First, You Cry: An Inspiring Breast Cancer Memoir of Transformation and New Beginnings

by Betty Rollin

NBC News correspondent Betty Rollin, glamorous,  successful, and happily married, had it all -- and then she learned that she had a malignant tumor in her breast.  Written with wit, warmth, and soul searching honesty, First, You Cry is the inspiring, true story about how one woman transformed the most terrifying ordeal of her life into a new beginning.  Now with a new introduction and epilogue, this unique memoir serves as a fascinating retrospective of the twenty-five years since Rollin's first mastectomy and, given the continuing threat of breast cancer, tells a story that will inform all women as it touches them with its honesty and even, humor.

Genres: Memoir, Biography, Nonfiction, Health, Medicine, Journalism, Autobiography

222 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Betty Rollin is a TV correspondent, an accomplished author and a captivating speaker. A former correspondent for NBC News, her special reports for Nightly News included a series on the Native Americans of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, which won both the duPont and Emmy awards. She now contributes reports for PBS' Religion and Ethics Newsweekly.

Rollin is the author of seven books, including "First, You Cry", a moving story - the first of its kind - about her breast cancer and mastectomy. Published in 1976 and re-published in 2000 in honor of the author's 25th "cancer anniversary", it received wide critical acclaim and was made into a television movie starring Mary Tyler Moore as Ms. Rollin.

Her newest book, Here's the Bright Side (of Failure, Fear, Cancer, Divorce and Other Bum Raps), was published by Random House in April, 2007.

Her bestseller Last Wish, published in 1985 and republished in 1998 deals with the suicide of her terminally ill mother. One critic called it "a document of personal compassion and public importance." The book has been published in 18 foreign countries and was made into a TV movie, which aired on ABC in 1992, starring Patty Duke and Maureen Stapleton.

Rollin first joined NBC in 1972 as a reporter for the newsmagazine, Chronolog and during 1972 she was the on-air theater critic for WNBC-TV, New York. She later created and anchored a series of NBC News's special programs for and about women titled Women Like Us. In January of 1973 she was named a correspondent for NBC News. In this position, she reported on human-interest stories, which remain her main focus as a journalist. In 1982 she became a contributing correspondent for ABC News Nightline. She left that position to write Last Wish and returned to NBC News in 1984.

Prior to her television career, Betty Rollin was an associate feature editor and staff writer for Vogue magazine. Following that, she became a senior editor for Look magazine, where she remained until the publication was discontinued in 1971. She has contributed articles to many national magazines, including The New York Times where she was also a Hers columnist.

A native New Yorker, Rollin is a graduate of Fieldston Ethical Culture School in Riverdale, NY and Sarah Lawrence College. She and her husband, Dr. Harold M. Edwards, a mathematician, live in Manhattan.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A painfully honest memoir of Betty Rollin's experience with breast cancer at a time when so much less was known and still less was spoken of.

I remember hearing about this book back in the 70s. I read it now because I am dealing with my own life challenges. It was helpful to read someone being so direct and honest about her feelings and experience. It may not be the same as my own experience nor, since I am a different person, will her feelings necessarily be the same but her honesty gives me permission to be honest with myself about my own feelings and not feel alone. Whatever the situation, someone else has dealt with it. We are never completely alone in our vulnerability and I believe we are stronger when we share our challenges.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother had survived two mastectomies, fifteen years apart. I wish this book had been around as I think it would have helped her with the emotions and fear that she went through. The author's story about being diagnosed with breast cancer, going through surgery and treatment, is a poignant one.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of us start off by reading a book, followed by watching any movies based on that book. But there are times when we might see a movie, then, years later, read the book that the movie was based on.

In 1978, First, You Cry, by Betty Rollin came out as a made-for-T.V. movie, starring Mary Tyler Moore and Anthony Perkins. Decent movie, decent acting, as I remember. So, when I ran across the twenty-fifth anniversary copy of the book, I picked it up. It took me a while to read it.

