Suggest a library resource
Books on Breast Cancer
A Woman's Initiation: Women's Experiences with Breast Cancer and How it Transformed Their Lives by Diana Murphy - A Woman's Initiation is a collection of stories about eighteen ordinary women living unexamined, unchallenged lives. Then each was diagnosed with breast cancer. After initially struggling with the intruder in her characteristic style, each woman surrendered, allowing cancer to strip her clean of her old skin, making way for a new, more authentic self to emerge.
After Breast Cancer: A Common-Sense Guide to Life After Treatment by Hester Hill Licsw Schnipper - As women quickly discover, their life when treatment ends is very different from what it was before their diagnosis. Often exhausted, anxious, and emotionally volatile, they are beset by physical discomforts, fearful of intimacy, afraid for their children, worried about recurrence. Anticipating a return to “normalcy,” they discover that the old version of normal no longer applies. There could be no more knowledgeable guide for women embarking on this complicated journey than Hester Hill Schnipper, who is herself both an experienced oncology social worker and a breast cancer survivor.
Be a Survivor: Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment, Third Edition (Book and DVD) by Vladimir Lange - A unique book-with-DVD combination that informs and empowers Dr. Vladimir Lange is a Harvard Medical School trained physician, nationally recognized for patient education programs. When his wife, also a physician, was diagnosed with breast cancer, both were overwhelmed by the complexity of the information they had to process. Be a Survivor was inspired by their desire to make the journey easier for others. Be a Survivor is the "must read" book for every woman diagnosed with breast cancer, and for those who care for her. The book is: COMPLETE – it covers all aspects of the disease – from diagnosis, to breast reconstruction, conventional and complementary therapies, and life after cancer. It also includes a chapter for the woman’s husband or partner. ACCURATE – rather than reflecting a single specialist’s point of view, the book is based on the combined experience and wisdom of 28 experts in various fields. REASSURING – written with compassion and understanding, the book also includes candid stories by survivors and their partners.
B.O.O.B.S.: A Bunch of Outrageous Breast-Cancer Survivors Tell Their Stories of Courage, Hope and Healing by Ann Kempner Fisher (Editor) - B.O.O.B.S. shares the personal experiences of ten courageous women—from shocking diagnosis to surgery and beyond—and the effect breast cancer has had on them and on the people in their lives. Brought together by the Wellness Community, a program offering cost-free psychological support to cancer patients and their loved ones, the ten women in this book strongly believe in the healing power of group therapy and peer sharing. Some of them have even become patient advocates and spokeswomen in a quest to make a difference in the lives of other women coping with breast cancer, a disease that strikes more than 200,000 women every year in the United States. Written with insight, humor, raw emotion, and honesty, B.O.O.B.S. offers hope to women facing breast cancer. It also offers families and friends insights into what their loved ones are going through.
Body and Soul: The Courage and Beauty of Breast Cancer Survivors by Jean Karotkin - Body and Soul is a collection of striking black-and-white images of breast cancer survivors. It presents a thoroughly inspiring and original look at a critically important subject for millions of women. Through its moving profiles and photographs, BODY & SOUL connects readers with seventy photos of women whose inner strength heightens their outer beauty. Capturing moments of laughter and joy, attitude and pride, determination and dignity, the book provides an inspiring and original look at a critically important concern for millions of women
The Breast Cancer Book: What You Need to Know to Make Informed Decisions by Ruth H. Grobstein - Drawing on her many years of experience with breast cancer patients, Dr. Ruth H. Grobstein provides exactly the information they want and need in order to make the best health decisions. Her jargon-free book deals with general issues of interest to all women—mammography, hormone replacement therapy, risk factors for breast cancer, and more—as well as the numerous issues that patients diagnosed with breast cancer confront. Her book will be an indispensable companion, providing reliable information for patients on the journey through a sometimes confusing and impersonal medical system.
Breast Cancer: Daughters Tell Their Stories by Julianne S. Oktay - This insightful book tells the stories of women whose mothers had breast cancer. It uses their own voices to express the common fears and expectations of daughters in the periods before and during their mothers’ illnesses, involving genetic risks, death and dying, and changes in their relationships. The case studies, tables and figures, and two appendices will benefit health professionals and counselors, while the poignant narratives will help mothers and daughters better understand their experiences with breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Husband: How to Help Your Wife (and Yourself) Through Diagnosis, Treatement, and Beyond by Marc Silver - Silver, an editor at U.S. News & World Report, speaks encouragingly in this heartfelt, useful guide for men whose wives or girlfriends have been diagnosed with breast cancer, as was his wife, Marsha, in 2001.
Breast Cancer: One Illness, Two Women, Four Seasons by Mary Ellen Havard and Mary Openlander - Breast Cancer: One Illness, Two Women, Four Seasons combines the yearlong journals kept by two women, one with breast cancer and the other a Trager therapist. Their recorded impressions and experiences speak both to the fears and challenges of cancer diagnosis and treatment and to cancer as transformative---fostering a reordering of priorities, the deepening and strengthening of relationships, and a renewed sense of self. The account portrays a personal journey toward healing through the act of recorded reflection, with the support of family, friends, receptive health care professionals, and one caring therapist, in particular. The book relates one woman's experience, revealing how illness can offer opportunities for growth and how empathic care can help to redefine what it means to "get well."
