Bathsheba's Breast: Women, Cancer, and History

by James S. Olson

Overview

An absorbing and unsettling history of breast cancer told through the stories of women who have confronted it from ancient times to the present.

A Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year

In 1967, an Italian surgeon touring Amsterdam’s Rijks museum stopped in front of Rembrandt’s Bathsheba at Her Bath and noticed an asymmetry to Bathsheba’s left breast; it seemed distended, swollen near the armpit, discolored, and marked with a distinctive pitting. The physician learned that Rembrandt’s model, Hendrickje Stoffels, later died after a long illness. He conjectured that the cause of her death was almost certainly breast cancer.

In Bathsheba’s Breast, James S. Olson traces the history of breast cancer through women’s experiences of the disease across epochs and continents. The stories range from the sixth-century Byzantine empress Theodora, who chose to die rather than lose her breast to Dr. Jerri Nielson, who was evacuated from the South Pole in 1999 after performing a biopsy on her own breast and self-administering chemotherapy.

Olson explores every facet of the disease: medicine’s evolving understanding of its pathology and treatment options; its cultural significance; the political and economic logic that has dictated the terms of a war on a “woman’s disease”; and the rise of patient activism.

“An invaluable aid to those breast cancer survivors with an interest in taking the long view of their illness.” —Nick Owchar Los Angeles Times

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801876622
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	04/27/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	850,060
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

James S. Olson is Distinguished Professor and Chair of the history department at Sam Houston State University. He is co-author (with Randy Roberts) of both Winning Is the Only Thing: Sports in America since 1945, available from Johns Hopkins, and John Wayne: American.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Prologue: Across Time
1. Dark Ages
2. "Unkindest Cut of All": The Origins of the Mastectomy
3. William Stewart Halsted and the Radical Mastectomy
4. Superradicals and the Medicine of Mutilation
5. New Beginnings: Assault on the Radical Mastectomy
6. Beauty and the Breast: The Great American Obsession
7. Out of the Closet: Breast Cancer in the 1970s
8. Patient Heal Thyself: Quacks and Cures in the Age of Narcissism
9. Choices: Medical Treatment in the Age of Liberation
10. The Breast Cancer Wars
11. Biology, Society, and Destiny
Epilogue: The New Millennium
Notes
Index

Editorial Reviews

A well-written, accessible account of the history of breast cancer from ancient times to today . . . Olson simultaneously presents a history of breast cancer, culture, and science. His multi-layered analysis of the history of breast cancer is most striking when he demonstrates the differing attitudes toward therapy that American and European medical practitioners hold; and how the development of medicine in different areas of the globe affects the way breast cancer is treated . . . Overall, Olson's book is a satisfying examination of the history of breast cancer. It would be a welcome addition to a course dedicated to the history of medicine, the history of women in medicine, or gender history.
—Karol K. Weaver, H-Women, H-Net Reviews

An engaging historical survey of the interplay between the science of breast cancer and the wider culture of which it is a part.
—Richard Horton, Times Literary Supplement

An engrossing history . . . This book is definitely a thought-provoking read and reminds us that some diseases and their physical and emotional trauma transcend time.
—Sharon DeBartolo Carmack, Family Tree Magazine

An invaluable aid to those breast cancer survivors with an interest in taking the long view of their illness . . . Today's cancer research offers plenty of hope to all those courageous people on the journey initiated by their diagnosis, and Bathsheba's Breast is an important traveling companion whose most promising chapters have yet to be written.
—Nick Owchar, Los Angeles Times

Historian James S. Olson provides us with an extremely interesting and often terrifying history of breast cancer through the ages . . . An excellent, moving and informative read.
—CancerFutures

In elegant, captivating prose, Bathsheba's Breast brings to life dramatic tales to illustrate the history of breast cancer treatment . . . The historical detail and absorbing storytelling appeal equally to scholarly and general audiences.
—Paula Viterbo, History: Reviews of New Books

James Olson's compelling book suggests that breast cancer is one of history's oldest diseases. From Queen Atossa of Persia, daughter of Cyrus, consort of Darius, mother of Xerxes, to Dr. Jerri Nielsen, isolated from medical help in Antarctica, who self-diagnosed and self-treated her cancer, he tells stories of the sufferers, their doctors and their treatments . . . It is impossible to read this book without being moved—by pity, horror, awe and respect at the suffering of ordinary women whose normal lives were cut short by abnormal malignancy; by anger at the longevity of some of the barbaric treatments and the dismissive arrogance of mutilating surgeons; but finally by hope that molecular biology, genetic counselling, and pharmaceutical innovation will produce if not a cure, then techniques to transform the disease from an acute killer into a treatable, chronic malaise.
—Tilli Tansey, History Today

