THE LUCKY YEARS

A pioneering oncologist explores the latest advancements in general medicine.

In previous volumes, Agus (Medicine and Engineering/Univ. of Southern California; A Short Guide to a Long Life, 2014, etc.) offered useful, accessible health tips for attaining prime physical health. Here, he expands on that platform by addressing readers from a futuristic vantage point and insightfully discusses how recent technological trends have the ability to boost both the medical industry’s ability to effectively treat patients and its public perception, something that has incrementally declined through the last decade. The author’s praise for the legacy of Canadian physician Sir William Osler and his hands-on bedside clinical training approach reminds readers of the importance of making a personal, interactive investment in wellness. At its bare-bones minimum, the book reiterates the enduring importance of quality sleep, sex, and touch, though more enterprising readers interested in breakthrough clinical developments will find Agus’ explorations of gene therapy, immunotherapy, and revolutionary stem cell research highly informative. The author advocates for greater oversight of these technologies by the medical community to avoid careless errors or misuse. He implores those reluctant to embrace newer medical technology to become “comfortable with gadgetry and terminology” since these enhancements can greatly improve quality of life. Rejecting the “one-size-fits-all” generalization of health recommendations today, Agus takes a progressive stance on the subject of customized, precision medicine, though he concurrently acknowledges its perils. He encourages readers to embark on a two-week challenge to track and identify the habits and patterns that may enhance the quest for ideal healthfulness. A section examining the gluten debate is particularly eye-opening, as are opinions on what Agus considers the biased and flawed nature of most medical studies and the hoax of anti-aging gimmickry. The author fully supports the “lucky years” of medical innovation, yet he views this era as a “privilege of the prepared and the knowledgeable”; everyone must remain mindful of their overall well-being.

Practical health information fortified with exciting news from the forefront of modern medical technology.