The Breast Cancer Survival Manual: A Step by Step Guide for the Woman with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer by John Link, M.D., Cynthia Forsthoff, M.D. and James Waisman, M.D. - An invaluable guide for women who have just been diagnosed with breast cancer, Dr. John Link helps sort through the confusion and the fear, by explaining such things as how to get a second opinion and how to understand a pathology report.
Cancer Dance by Cathy McClain (Sacramento/Natomas Resident) - When Cathy was diagnosed with breast cancer, she saw an opportunity to educate and inspire family and friends about her journey. During her year of treatments and recovery, she wrote weekly e-mail updates that informed and entertained readers through humor and insight. Cancer Dance (the book) is the collection of Cathy’s updates that brought tears, laughter and uplifting encouragement to family, friends and other cancer survivors. Beginning with medical information and procedures and continuing through new-found spiritual experiences, Cathy’s updates intertwine her cancer journey with an otherwise intriguing life.Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person: A Memoir in Comics by Miriam Engelberg - a cartoonist examines her experience with breast cancer in an irreverent and humorous graphic memoir.
Cancer Vixen: A True Story by Marisa Acocella Marchetto - “What happens when a shoe-crazy, lipstick-obsessed, wine-swilling, pasta-slurping, fashion-fanatic, single-forever, about-to-get-married big-city girl cartoonist with a fabulous life finds . . . a lump in her breast?” That’s the question that sets this powerful, funny, and poignant graphic memoir in motion. In vivid color and with a taboo-breaking sense of humor, Marisa Acocella Marchetto tells the story of her eleven-month, ultimately triumphant bout with breast cancer—from diagnosis to cure, and every challenging step in between.
Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul: Stories to Inspire, Support and Heal by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Mary Olsen Kelly - From the newly diagnosed to long term survivors and their friends and families, "Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul" shares stories of hope and healing. Heartwarming accounts of courageous women who found the strength to battle cancer with endless hope, unwavering faith and steadfast determination will empower readers to take charge of their healing process, adopt a positive attitude, and motivate them to fight and persevere in the face of what may seem like insurmountable odds. Readers will be moved to both laughter and tears as they share the lives of women, and a few men, who have fought the battle against breast cancer and won.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Breast Cancer by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Edward Creagan - This new series from Chicken Soup for the Soul - inspirational stories followed by positive, practical medical advice for caregivers and patients - is the perfect blend of emotional support and vital information on breast cancer including: understanding your diagnosis working with your doctor talking with friends and family treatment options from baldness to breastforms emotional healing conquering side effects alternative therapies finding support groups thriving with breast cancer Chicken Soup for the Soul partners with top doctors to give you the information you need to survive-and the positive inspiration to thrive. Each book features beautifully written stories plus information on diet, lifestyle, diagnosis, procedures, caregiving, emotional issues and alternative therapies from some of the world's foremost experts.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Living with Breast Cancer by Sharon Sorenson and Suzanne Metzger - This guide is for breast cancer patients, their spouses and children, and their families, co-workers, and friends. The author hopes to answer the practical, everyday life questions that every breast cancer patient or loved one has. The book provides information, recommendations, tips, and inspiration for everything from that first biopsy to the five-year check-up.
Dancing With Fear: Tips and Wisdom from Breast Cancer Survivors by Leila Peltosaari - 125 women share their real-life experience through treatments, recovery, aftermath, and reclaiming life after breast cancer.
The Death of Mammography: How Our Best Defense Against Breast Cancer is Being Driven to Extinction by by Rene' Jackson, R.N., and Alberto Righi, M.D. - Today, the best diagnostic tool for detecting breast cancer is being driven to extinction by outrageous lawsuits, and here's how women must fight back. Early detection of breast cancer can make the difference between life and death. But the number of women needing regular mammograms outpaces the capacity of dwindling ranks of radiologists able and willing to read a mammogram.
Dr. Michael Hunter's Breast Cancer Made Simple by Michael Hunter, M.D. and Sarah M. Voccola - It is a frightening experience to hear the words "You have breast cancer." Now what? How can women turn those dreadful words into the first step on a journey of education? Dr. Michael Hunter's Breast Cancer Made Simple offers an easy-to-understand guide. Topics covered include basics (an overview of cancer, anatomy, cancer spread, and risk factors), detection (biopsy options, benign changes, breast cancer types, margins, and more), pathology (under the microscope), staging (extent of cancer), prognosis, management (surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and more), and aftercare. Included is a comprehensive toolbox containing resources such as abbreviations, a glossary, index, and helpful sources (telephone, internet, etc.).
Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book by Susan M. Love, M.D. with Karen Lindsay - Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book has been considered the bible of breast-care books since it appeared in 1990. In 1995, Love completely updated the book in a 600-page second edition, including new biopsy and screening methods, implants, the pros and cons of hormone therapy, new discoveries in breast-cancer treatment, and many other topics.
Hat That Saved My Life: A Story about Surviving Breast Cancer by Becky Olson and Don Roff - This is a story of a woman's journey through a diagnoses of advanced breast. Prior to her diagnosis, she was a very competetive top sales woman for a very large cmpany. The news of her cancer diagnosis stopped her cold. She shares how her life changed after the fact. She shared many poignant moments in her life with the readers. The story is very inspirational. Lots of good humor.