James S. Olson has taken on the task of recounting the entire history of breast cancer—from Queen Atossa, who lived in Babylon in 490 B.C., to Dr. Jerri Nielsen, who was trapped in Antarctica in 1999—and has done it in a concise, attractive, enjoyable book.
—Susan Lester, New England Journal of Medicine

Provides a fascinating view of the ways in which culture, politics, and science interact . . . A lucid account of an ongoing war on a changing battlefield with at least the hope of new weapons.
—Kirkus Reviews

Provides a most readable survey contrasting past and present options for breast cancer treatment.
—Library Bookwatch

Utilizing accounts of the experiences of well-known historical figures from Anne of Austria to Linda McCartney, the author weaves a story important to every woman who fears breast cancer and to all those who care about her. An excellent, thought-provoking reference for lay audiences as well as health care professionals.
—Choice

In sum, Bathsheba's Breast does an admirable job of summarizing the history of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
—Barron H. Lerner, Bulletin of the History of Medicine

Olsen embarks on the complicated, current history of the multiple choices for the treatment of breast cancer since 1970 . . . the inclusion of individual stories makes the debates very real and the outcomes not always positive.
—Mary Tarbox, EdD, RN, Nursing History Review

Olson . . . has written a book that is part history, packed with fascinating details about important figures from ancient times to the present, and part history of medicine . . . beyond all that, the author—who lost an arm to a recurring cancer and last year was diagnosed with brain cancer—bares his own humility.
—Marina Pisano, San Antonio Express-News

Honesty and empathy make the book worthwhile for lay and professional readers alike.
—Jessica B. Mandell, Journal of Clinical Investigation

[Olson's] honesty and empathy make the book worthwhile for lay and professional readers alike.
—Journal of Clinical Investigation

From the Publisher

[Olson's] honesty and empathy make the book worthwhile for lay and professional readers alike.

Journal of Clinical Investigation

Utilizing accounts of the experiences of well-known historical figures from Anne of Austria to Linda McCartney, the author weaves a story important to every woman who fears breast cancer and to all those who care about her. An excellent, thought-provoking reference for lay audiences as well as health care professionals.

Choice

A well-written, accessible account of the history of breast cancer from ancient times to today . . . Olson simultaneously presents a history of breast cancer, culture, and science. His multi-layered analysis of the history of breast cancer is most striking when he demonstrates the differing attitudes toward therapy that American and European medical practitioners hold; and how the development of medicine in different areas of the globe affects the way breast cancer is treated . . . Overall, Olson's book is a satisfying examination of the history of breast cancer. It would be a welcome addition to a course dedicated to the history of medicine, the history of women in medicine, or gender history.

H-Women, H-Net Reviews - Karol K. Weaver

An engaging historical survey of the interplay between the science of breast cancer and the wider culture of which it is a part.

Times Literary Supplement - Richard Horton

James Olson's compelling book suggests that breast cancer is one of history's oldest diseases. From Queen Atossa of Persia, daughter of Cyrus, consort of Darius, mother of Xerxes, to Dr. Jerri Nielsen, isolated from medical help in Antarctica, who self-diagnosed and self-treated her cancer, he tells stories of the sufferers, their doctors and their treatments . . . It is impossible to read this book without being moved—by pity, horror, awe and respect at the suffering of ordinary women whose normal lives were cut short by abnormal malignancy; by anger at the longevity of some of the barbaric treatments and the dismissive arrogance of mutilating surgeons; but finally by hope that molecular biology, genetic counselling, and pharmaceutical innovation will produce if not a cure, then techniques to transform the disease from an acute killer into a treatable, chronic malaise.

History Today - Tilli Tansey

Historian James S. Olson provides us with an extremely interesting and often terrifying history of breast cancer through the ages . . . An excellent, moving and informative read.

CancerFutures

James S. Olson has taken on the task of recounting the entire history of breast cancer—from Queen Atossa, who lived in Babylon in 490 B.C., to Dr. Jerri Nielsen, who was trapped in Antarctica in 1999—and has done it in a concise, attractive, enjoyable book.

