The web Directory of Information Materials for People Affected by Cancer is regularly updated and currently has details of over 1,900 booklets, leaflets, books and audiovisual materials for people affected by cancer. Most have been published in the last five years but we have included some older ones that are still useful.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This factsheet has information about things you can do to help yourself when you have cancer. Includes the English-language version.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet is for people with cancer who would like to travel. It covers issues such as insurance, vaccinations and immunisations, avoiding health problems, taking care in the sun, taking medicines abroad, and stoma care. Includes details of useful organisations.
Colostomy UK
Details of companies that supply skin products to help people with a stoma manage their condition.
Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group
Written to accompany 'Children and young people with cancer: A parent's guide', this factsheet explains what liver tumours are, and describes the signs, symptoms, tests and treatment options.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Booklet for young people aged under 18 who are looking after someone who has cancer. It has been written by young people who have been through the experience and covers some of the practical issues young carers may face.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This audiobook gives a wide range of information about allogeneic (donor) stem cell treatment. It includes a list of helpful organisations.
Colostomy UK
Details of suppliers of bed protection products for people with a stoma.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This factsheet is about what happens at the end of life and how to prepare for it. Includes English language version.
Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group
This illustrated booklet is for children who need a stem cell transplant. Using the story of Ben it explains what stem cells are, what the treatment involves, what happens in hospital and going home.
Austin Macauley
Written as a diary, Lisa Primrose goes through the lows and highs of her experiences after being diagnosed with cancer. She takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster: always positive but not afraid to give the reader a ‘warts and all' description of events. Her interactions with the Health Service are invariably good but she only gets the best out of the system by having a positive attitude to her condition no matter how physically disabling the symptoms are. (Publishers)
Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group
This booklet has detailed information for parents whose child has a brain or spinal tumour. It covers the typical signs and symptoms, diagnosis, the treatment options, clinical trials, supportive care during treatment, and ongoing needs after therapy. Appendices include the structure and function of the brain, a glossary of terms, support groups and useful sources of information.
Colostomy UK
List of solidifying agents and the companies that supply them.
Breast Cancer Care
This factsheet explains briefly what Taxotere® is, when it may be prescribed, how it works, the benefits, and possible side-effects.
Breast Cancer Now
Illustrated credit-card-sized mini-leaflet with information about breast changes.
Breast Cancer Care
This factsheet explains briefly what Taxol® is, when it may be prescribed, how it works, and the possible side-effects.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This factsheet has information about things you can do to help yourself when you have cancer.
Oneworld Publications
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and one of the most feared diagnoses a patient can face. The number of new cases is expected to rise by 70% over the next two decades, but few of us understand what it is, how it affects the body or what can be done to treat and even prevent it. In this illuminating introduction, Dr Paul Scotting explains the science behind the disease and explores the factors that can increase our risk of developing cancer. Fully revised and updated, Cancer: A Beginner’s Guide details the latest breakthroughs, cutting-edge developments and promising new strategies that will help us combat and cure cancer in the future. (Publisher)
Dial Books for Young Readers
Author Jessica Reid Sliwerski was diagnosed with breast cancer four months after giving birth to her daughter. And through all the stages of treatment--surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, losing her hair--she thought about how hard it would be to talk to your child about cancer while coping with it. She wrote this picture book to give other parents and their children an encouraging tool for having those conversations--a lovingly upbeat book that is also refreshingly authentic and straightforward. With its simple text and heartwarming illustrations, Cancer Hates Kisses is relatable to any type of cancer. (Publisher)
NHS Health Scotland
This leaflet describes cervical screening tests after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). It explains what CIN is, what happens after treatment, and why women are now tested for HPV six months after treatment for CIN.
Breast Cancer Care
This booklet provides practical information about breast prostheses (artificial breast forms), bras and clothes for women who have had surgery for breast cancer. Includes photographs, quotes from women, and details of suppliers.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Suggestions to help people get the best care and support after treatment ends and to live as healthy and active a life as possible.
Colostomy UK
Details of insurance companies that specialise in providing cover for ostomates.
NHS Health Scotland
This leaflet describes cervical screening tests after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). It explains what CIN is, what happens after treatment, and why women are now tested for HPV six months after treatment for CIN.
