A woman's disease : the history of cervical cancer /

Biologist/medical historian Lowry ((French National Institute for Health and Medical Research) sets the tone for A Woman's Disease with accounts of the horrid deaths of three victims of cervical cancer: mathematician/computing pioneer and Countess of Lovelace Ada King (1815-52), Argentina's first lady Eva Peron (1919-52), and British television personality Jade Goody (1981-2009). In the 150 years separating their fates, much has changed but much has stayed the same. What unfolds is an overview of evolving ideologies to define and therapeutic mechanisms to treat the dreaded disease. Because of advances, the disease has been on the decline in wealthier nations of the world, although it remains a scourge among the more impoverished. Especially valuable are discussions about the genesis and usage of the Pap test and the more recent discoveries surrounding human papillomavirus (HPV) and its causative relationship to cervical cancer. Development of the anti-HPV vaccine and the promotion of its acceptance in the 21st century are ongoing concerns voiced in this well-written, thoroughly researched, concise volume deserving of a wide readership. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; general readers. I. Richman emeritus, Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg Campus