New England Journal of Medicine - Susan Lester

Honesty and empathy make the book worthwhile for lay and professional readers alike.

Journal of Clinical Investigation - Jessica B. Mandell

In elegant, captivating prose, Bathsheba's Breast brings to life dramatic tales to illustrate the history of breast cancer treatment . . . The historical detail and absorbing storytelling appeal equally to scholarly and general audiences.

History: Reviews of New Books - Paula Viterbo

An invaluable aid to those breast cancer survivors with an interest in taking the long view of their illness . . . Today's cancer research offers plenty of hope to all those courageous people on the journey initiated by their diagnosis, and Bathsheba's Breast is an important traveling companion whose most promising chapters have yet to be written.

Los Angeles Times - Nick Owchar

Olsen embarks on the complicated, current history of the multiple choices for the treatment of breast cancer since 1970 . . . the inclusion of individual stories makes the debates very real and the outcomes not always positive.

Nursing History Review - Mary Tarbox

In sum, Bathsheba's Breast does an admirable job of summarizing the history of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Bulletin of the History of Medicine - Barron H. Lerner

An engrossing history . . . This book is definitely a thought-provoking read and reminds us that some diseases and their physical and emotional trauma transcend time.

Family Tree Magazine - Sharon DeBartolo Carmack

Olson . . . has written a book that is part history, packed with fascinating details about important figures from ancient times to the present, and part history of medicine . . . beyond all that, the author—who lost an arm to a recurring cancer and last year was diagnosed with brain cancer—bares his own humility.

San Antonio Express-News - Marina Pisano

Provides a most readable survey contrasting past and present options for breast cancer treatment.

Library Bookwatch

Olson... has written a book that is part history, packed with fascinating details about important figures from ancient times to the present, and part history of medicine... beyond all that, the author—who lost an arm to a recurring cancer and last year was diagnosed with brain cancer—bares his own humility.

— Marina Pisano

San Antonio Express-News

Olsen embarks on the complicated, current history of the multiple choices for the treatment of breast cancer since 1970... the inclusion of individual stories makes the debates very real and the outcomes not always positive.

— Mary Tarbox, EdD, RN

Nursing History Review

In sum, Bathsheba's Breast does an admirable job of summarizing the history of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

— Barron H. Lerner

Bulletin of the History of Medicine

James S. Olson has taken on the task of recounting the entire history of breast cancer—from Queen Atossa, who lived in Babylon in 490 B.C., to Dr. Jerri Nielsen, who was trapped in Antarctica in 1999—and has done it in a concise, attractive, enjoyable book.

— Susan Lester

New England Journal of Medicine

James Olson's compelling book suggests that breast cancer is one of history's oldest diseases. From Queen Atossa of Persia, daughter of Cyrus, consort of Darius, mother of Xerxes, to Dr. Jerri Nielsen, isolated from medical help in Antarctica, who self-diagnosed and self-treated her cancer, he tells stories of the sufferers, their doctors and their treatments... It is impossible to read this book without being moved—by pity, horror, awe and respect at the suffering of ordinary women whose normal lives were cut short by abnormal malignancy; by anger at the longevity of some of the barbaric treatments and the dismissive arrogance of mutilating surgeons; but finally by hope that molecular biology, genetic counselling, and pharmaceutical innovation will produce if not a cure, then techniques to transform the disease from an acute killer into a treatable, chronic malaise.

— Tilli Tansey

History Today

In elegant, captivating prose, Bathsheba's Breast brings to life dramatic tales to illustrate the history of breast cancer treatment... The historical detail and absorbing storytelling appeal equally to scholarly and general audiences.

— Paula Viterbo

History: Reviews of New Books

An invaluable aid to those breast cancer survivors with an interest in taking the long view of their illness... Today's cancer research offers plenty of hope to all those courageous people on the journey initiated by their diagnosis, and Bathsheba's Breast is an important traveling companion whose most promising chapters have yet to be written.

— Nick Owchar

Los Angeles Times

An engrossing history... This book is definitely a thought-provoking read and reminds us that some diseases and their physical and emotional trauma transcend time.

— Sharon DeBartolo Carmack

Family Tree Magazine

An engaging historical survey of the interplay between the science of breast cancer and the wider culture of which it is a part.

— Richard Horton

Times Literary Supplement