Just Get Me Through This! A Practical Guide to Coping with Breast Cancer by Deborah A. Cohen and Robert M. Gelfand M.D. - It's hard to believe that a breast cancer guide can be fun, but breast cancer survivor Cohen and oncologist Gelfand have produced a book that combines medical information with the kind of warm, funny, rueful sharing a woman gets from a good talk with her girlfriends. The authors understand that surviving an illness as emotionally and physically traumatic as breast cancer requires help not only with big issues but also with apparently trivial ones.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer: A Survivor's Guide for When Treatment Ends and the Rest of Your Life Begins by Marisa Weiss and Ellen Weiss - Living Beyond Breast Cancer is comprehensive--at more than 500 pages, it has the room to thoroughly cover pain control and medication, genetic testing, weight management, hormone and tamoxifen therapy, alternative treatments such as traditional Chinese medicine, breast reconstruction, and the various tests for recurrence, from PET and CAT scans to MRIs and blood testing for cancer markers. It's also a superb reference for emotional issues, from depression and generalized anxiety to insecurities about reentering the job market and revealing the cancer experience to coworkers. Weiss includes many quotes from breast-cancer survivors, so readers know they're not alone. The extensive resources and excellent index add to this book's immense helpfulness.
My One-Night Stand With Cancer: A Memoir by Tania Katan - When Tania Katan was 21 years old she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She survived, minus a breast. Exactly 10 years later it happened again. By age 31 Katan was a two-time breast cancer survivor with the scars to prove it and a sense of humor forged by the unthinkable. Her memoir, loaded with rage and blistering humor, tells the tale of living through two bouts with death and is woven through with stories of picking up women while bald, coping with her supportive but neurotic family, running in two 10K races, and pledging to never ever date a psychotic woman again. An unforgettable account of survival.
Nordie's at Noon: The Personal Stories of Four Women "Too Young" for Breast Cancer by Patti Balwanz, Kim Carlos, Jennifer Johnson, and Jana Peters - Nordie’s at Noon shares the personal stories of each of these extraordinary women. A source of humor, strength, inspiration, and education, the book will speak to anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer or faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge. A celebration of friendship and of living life to the fullest, Nordie’s at Noon is also a book that will encourage women everywhere to be proactive with their health—and realize that no one is "too young" for breast cancer.
Only If You Really Want to Know: Breast Cancer Coping Hints And Treatment Side Effects by Catharine Bracken Scott, Nancy Bracken Fuller - This is a guide for coping with the treatments of breast cancer and their side effects. Catharine tells what may be expected by the more than 200,000 American women each year who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Helpful tips on comfort, diet, record keeping, medical terms and other ways to ease daily living are included, along with encouragement and a positive attitude for eventual recovery. "This book contains the information I wish had been available to me after my own diagnosis and during my subsequent breast cancer treatments." -Catharine Scott
Smiling Thru the Tears: A Breast Cancer Survivor Odyssey by Pamela deLeon-Lewis - Known for her down-home style and sense of humor, Pamela deLeon-Lewis delivers an ultimatum to cancer. In pristine poetic form, Ms. deLeon-Lewis, standing firmly on faith, wages an all-out battle with breast cancer. "This battle you may've started, but I intend to win the war," echoes throughout this inspirational, motivational, and awe- inspiring book; Smiling Thru the Tears makes a great gift for anyone and everyone who has had to fight to survive.
Stealing Second Base: A Breast Cancer Survivor's Experience and Breast Cancer Expert's Story by Lillie Shockney - Lillie Shockney shares her unique, empowering, and often humorous story about her journey from medical professional, wife, and mother to becoming a breast cancer patient, patient advocate, and nationally recognized breast cancer expert, lending her emotional support and medical advice to help lead breast cancer patients and families through their own journey with this life altering disease. This must-have book combines the author's motivational and medical expertise to provide practical, important information.
Thanks for the Mammogram!: Fighting Cancer With Faith, Hope, and a Healthy Dose of Laughter by Laura Jensen Walker - Could anyone write a humorous book about breast cancer? By sharing the story that began with her diagnosis on her first wedding anniversary, Walker has. "Some couples get monogrammed stationery, or beautiful coffee table books or colorful picnic ware," she writes. "I got cancer. Not exactly a gift that can be returned.
The Victoria's Secret Catalog Never Stops Coming (and Other Lessons I Learned From Breast Cancer) by Jennie Nash - Touching and courageous, this book blends the medical realities of breast cancer with the wise and thoughtful opinions of author Jennie Nash. Nash shares every step of her experience with breast cancer, from the first mammogram to the final reconstructive surgery, in a series of "lessons" that divide chapters into stories that are equally meaningful to survivors and their friends and families.
Waiting for Wings: A Woman's Metamorphosis Through Cancer by Heidi J. Marble - In this story of survival and of healing, Heidi Marble takes you through her transformation from despair to hope and beyond. Intertwined throughout the book are photographs, journal entries and personal insights. The photography is a blend of the artistry of several amazing friends who have lovingly documented her metamorphosis. There are references to nests, birds and butterflies, which she describes as delicate reminders of hope. Her oncologist writes in his forward, "Heidi was diagnosed at a very young age with inflammatory breast cancer. This is a virulent form of breast cancer that is fast growing and has a tendency to spread early and quickly. Heidi was determined to survive. She would survive for her child. She would survive for her husband. She would survive for herself. She did survive, against the odds, and at a great price.