Brolga Publishing Pty
Laughing at cancer is a unique book based on a series of journals following the author's shock diagnosis of bowel cancer at 43. Brimming with humour, insight and sensitivity, it explores how we talk about and view illness, and how changing your mindset can do wonders on the journey to health. Through explanations of mindful healing techniques and the power of laughter, Laughing at cancer is both a touching memoir and powerful healing guide for anyone undergoing a significant health or life challenge, and not specifically cancer. Wellbeing and mindfulness healing techniques at the conclusion of each chapter empower readers and provide strategies to enhance resilience - a factor often diminished by ill health. (Publisher)
Lymphoma Action
This booklet covers what lymphoma is, the tests people might have, the treatments available, and questions to ask doctors.
Self-published using CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
This is the story of a man coming to terms with his own mortality. Originally diagnosed with colon cancer, he fought to survive the treatment, only to find that the disease had spread to his liver. Further surgery saved his life again. It was an experience that helped him realise what he thought he already knew, but really didn’t: that he could die. David I Brown writes with both sensitivity and raging anger. It is an unusual mixture of styles with plenty of black humour peppered in between. Drawing on his keen observations, Brown explains the medical processes he underwent from diagnosis through treatment to recovery and provides us with a harsh but beautifully fierce – almost surreal – understanding of his emotional journey. (Publisher)
Breast Cancer Care
This leaflet uses illustrations to show women how to check their breasts and the changes to look for.
Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group
Illustrated, colour booklet for children following the story of Will, who has radiotherapy to his brain, and Sophie, who has radiotherapy to her stomach.
NHS Health Scotland
This leaflet describes cervical screening tests after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). It explains what CIN is, what happens after treatment, and why women are now tested for HPV six months after treatment for CIN.
Colostomy UK
Details of support organisations for people living with a stoma.
Colostomy UK
Guidance for colostomates on wind, ballooning and odour. Describes what may cause wind, foods to avoid, tips to help reduce wind, what to do if the bag keeps ballooning, and what to do about odour.
Pitch Publishing Ltd
Running has been many things to Jenny Baker – a space to achieve new things, a way to keep fit and healthy, and a source of friendship and community. She had planned a year of running to celebrate her birthday; instead Jenny was hit with a bombshell which rocked her life when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had one question for her oncologist: can I keep running? It gave her a sense of identity through her chemotherapy, while her treatment was stripping away everything that was important to her. Run for Your Life is the story of how she kept running to help her beat cancer, and how it helped her get her life back on track after an intensive spell of treatment and a turbulent time in her life. (Publisher)
Department of Health
Main NHS Smokefree guide to helping smokers quit for good. Features an interactive planner that takes smokers through the four key steps to quitting smoking: Think; Prepare; Quit; Stop for good.
Health Press
In the last few years there has been a revolutionary increase in our knowledge of ovarian cancer management, from detection and genetics to surgery and novel targeted treatment approaches. This means that when it comes to detecting, diagnosing and treating women who have, or are suspected of having, ovarian cancer, there are significant opportunities for the well-informed healthcare professional to intervene in a meaningful way. This resource offers a comprehensive overview of all levels of care, summarizing the most recent advances and putting them in a clinically meaningful context. It answers important questions such as when to operate and when to treat with various modalities, both conventional and novel. We have striven to capture the key knowledge that a busy healthcare professional caring for patients with ovarian cancer needs, in a refreshingly readable concise format. (Publisher)
Headline
In 2005 Emma Hannigan was 32, happily married to her long-time love, with two young children. Her world was shattered when she discovered that she had the rare gene BRCA1, meaning a 50% chance of developing ovarian cancer and an 85% chance of breast cancer. To reduce the risk, Emma had a double mastectomy and both ovaries removed, but in 2007 received the news that cancer had struck anyway. Twelve years later, Emma is battling cancer for the tenth time. With warmth and wisdom, she shares her journey and her advice on everything from skincare and hair loss to how to keep a sense of humour through it all. All to Live For is a story of one woman's determination not to let cancer win; a story of strength and inspiration, hope and love. And of never giving up. (Publisher)
NHS Health Scotland
This leaflet explains what breast screening is, who is offered screening, the benefits and disadvantages of screening, what happens before, during, and after screening, and what it means to be called back. Includes breast awareness advice. Concludes with answers to questions that women may ask.
Colostomy UK
Guidance on obtaining prescription supplies from the supply company, chemist or GP.
Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group
An illustrated, colour booklet for children who are having a stem cell transplant. It describes the bone marrow, the stem cell nurses, the harvest machine, and what happens on the day that the cells are harvested and on the day that they are returned.
