The Harvard Guide to Women's Health by Karen J. Carlson, MD, Stephanie A Eisenstat, MD and Terra Ziporyn, PhD. (Cambridge: Harvard University Pr., 1996)

Arranged alphabetically, this guide provides comprehensive and concise health-care information designed to help fill in the gaps between medical research and consumer health-care knowledge. Intended to supplement, rather than supplant, medical advice, this book seeks to answer the questions: Is this normal? What should I worry about? What are my options? What can I next expect?

Although intended for a consumer audience, it is more likely to appeal to the well-educated consumer, and could possibly be used as a low-level health sciences or Women's Studies text. References to managed care and periodic health review recommendations, in addition to the organizations included in the resource chapter, are reminders of its American perspective. Sketched illustrations provide clear, uncomplicated representations of female anatomy, medical conditions and procedures, while charts are used to provide comparative and relative information. The final chapter offers contacts and resources for more information, organized topically, and complete with internet, print and organizational references. The index is comprehensive with many entry points into particular topics, but can be somewhat technical for the lay user.

The entry on abortion is straightforward and well-presented with no apparent bias detected. An adequate description of what a Pap smear involves accompanies general guidelines of who should have one and how often. There is limited coverage of lesbian health issues, however, what is presented is unbiased and accurate, isolated as it is within a few pages under the rubric "Sexual Preference". The entry on breast implants is not as strongly worded as many feminist health activists would hope for ie: the connection between silicone and certain autoimmune or connective tissue diseases is dismissed by the authors due to lack of evidence. The coverage of breast health, including lumps and pain, is limited by the available space, but accurate in content. The recommendations regarding mammography are not completely in sync with the Canadian Taskforce on the Periodic Health Examination recommendation. However, the summary of the screening guidelines is clearly presented and useful nonetheless.

A book such as this should arm women with information that can help them to form equal partnerships with their health-care providers, not promote recommendations likely to bring them into immediate conflict. This book accomplishes that goal. The questions the authors sought to address can be found in the clarity of prose and picture, and its use as a primer for particular conditions and procedures is recommended.

Pat Smith
Magaret Shkimba