Top of page
Books on Cancer in General
After Cancer Treatment: Heal Faster, Better, Stronger by Julie K Silver, M.D. - Dr. Julie Silver offers a holistic approach to healing after cancer treatment, one that uses clinical medicine as a springboard for describing a variety of approaches that can lead to better quality of life for cancer survivors. Silver, a cancer survivor herself and a physiatrist at Harvard University whose job as a doctor is to help people feel better, draws on her professional and personal experience to help other survivors feel more well, get stronger, and develop an emotional base to help them cope with their new status as cancer survivor. She includes the latest evidence about what people can do (including exercise and diet) to decrease the chances that the cancer will recur--something nearly every cancer survivor focuses on. Dr. Silver relates her own story in broad, touching strokes and interweaves the stories of other cancer survivors whose inspirational and validating narratives provide a backdrop for the practical advice forming the core of the book.
The Cancer Survivor's Guide: The Essential Handbook to Life after Cancer by Michael Feuerstein and Patricia Findley - The Cancer Survivor's Guide is the first book to offer a proven step-by-step healthcare program for life after cancer. Dr. Feuerstein knows firsthand what life after cancer truly means and his 7-step self-management system is a result of personal experience as well as extensive research, resulting in a program that's rooted in very pragmatic sensibility coupled with a sense of "realistic optimism."
Cancer Has Its Privileges: Stories of Hope and Laughter by Christine Clifford, Arnold Palmer (introduction) - Cancer survivor and founder of The Cancer Club, Christine Clifford has been sharing her inspiring, humorous outlook on living with cancer with thousands of cancer patients and their families. Now she has gathered a collection of battlefield stories and anecdotes from her fellow survivors that go from the outright hilarious to the downright moving, and combined them with her own personal story of triumphant survival.
Help Me Live: 20 Things People with Cancer Want You to Know by Lori Hope - An intimate guide for families, partners, and friends of individuals diagnosed with cancer, detailing 20 messages to help loved ones communicate effectively. Appendices include specific advice geared toward special circumstances like workplace issues, children, and rare cancers; 15 common words, phrases, and questions that can sting; 15 fabulous things people did and said; 20 movies and books to know about; and more.
Live Strong: Inspirational Stories from Cancer Survivors-from Diagnosis to Treatment and Beyond by The Lance Armstrong Foundation - Since the now ubiquitous LIVESTRONG™ wristbands became available in May 2004, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has raised more than $50 million for cancer survivorship programs, and the signature phrase has become a battle cry for those who fight the disease every day. Now, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has compiled, from hours of videotaped interviews, poignant and dramatic personal accounts from cancer survivors. Covering a wide range of subjects, from grief to spousal relationships, employment discrimination to coping with medical bills, infertility to fear of recurrence, survivors share their experiences and speak candidly about how cancer has impacted their lives. For twenty-four-year-old Amy it’s how her illness changed her relationship with her parents. Mike, a male survivor of breast cancer, talks about gender stereotypes and genetic testing. And Eric, the father of a five-year-old survivor of a brain tumor, recalls how friends and strangers helped his family with financial issues and how the experience brought him and his wife closer together.
Turning Heads: Portraits of Grace, Inspiration, and Possibilities by Jackson Hunsicker (Editor) - Hats and head scarves are nowhere to be seen in these portraits of women who have lost their hair during treatment for cancer. Each picture, taken by a well-known photographer, captures bald women too intent on work or play to be bashful about their looks—among others, Melissa Etheridge belts out a Janis Joplin tune at the 2005 Grammys, a rodeo cowgirl poses with the cowboys, a surfer climbs a wave in Hawaii, and a nun scrutinizes her poker hand. A foreword and afterword by the author describe the genesis of the book, her own experience with cancer and hair loss, and the brave women who posed for pictures. Photo credits and profiles are provided for the photographers, who include Eddie Adams, Debbie Fleming Caffery, Reuben Cox, Rob Gauthier, Lauren Greenfield, David Hume Kennerly, Antonin Kratchovil, Harry Langdon, Gerd Ludwig, Jay Maisel, Catherine Opie, Harvey Stein, Nick Vedros, and Annie Wells.
Top of page
Books for Children
Because Someone I Love Has Cancer: Kids' Activity Book (Spiral-bound) by American Cancer Society - Offers children support, encouragement, and opportunity for imaginative personal expression. This publication is designed to address the basic goals of therapeutic support for children between the ages of 6 and 12 who have a loved one with cancer.
Metu and Lee Learn about Breast Cancer by Dr. Shenin Sachedina - Metu and Lee Learn about Breast Cancer is a children's book writen for children, ages 5 years and above, whose mothers have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It discusses surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and the child's fears all in easy to understand terms. It is written by Dr. Shenin Sachedina, a board certified breast surgeon. It is illustrated with characters like chemo cammando and radiation rod. Other characters include good cells and bad cells.
Our Family Has Cancer, Too! by Christine Clifford - Providing comfort through the knowledge that "you are not alone," Our Family Has Cancer, Too! Is an ideal gift for children ages 7-12 whose families have been touched to cancer. A special "Questions to Ask" section invites kids to write down their questions for parents, doctors, teachers, and others. Additional worksheets inspire family members to draw and record their feelings for later discussion. Powerful "Stop and Discuss" suggestions throughout the book encourage dialogue between parents and children. The book also contains a glossary of the most common words kids might hear when someone in their family has cancer.