Austin Macauley
In Chemo Summer Jane Hoggar takes the reader through a light-hearted and informative account of her discovery of breast cancer and its cure. Cancer of any description has the capacity to chill those it affects and their loved ones. But for Jane Hoggar early discovery and diagnosis provided for a satisfactory resolution. And it's these small details that might well help people in a similar situation. For example, Jane did not discover a lump, which is the usual thing in breast cancer, but a sag' when she raised her arms and it was her insistence that something was wrong that resulted in a vital early medical diagnosis. All the side issues are covered in the book, effects of chemo and radiotherapy, hair loss and wigs, changes in diet and exercise, making Chemo Summer a valuable and engaging look into a serious and often frightening subject. (Publisher)
Fertile Ground Press
During my journey with prostate cancer, I learned that the medical community was selling and I was buying. With prostate cancer you are a consumer, and it is essential that you are aware of the following: 1. Prostate cancer is not just a disease; it is big business. 2. There is no single preferred treatment endorsed by the medical community. 3. There are new lower risk treatments and diagnostic capabilities that many doctors are unaware of or ignore. 4. You must be prepared to ask the right questions to increase your chance of having a good outcome. There are no easy answers when it comes to prostate cancer, but asking informed questions will help light your way, and hopefully either affirm your choices or lead you to a good decision. Read the book, use the prostate cancer check list as a guide, and become your own advocate. Remember, your doctors and your friends will not live with the consequences of your treatment. This burden will be born by you and you alone. Be sure to ask the right questions before selecting a form of treatment. (Author)
Health Press
All health professionals, regardless of specialty, will care for patients with pain that has persisted for more than 6 months. This fully updated fourth edition of Fast Facts: Chronic and Cancer Pain, written by two internationally renowned experts in the field, is designed to bring busy health professionals up to speed with the latest information in this area, including: easy-to-read overviews of pain mechanisms; a practical approach to pain assessment; developments in stepped care and multimodal management; the latest thinking on opioids. With health services around the world responding to calls to improve the management of painful long-term conditions, develop preventive and cost-effective solutions, and respond to patient choice and voice, this easy-to-read fact-packed book is essential reading for all GPs, nurses, junior hospital doctors, physical therapists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, medical specialists and medical students wanting – and needing – to know more. (Publisher)
Fi Munro
In January 2016, at the age of 30, Fi Munro was diagnosed with non-genetic stage four ovarian cancer. In that moment, after months of pain, tests and assurances that it was ‘nothing to worry about’, her instincts were proved right and her worst fears were realised. In the months that followed, understanding her diagnosis, recovery and health became her full-time job. Using her expertise as a researcher she dedicated her time to understanding everything she could about her diagnosis and subsequent prognosis. In this honest, open and often tear-jerking account of her journey back to wholeness, Fi openly shares her story from diagnosis with stage four ‘terminal’ cancer to living an incredible, healthy life full of joy and laughter. This book is a guide for anyone, not just those with cancer, who wants to embrace a happier, healthier and more caring approach to their life. May it bring you hope, peace and, above all, joy. (Publisher)
NHS Health Scotland
This leaflet describes cervical screening tests after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). It explains what CIN is, what happens after treatment, and why women are now tested for HPV six months after treatment for CIN.
AMEND (Association for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Disorders)
This booklet aims to give employers and employees the tools to better manage planning for long-term sick leave, returning to work and applying for a new job.
Colostomy UK
Details of companies that supply seat belt protection and extenders.
Health Press
Prostate cancer is a fast-changing field, and recent advances have significantly improved both the survival and quality of life of many men diagnosed with the disease. As well as providing comprehensive information on the diagnosis, staging and management of the disease, the eighth edition of this ever-popular handbook is an invaluable update on new developments, including: evidence for the debate surrounding PSA screening; a better understanding of molecular and genetic advances; the latest methods of delivering radiotherapy; new drug treatments for castrate-resistant prostate cancer; and survivorship issues. This superbly illustrated handbook is a practical resource for all those who provide support and care for men with prostate cancer - including GPs, nurses and allied health professionals - as well as a refreshingly readable source of information for patients wanting to know more about their condition and its treatment. (Publisher)
Marie Curie
This Easy Read booklet is for people living with an illness that they will probably die from. It tells them about the different people who can help them and care for them.