The book deals with Betty Rollin's breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, and subsequent learning to get on with life. As anyone dealing with a cancer diagnosis, or, at least, a cancer scare knows, this is no easy feat: not the diagnosis, the surgery, nor the learning to get on with life. But Ms. Rollins lets the reader know that it is doable, that one can get on with life. Of course, First, You Cry.

The twenty-fifth anniversary copy relays that after the initial publication of the book, she endured a second mastectomy. (At this writing, she is still alive.)

While the paperback is 222 pages long, First, You Cry, by Betty Rollin is a quick read, and one should be widely read.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an old book written in the 70's when breast cancer wasn't talked about in public. Rollin was a trailblazer in that she chose to write very candidly about her experience as a 39-year old. Her book description starts with:

NBC News correspondent Betty Rollin, glamorous, successful, and happily married, had it all -- and then she learned that she had a malignant tumor in her breast.

Well, actually if you read her book she tells you that she was not at all happily married. Yes, she lived a glamorous and charmed life and behaved like a spoiled princess, but she popped Valium like they were M&Ms and washed them down with alcohol. Reading her book 42 years after its first publication reminds me of how much has changed in the world of medicine and what we consider acceptable for health and well-being. Like, smoking in patient hospital rooms and at the doctor's office. (gasp!)

As well, 42 years later our best and brightest minds still haven't figured out cancer. It continues to confound us, taking too many to an early death while allowing others, like this author, to continue living to the present age of 82 years after two engagements (nine years apart) with breast cancer.

[Roberta Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book 38 years ago when I had my own physical trauma to deal with (not Cancer) but life changing. At the time I couldn't find any other books about women (or men) who were dealing with such difficult, painful life changing health situations. I was so grateful to read First You Cry. I've just re-read it and I'm glad that I did. Although we had different health problems they are both life long problems and since I've been dealing with mine for many years now, I got a different view and feeling about what Betty Rolin went through. I could think more about her health trauma and not just about mine. Still a very good read - a book that stands up through time.

[Manahyl Gilani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betty is a vivacious, confident and beautiful newreporter for NBC. She is well known and respected at work and comes home to a solid, charismatic husband who, like her, is a writer. Her marriage, though far from perfect, is home. Betty comes from a wealthy family and has never been unsuccessful, or for that matter, even sick. But then the lump on her breast, previously brushed off as "benign" by several medical personel is deemed so, no longer.

[MaryAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting story of the author’s experience dealing with breast cancer. While I can’t identify totally, I am feeling some of the same things she did. It’s a complicated disease this cancer business.

[Karen Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring true story. A helpful read for those of us who've battled breast cancer.

[Mary Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her journey day by day through discovery, losing a breast, loss and anger....to finally being able to say she was thankful for the cancer which made her embrace living

[Kris]

You definitely cry first. Then you decide if you want to display some of the strength this woman has.

[Mary Hammock · Rating 3 out of 5]

232 pages

[peg · Rating 4 out of 5]

First You Cry is Betty Roland's inspiring account of her struggle with breast cancer. Writing this memoir was a brave undertaking in 1976 when women had just begun to speak openly about this wide-spread,life-threatening disease.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book as a teenager, when I borrowed it from my Mom, and it seemed almost militant at that time for a woman to actually write about her breast cancer. Although no longer revolutionary, it was still a very good read..well-written, totally honest, and engrossing.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I found out that I had breast cancer my bff had me read this book. I'm glad I read it BEFORE my true nightmare began, because it gave me information on what I might expect.

[Judy]

quick to read with some profound thoughts on the changes of being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Her honesty makes a good attempt at touching her real experience.

[Maggie Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent book about the FEELINGS to deal with when you are diagnosed with breast cancer

[Laurie Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book - very honest and heartfelt.

[Glennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting look at how breast cancer was treated back in 1975. I remember the movie where Mary Tyler Moore played the role of Betty. The search for a "nipple" was quite memorable.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to watch her telecasts on the evening news.