Our Mom Has Cancer by Adrienne Ackermann and Abigail Ackermann - Two sisters, ages eleven and thirteen, describe what it was like for them when their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy.
Paper Chain by Claire Blake, Eliza Blanchard, and Kathy Parkinson - The purpose of this book is frankly bibliotherapeutic: to explain to young children what happens when a woman is treated for breast cancer. The vehicle is a story about Marcus and Ben, whose mother undergoes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Simple explanations of these procedures are given in a matter-of-fact but gentle and positive tone. Mom loses her hair and must rest a lot during her treatments. Sometimes the boys feel sad and cross because she can't enjoy the activities she once did, and their parents help them understand their emotions. In time, the woman regains her strength and her hair grows back, and the children are delighted, but the text clearly states that she will be closely monitored by her doctor to check for signs of the disease's return. The book, which is factual but not frightening, would be very helpful for families dealing with other forms of cancer and serious illnesses in general. Large, lively watercolors in cheerful colors show loving adults and the boys mostly at home.
Promises by Elizabeth Mahony Winthrop and Betsy Lewin - PreSchool-Grade 4-Sarah, a young girl whose parent is undergoing treatment for cancer, describes her day-to-day life, expressing a wide range of emotions. Her happiness that her mother is well enough to take a walk turns to fury as a classmate they meet asks why the woman doesn't have any hair. Sarah often feels angry, and longs for the time before the illness. She insists on visiting her mother at the hospital, and is then afraid to see her. Things take a turn for the better when Sarah presents her mother with her baseball cap so that she won't "look funny." As the woman's health slowly improves, Sarah tries to make her promise that she won't be sick anymore. Instead, Mom makes promises that can be kept, like stopping for ice cream and reading a favorite book, adding, "Tomorrow we can think of more." Winthrop handles a difficult situation with honesty, empathy, and small touches of humor. The first-person narration keeps the focus on Sarah, who relates events from a child's point of view. Lewin's watercolor-and-pen illustrations reflect the emotional nature of the text, while balancing the serious tone with warm colors and comfortable everyday scenes. The book ends on a hopeful note, which is nicely reflected in the smiling faces of mother and daughter.
The Rainbow Feelings of Cancer A Book for Children Who Have a Loved One with by Carrie Martin and Chia Martin - When Chia Martin was diagnosed with cancer, she found her daughter Carrie's artwork a catalyst to their communication. This beautiful, heartwarming book features Carrie's art and writing about the emotions evoked by her mother's illness. Describing her own fears, difficulties and hopes, Carrie doesn't tell her readers what to feel; rather, she gently invites them into her world, offering them an opportunity to speak, draw, or consider their own feelings. Children need to share their feelings and ask questions, especially in stressful times -- and this book subtly and warmly encourages conversation between children and those who love them.
Sammy's Mommy Has Cancer by Sherry Kohlenberg (Author), Lauri Crow (Illustrator) - When Kohlenberg was diagnosed with breast cancer, she wrote this book for her young son, to help him understand what was happening to her. In spare simple language against the rich backdrop of Crow's pastels, this is a comforting guide for children facing a difficult time.
Tickles Tabitha's Cancer-tankerous Mommy by Amelia Frahm (Author), Elizabeth Schultz (Illustrator) - Recommended by critics from every industry including- entertainment, medical and literary! Such as The Rosie O Donnell Show – Entertainment, National Oncology Nursing Society- Medical, Today’s Librarian, Midwest Book Review, Against the Grain, Today's Dallas Woman and other literary reviewers across the country! Told through the eyes of it's title character, Tickles Tabitha's Cancer-tankerous Mommy uses candor and comic reality to dispel stereotypes and acknowledge some moody truths faced by families LIVING with cancer.
What Is Cancer Anyway?: Explaining Cancer to Children of All Ages by Karen L. Carney - What IS Cancer, Anyway? Explaining Cancer to Children of All Ages is one of the books in the Barklay and Eve Children's Book Series. This book provides basic information that is essential when someone in the family has cancer and does so in a calm, clear, reassuring manner that children and adults will appreciate. Barklay and Eve, the two lovable main characters, define cancer, explain radiation and chemotherapy (including the reasons why some people loose their hair). This is a hopeful story which has a fun connect-the -dots page of the American Cancer Sociey's symbol of hope. THIS BOOK IS ENDORSED BY HURRICANE VOICES, A BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION.
When Mommy Is Sick by Ferne Sherkin-Langer (Author), Kay Life (Illustrator) - PreSchool-Grade 2 In this bibliotherapeutic story, a distressed little girl expresses her feelings when her mother goes to the hospital. Time drags and the child thinks of her constantly. Her understanding father helps her to cross off the days until she can visit and takes her to the hospital. When her mother comes home, normal life happily resumes. The nature of the woman's illness is not specified, but she is hospitalized periodically, which would make the book appropriate for children whose parents require chemotherapy, for example, as well as being generally useful for any parental hospital stay.
>The Year My Mother Was Bald by Ann Speltz (Author), Kate Sternberg (Illustrator) - (Magination Press) Consumer text is a fictional story about family experiences while the mother undergoes cancer treatment. Written from the child's perspective, text attempts to take away much of the mystery and fear surrounding cancer and its treatment. Emphasis is placed on the feelings of the child and how the family bonds together.
Top of page
Books on Health/Fitness/Nutrition
Beating Cancer With Nutrition by Patrick Quillin with Noreen Quillin - This completely revised edition of a 1994 title offers up-to-date information about the human body's own "host defense mechanisms" in the war on cancer, providing a multidisciplinary approach to treatment based on scientific studies and clinical experience.
The Breast Cancer Survivor's Fitness Plan (Harvard Medical School Guides) by Carolyn M. Kaelin, Francesca Coltrera, Josie Gardiner, and Joy Prouty - The first Harvard doctor-approved workout book designed specifically for breast cancer survivors like you. When you are going through cancer treatments, the last thing you feel like doing is exercising--but it can be the key to your well-being and ultimate survival. In an encouraging, compassionate "I’ve been there" tone, Dr. Carolyn Kaelin offers a wealth of practical advice, proven techniques, and much-needed support. Working with experienced Reebok master trainers and breast cancer survivors Josie Gardiner and Joy Prouty, she created a complete program of easy-to-follow exercises that anyone can do at home--even beginners. These safe, simple routines improve your flexibility and balance, rebuild your muscle, shore up your bones, and enhance your appearance, vitality, and all-around health.
Eating Well Through Cancer: Easy Recipes & Recommendations During & After Treatment by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, M.D. - For 15 years, Dr. Miletello, an oncologist, wanted to write a cookbook as one of the most frequently asked questions was, "What should I eat?" Holly Clegg, author of the successful Trim & Terrific cookbook series has answered this question with her common sense approach to cooking and her easy, everyday recipes that has become her trademark for healthy cooking in today's hectic world.
Essential Exercises for Breast Cancer Survivors by Amy Halverstadt - Essential Exercises for Breast Cancer Survivors helps breast cancer patients at every step of their journey.
Fight Cancer with Vitamins and Supplements: A Guide to Prevention and Treatment by Kedar N. Prasad, PH.D. and K. Che Prasad, M.D. - A trenchant, responsible survey of the vitamins that can help treat cancer conditions. Scholarly, readable, of vital importance to the intelligent general public.
Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for Everybody by Donald D., M.D. Hensrud (Editor) - The book emphasizes a lifestyle approach that combines a healthy diet along with exercise to result in a 1- to 2- pound loss each week that is considered safe and effective. The goal is to achieve long-term changes in your food selections and exercise habits that you can maintain for life. This new book from nutrition experts at Mayo Clinic includes a step-by-step 12-week program to get you started on achieving your healthy weight. The program applies the principles of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid to help you make better decisions about what to eat and find ways to add enjoyable exercise to your daily life. Rather than focusing on fat or carbohydrates, Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for Everybody emphasizes the three factors that scientific data link to weight and health--calorie content, a healthy variety of foods and physical activity.
Thriving After Breast Cancer: Essential Healing Exercises for Body and Mind by Sherry Lebed Davis and Stephanie Gunning - Former professional dancer Lebed Davis was an early advocate of exercise after breast cancer. In 1979, with the help of her two brothers, both physicians, she developed a dance-exercise program to help her mother regain movement in her arm following a mastectomy. Lebed Davis began teaching "Focus on Healing" classes to breast cancer survivors locally, and, following her own diagnosis in 1996, she brought the program to hospitals around the country. Her book, most of which is organized by quality of life issues such as "Emotional Recovery," attempts to bring the program to women at home. Most chapters present clear descriptions of stretches (with accompanying photos), dance routines (with music suggestions) and "healing visualizations or meditations.
What to Eat if You Have Cancer by Maureen Keane, M.S. and Daniella Chace, M.S. - Improved dietary habits can support cancer treatment programs; yet too few cancer guides provide much information on just what kind of diet should be followed. Enter this title, written by two licensed nutritionists and focusing on foods which reduce toxicity from chemotherapy and increase the body's recovery process.
Top of page
Books on Lymphedema
Coping with Lymphedema by Nannery and Swirsky - More than 100 million people around the world suffer from lymphedema, a painful, chronic swelling of the limbs and, sometimes, other areas of the body. At least five percent of women who undergo lymph-node surgery for breast cancer treatment will experience it. Written by a breast cancer survivor and a nurse, Coping with Lymphedema fills a definite need, with facts about diagnostic tests; manual lymph drainage and complete decongestive physiotherapy (CDP); medications, including antibiotics, steroids, and benzopyrones; compression garments; and experimental treatments, including acupuncture, biofeedback, meditation, and herbal medicine.
Living Well With Lymphedema by Ann B. Ehrlich, Alma Vinje-Harrewijn, and Elizabeth J. McMahon - Lymphedema is swelling caused by the abnormal accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the skin. Lymphedema can be caused by burns, injury, surgery, radiation therapy, obesity, or circulatory problems. Many breast- and prostate-cancer survivors have, or risk developing, lymphedema. There is also an inherited form. If not treated, lymphedema can be painful and lead to life-threatening infections. This book will help you live well with lymphedema through treatment, self-management, and helpful tips for daily living. It will also help you understand how the lymphatic system works, how lymphedema is diagnosed, how to cope with the emotional challenges of lymphedema, how to find treatment, and deal with insurance issues. Living Well is for those with, or at risk for, lymphedema as well as healthcare professionals, caregivers, and friends and family.
Lymphedema by American Cancer Society - Understand the mystery of cancer-related lymphedema. If you have had cancer treatment, you may be at risk for lymphedema, a buildup of fluid that results in swelling of the arm or leg and other potential complications. Created with the guidance of experts in nursing, oncology, research, and lymphedema care, this up-to-date, practical handbook helps you and your caregiver understand and manage every aspect of lymphedema.
Lymphedema: A Breast Cancer Patient's Guide to Prevention and Healing by Jeannie Burt and Gwen White, P.T. - Lymphedema is a swelling caused by an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in tissues and is common among women who have undergone breast cancer surgery with axillary node dissection and/or radiation. Yet prior to surgery, most women are unaware of this condition and the heartache it can bring. Burt, a human resources consultant and breast cancer patient who has been affected by lymphedema, and White, a physical therapist, have put together an informative little book that should help all women suffering from the condition, at least to some degree.
Overcoming the Emotional Challenges of Lymphedema by Elizabeth Mcmahon - Overcoming the Emotional Challenges of Lymphedema will help you understand the common emotional reactions to lymphedema and improve your coping by using a wide variety of self-help skills and other resources. These skills will help you understand what is going on, change your thinking and your actions, and improve your communications. This comprehensive handbook includes specific information for people with lymphedema, their friends and families, parents of children with lymphedema, medical professionals and psychotherapists.
Top of page
Novels
Crazy Quilt by Paula Paul - Cancer treatment has ravaged Flora Adams's body, not to mention her marriage and her spirit. She plans a visit with her aging aunt to recuperate, but a chance detour introduces her to Mac McIlhaney, an old man who both aggravates and mesmerizes her. Crazy Quilt, set in desolate west Texas, is peopled with a palette of interesting characters including James Willie, the sheriff who wants to rekindle his old love affair with Flora; Jill, a young punk-rocker who thinks she has all the answers; Shorty, the dog with a fondness for wigs; and Lucy Martinez, who is willing to risk everything for Mac and Flora. This detour turns into a labyrinth of emotions that seems to have as little cohesion as an old-fashioned crazy quilt. But what Flora discovers in the end is an oasis of healing that, like love, has turned up in the most unexpected of places.
Destroying Angels (Five Star First Edition Mystery) byGail Lukasik - Leigh Girard, a Chicago native, has fled to Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, a remote artist community on the Door County peninsula, to heal from her recent mastectomy. "Cancer does that - yanks you out of your life," she observes with her usual wryness. Determined to start a new life, she has left her troubled marriage and teaching career to take a job as a reporter with the Door County Gazette. Her first assignment: an obituary. While investigating a wrongful death claim by Eva Peck, the widow of a restoration craftsman, Leigh suspects that Carl Peck didn't die of natural causes, but was murdered. When it's discovered that Peck, an amateur naturalist, died from mushroom poisoning, Leigh's suspicions are confirmed. Yet, according to the locals, murder just doesn't happen here. The case turns even more puzzling when Peck's daughter attempts suicide a week after her friend, the local librarian, kills herself. In the process of solving Peck's murder, Leigh uncovers another murder committed twenty years earlier that links the past with the present. Her obsession with finding the connection between these two murders puts her in conflict with the community and eventually jeopardizes her life. Confronted once again with her own mortality, Leigh finally faces the emotional scar left by her mastectomy.
Hannah Ives Mysteries (6 books) by Marcia Talley.
. Sing It to Her Bones - 1999
Hannah Ives, recovering from a mastectomy and recently the victim of downsizing, accepts her sister-in-law's offer to spend some quiet time in Pearson's Corner, Maryland, away from the stress of D.C. Characters in mystery novels should know better. Soon Hannah has discovered a body, become involved in the murder investigation, and must deal with the fact that her husband has been accused of sexual harassment. Talley's debut is a gentle mystery with a likable narrator. Despite the straight-from-headlines nature of the plot, the novel relies not on sensationalism but on quiet character development for its charm. And, unlike many gentle mysteries, this one doesn't peter out long before the end. Readers expecting nail-biting tension may be a tad disappointed, but the majority of mystery fans will be well pleased. Buy this paperback original now; it won't be long before the Hannah Ives series makes the jump to hardcover. David Pitt
. Unbreathed Memories - 2000
Is the key to a therapist's murder hidden away...in a patient's mind? Is a shrink's death fall a Freudian slip? Hannah Ives has every reason to mind her own business. Having survived a recent bout with breast cancer, she's opting for reconstructive surgery and a fresh start. Her Annapolis home is decorated for better feng shui. Her parents are living close by. And her sister, Georgina, is finally getting help for recurring depression. Everything is coming up roses-until her sister's therapist takes a nosedive off a balcony. Now, with Georgina a prime suspect in the murder, Hannah needs to do some analysis of her own. A few pages torn from an appointment book may hold a crucial clue. And some bizarre memories from her sister's past may point to a motive...if Hannah can keep a clear head and dare to enter the darkness of a killer's twisted mind...
. Occasion of Revenge - 2001
The bride thought they’d live happily ever after — until a murderer struck... The guests were off the wall. The would-be groom was off the wagon. And the bride certainly wasn’t blushing. Aside from that, it was the perfect occasion: a party for Hannah Ives’s widowed father and the younger woman he had suddenly decided to marry. Then the evening takes a strange turn, with a sudden death and disappearance. For Hannah, the stunning turn of events came after a Christmas season slide into anger and confusion. First her father had found a floozy who had already buried three husbands. Then her late mother’s jewelry started showing up around the gold digger’s neck. Now Hannah, who has just put her life together after a bout with cancer, is desperately searching for her missing father. Because this poor man has either made a terrible mistake, committed a terrible crime, or fallen victim to a killer who seized the moment for murder...
. In Death's Shadow - 2004
Hannah Ives struggled bravely through the ravages of illness, and fellow patient Valerie Stone was at her side. As cancer survivors they have a lot to celebrate when they meet again, but their reunion is short-lived. Soon Valerie is dead, and a suspicious Hannah must sift through a mountain of clues trying to uncover the cause of her friend's untimely death. But there are those in the big business of living and dying who think she's becoming too curious ... and it's high time her questions were silenced. Hannah Ives knows what it means to be a survivor. Now she's about to discover what it means to be a target.
. This Enemy Town - 2005
Hannah Ives is always ready to support others like herself who have been through the gauntlet of fear and uncertainty that a diagnosis of cancer often brings. So when friend and fellow survivor Dorothy Hart asks for help building sets for the Naval Academy's upcoming production of Sweeney Todd, Hannah readily agrees. But it means associating with an old foe -- a vindictive officer whose accusations once nearly destroyed Hannah's home life. And when one corpse too many appears during a dress rehearsal of the dark and bloody musical, Hannah finds herself accused of murder -- and enmeshed in a web of treachery and deception that rivals the one that damned the "Demon Barber." Caught up in a drama as sinister as any that has ever unfolded on stage, Hannah stands to lose everything unless she unmasks a killer before the final curtain falls...
. Through the Darkness - 2006
Cancer survivor Hannah Ives looked Death in the eye...and walked away victorious. But the terror she once felt in its shadow pales before the ice-cold fear that now grips her heart in the wake of an unthinkable crime: the kidnapping of Hannah's innocent grandson. One-year-old Tim vanished from the day care center at the luxurious upscale spa his parents recently opened, and the lack of a ransom note suggests the innocent child may have fallen into the hands of the worst sort of fiend. Hannah will find no peace until the boy is found and his abductor punished-;not even taking comfort in the caring words of a dear friend and spiritual advisor whose own life and marriage may be haunted by something dark and sinister. But the hunt may be leading Hannah to places she never dreamed she'd have to go...
Top of page
Magazines
Beyond: Live & Thrive After Breast CancerBeyond: Live & Thrive After Breast Cancer, is a new semi-annual publication from Meredith Special Interest Media, part of the Meredith Corporation. The magazine, which provides women who have or had breast cancer the support and latest information on therapy and recovery, hit newsstands September 19, 2006. It is not available by subscription yet, but the 2nd issue (Spring/Summer 2007) is available now.
Coping With Cancer
Coping® With Cancer is America's consumer magazine for people whose lives have been touched by cancer™. Now in its 19th year of providing knowledge, hope and inspiration, its readers include cancer patients (survivors) and their families, caregivers, healthcare teams and support group leaders.
CURE: Cancer Updates, Research & Education
CURE is a quarterly magazine that combines the science and humanity of cancer for those who have to deal with it on a daily basis. CURE provides scientific information in easy-to-understand language with equally understandable illustrations. CURE is free to cancer patients, their families and caregivers.
Heal: Living Well After CancerComing in May 2007. From the creators of CURE magazine. While CURE focuses on helping readers get well, Heal is about staying well in mind, body and spirit. Heal takes readers to the heart and soul of the cancer survivorship experience with powerful, in-depth coverage of survivors, family, health care professionals, advocates, and others who are intimately tied to recovery and life after cancer. Through features, reviews, columns and other coverage, along with submissions from survivors, readers will be inspired and educated about how to live well after cancer, from finding the best vacations for the chemo-weary to better managing nutrition or finances.
LifeLine
Lifeline is a free Quarterly Publication of Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. When you register your e-mail address with Y-ME, you can receive Y-ME's monthly e-newsletter, Peer to Peer, which provides the latest in breast cancer information and support.
Living with CANCER -- Health MonitorGet a FREE subscription of the Health Monitor newsletter of your choice thtough your healthcare provider.
MAMM Magazine
MAMM is a magazine devoted to meeting the needs of women diagnosed with breast & reproductive cancer.
Top of page
Music
Melissa Etheridge - Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled - This collection covers Melissa Etheridge's 17-year career in 17 dynamic songs, including hits like "Come to My Window," "I Want to Come Over," and "Bring Me Some Water." It also includes four new recordings: her simmering take on Tom Petty's "Refugee"; a reprise of "Piece of My Heart"; an emotional and heartfelt original song called "This Is Not Goodbye"; and the brand-new "I Run for Life," an inspiring anthem for those who, like Etheridge, have had their lives impacted by breast cancer.
Carly Simon - The Bedroom Tapes - For her first original studio album in 6 years, Carly built a studio in what was once her daughter's bedroom. She made demos and recorded songs in there (some later fleshed out in a more professional atmosphere). Having survived breast cancer since her last album, "Scar" indicates that Carly may have found personal strength and courage from her struggle and that the "scar" she now bears is more a badge than an eyesore. On the flipside, "I Forget" finds Carly actually surprised yet thankful that she battled what could have been fatal and lived.
Top of page
Personal Stories
Dina's Diary
Sacramento resident Dina Howard's powerful, first-person documentary about breast cancer... from diagnosis to treatment to survival. Listen Online from KXJZ.
Top of page