئية اللي دخلت جسم البقرة و امتزجت بحليبها ..يعني عادي نشرب حليب عضوي؟؟ ليش لا؟؟ ليش نصحتنا بالحليب النباتي فقط؟ وش مشكلة الحليب العضوي؟؟
اغلب الكتاب يتكلم عن تجربة الكاتبة مع مرض السرطان..جزء صغير تكلمت فيه عن الحليب لذلك كان مفروض انها تسمي الكتاب:تجربتي مع مرض السرطان بدل الحليب هو السبب
كتاب ممل وفيه معلومات معروفة وقديمة ومكررة
اغلب الكتاب يتكلم عن تجربة الكاتبة مع مرض السرطان..جزء صغير تكلمت فيه عن الحليب لذلك كان مفروض انها تسمي الكتاب:تجربتي مع مرض السرطان بدل الحليب هو السبب
كتاب ممل وفيه معلومات معروفة وقديمة ومكررة
August 17, 2025
Very interesting. Will need to verify many of the key proposals made by Jane plant. As she says, most of them are not standard, although There is science shown to back up many. I will look for supporting evidence elsewhere before making any conclusions.
I enjoyed reading the book. Well laid out and easy to read as well as being compelling.
I enjoyed reading the book. Well laid out and easy to read as well as being compelling.
September 8, 2015
Lots of good practical advice, all scientifically-backed – on the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Some good recipes also. Much of the advice in this book are things that I already knew and are therefore a good reminder, but also so very hard to follow, especially when one may need to follow her plan strictly.
March 29, 2012
كان بداية جيدة للقراءة حول "السرطان والطب البديل".. ربما أقرؤه ثانية لاستيعاب أفضل.
April 12, 2015
A book loaded with great advice. This book kick started me onto a program for better health.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews