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.
Dansac Limited
This illustrated booklet aims to guide people with a colostomy through the first months after the operation and help them adapt to life with a stoma. It covers care of the stoma (including changing the bag, disposal of products, and irrigation) going home after the operation, diet and nutrition (including odour, wind, diarrhoea and constipation), clothing, sex and relationships, exercise, going back to work and travel.
Christie Hospital NHS Trust
The aim of this booklet is to teach people a simple exercise programme for use during and after treatment for cancer. It describes what fatigue is, including the signs to look for, and the benefits of exercise. It demonstrates ten exercises with the aid of diagrams. The accompanying DVD teaches a programme of exercises suitable for all ages and abilities.
Target Ovarian Cancer
This video describes the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Lesbian and Gay Foundation
General information for lesbian and bisexual women about the breasts, including breast cancer: what it is; breast awareness; risks; checking the breasts; and routine screening.
Christie Hospital NHS Trust
Designed by dieticians for people with eating difficulties, this booklet describes the supplements available, those that are most suitable, and how each product can be used. Indicates those that are approved for kosher or halal diets.
BUPA
This booklet explains what cancer is and explores some common worries and feelings that children may have - reassuring them that however they react, it’s ok.
BUPA
This booklet explains types of treatment and some of the health professionals who are helping people with cancer to get better.
BUPA
This booklet looks at some of the side-effects of different types of cancer treatments. It also offers ideas for small ways children may like to help out at home.
Christie Hospital NHS Trust
This booklet explains what radiotherapy is, when it will begin, in-patient and outpatient treatment, how treatment is planned, what happens during treatment, possible side-effects, and what happens when treatment ends. It also has sources of further information and support.
Christie Hospital NHS Trust
Advice about what to eat and what not to eat following treatment.
Cancer Laryngectomee Trust
This booklet has details of hospitals believed to handle emergencies of the type that laryngectomees may suffer. It includes flash cards (English, French, Spanish, and German) to help a voiceless laryngectomee indicate what the problem is.
BUPA
An activity booklet to help occupy children at home or in hospital when someone they know has cancer.
Lymphoma Association
This factsheet describes hairy cell leukaemia, a rare cancer of B lymphocytes. It describes who is affected by HCL and what causes it; how it develops; the symptoms; how it is diagnoses; and how it is treated.
Lymphoma Association
Lymphoma is a common type of cancer diagnosed in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This information sheet gives an overview of what to expect and where to find more information and support if you are affected by HIV and lymphoma.
Lymphoma Association
Information about the possible causes of lymphoma.
Christie Hospital NHS Trust
Some illnesses or treatments may make swallowing difficult. This booklet has ideas on how to prepare soft or liquidised foods and how to make food more nourishing by enriching it with dairy produce, fats, sugars and fortified milk. Includes meal suggestions.
British Lung Foundation
Information and support for those caring for someone with a lung condition (not specifically lung cancer).
Prostate Cancer UK
A factsheet for men who have been diagnosed with high-grade prostatic intrapeithelial neoplasia (PIN) or atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) after having a prostate biopsy. It explains what ASAP and 'high-grade' PIN are and how they might be monitored.
University College London Hospital Cancer Collaborative|Fruit Fly Collective
A short film produced with the Fruit Fly Collective to support parents when they decide to tell their children about their cancer diagnosis. It provides guidance about how and when to tell them, and looks at different age groups and how they may feel and behave when they have been told.
SKCIN: The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity
Leaflet with information about skin cancer and how to avoid it, including: sunburn; sunbeds; protecting young children; choosing the right sunscreen; applying sunscreen; at risk groups; types of skin cancer.
Prostate Cancer UK
Bisphosphonates are a group of drugs that can be used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to the bones (advanced prostate cancer). This factsheet describes how bisphosphonates work, the advantages and disadvantages, what treatment involves and the possible side effects.
Christie Hospital NHS Trust
This booklet offers advice on healthy eating with the long-term aim of maintaining weight and preventing weight gain. It explains why it is important to eat well and describes the components of a healthy diet (including fruit and vegetables, starchy foods, protein, dairy foods, soya foods, fats, sugars, alcohol and fluids). It also has advice about what to eat if coping with the side-effects of treatment, such as a dry or sore mouth, changes in taste, difficulties swallowing, feeling full, nausea, diarrhoea and constipation.
Christie Hospital NHS Trust
This booklet has a list of medicines commonly used for pain at the Christie Hospital. It includes information on when and how to take them, the most common side-effects, and advice on what to do if pain is a problem at home.
Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group
This illustrated booklet tells the story of siblings Tom and Jess, whose little brother Ben has cancer. It describes how they cope with the illness and the changes it brings. It is aimed at children under nine.
General Medical Council
This guide explains how to create a partnership with your doctor and get the most out of the consultation.
Pancreatic Cancer Action
A booklet for patients and carers describing the types of pancreatic cyst, their symptoms and risks. It gives detailed information on the diagnostic tests used, the different types of treatment given for cancerous and non-cancerous cysts. It includes a glossary to explain many of the terms used.
Piatkus (Little, Brown Book Group)
Coping with life after cancer can be tough. The idea that the end of successful treatment brings relief and peace just isn't true for countless survivors. Many feel unexpectedly alone, worried and adrift. You're supposed to be getting your life 'back on track' but your life has changed. You have changed. With reassurance and understanding, Dr Frances Goodhart and Lucy Atkins help readers deal with the emotional fallout of cancer whether it's days, months or years since the treatment ended. Drawing on Dr Goodhart's extensive experience working in the NHS with cancer survivors, this guide is packed with practical and simple self-help tools to tackle issues such as worry and anxiety, depression and low mood, anger, low self-esteem and body image, relationships and sex, fatigue, sleep and relaxation. If you are a cancer survivor, this book will support you every step of the way. If you are supporting a loved one, friend, colleague or your patient, this is a vital read. Winner of the 2012 Best Health Book category in the Guild of Health Writers Awards and highly commended in the Popular Medicine category at the BMA Medical Book Awards 2012 this is the first UK book to look in depth at cancer survivorship and its emotional fallout. Government statistics indicate around 2 million people in the UK survive for at least 5 years post diagnosis and this figure is set to increase. This book will be an invaluable resource. (Publisher)
Pancreatic Cancer Action
This booklet for patients and carers contains information about how pancreatic cancer can affect diet and nutrition. It covers managing dietary symptoms such as poor appetite, weight loss and diarrhoea, dietary supplements and diabetes and diet. Contains dietary advice for patients undergoing surgery and for patients undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy.
General Medical Council
This guide explains how to create a partnership with your doctor and get the most out of the consultation.
Prostate Cancer UK
This factsheet describes how high intensity focused ultrasound may be used to treat prostate cancer, who can have it, the advantages and disadvantages, what the treatment involves, and the possible side effects.
Pancreatic Cancer Action
This booklet has information about eating after insertion of a duodenal stent. It describes what to expect and the best foods to eat and avoid.
Christie Hospital NHS Trust
This booklet describes the possible causes of nausea and vomiting, and the drugs that may be prescribed to prevent or treat it (Aprepitant, Cyclizine, Dexamethasone, Domperidone, Haloperidol, Levomepromazine, Lorazepam, Metoclopramide, and Ondansetron). It also has advice on self-help, including complementary therapy.
Pancreatic Cancer Action
Created by dietitians and chefs at University College Cork, this recipe book provides advice on how best to combat cancer-induced weight loss and other eating related problems whilst undergoing pancreatic cancer treatment. It features over 80 quick, easy and energy dense recipes for nourishing meals and snacks that have been created specifically for people who find it hard to maintain a healthy weight.
Prostate Cancer UK
Prostate cancer and its treatment can be a cause of urinary problems. This factsheet describes how different treatments cause these problems and ways to manage them. It includes information on pelvic floor exercises and continence products as well as surgical treatments.
Prostate Cancer UK
This factsheet describes how chemotherapy is used to treat prostate cancer, the advantages and disadvantages, what it involves, the possible side effects and what happens after treatment finishes.
Cancer Laryngectomee Trust
This updated edition contains the original chapters written by Sydney Norgate in 1989 plus additional material by Dr Nicola Oswald on current speech methods and future developments. It will provide help and encouragement to all laryngectomy patients and their families. It is full of practical advice and information, as well as reassurance. The author, who had himself had his larynx removed, wrote from personal experience of the problems caused by the loss of normal speech, and describes the method of learning to use substitute pharyngeal speech. Written in a straightforward, humorous style and illustrated with cartoons 'Laryngectomy is not a Tragedy' has proved to be a valuable source of advice and inspiration to all those who face this operation. (Publisher)
Prostate Cancer UK
This factsheet describes how prostate cancer and its treatment can affect sexuality and fertility. It covers the available treatments for erectile dysfunction and sources of help and support.
Coronet (Hodder & Stoughton)
In 2013 Lynda Bellingham was diagnosed with cancer. Having kept the details of her illness private, now for the very first time Lynda talks with beautiful poignancy about her life since her diagnosis, her family and how together they came to terms with a future they hadn't planned. Having been told that she only has a matter of months left to live and writing this in what will be her final days, There's something I’ve been dying to tell you is a brave and brutally honest memoir and yet Lynda also manages to spread her infectious warmth and humour, bringing light to a very dark time. Woven into this very moving and brave story are extraordinary, colourful tales of her acting and family life that will enlighten and entertain as well as the journey that Lynda has taken to find the family of her birth father having already suffered heartache in her search for her birth mother. In the search for her father's family, Lynda finds a family with a history in entertainment showing that acting was always in the blood. Lynda Bellingham was a tremendously gifted storyteller with a rich collection of tales of love, loss and laughter and this book brings her kind heart, courage and emotion to the page in vivid detail. Lynda's story is an affecting and at times heart-breaking one but it is so often laugh-out-loud too and ultimately the way Lynda tells her life story will serve as a great inspiration. (Publisher)
Macmillan Cancer Support
Thymus gland cancer is cancer that starts in the thymus gland. This information is about two types of thymus gland cancer, called thymoma and thymic carcinoma.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This factsheet explains what breast cancer is and describes the possible causes, the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment options. Includes the English-langage version.
FastPrint Publishing|SKCIN: The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity
This is a story of how a boy became known by a very, very special name. How he spread a message, near and far, and became a Sun Safe Superstar. Helping children learn about the importance of sun safety in a fun and engaging way. (Publisher)
Macmillan Cancer Support
This factsheet explains what breast cancer is and describes the possible causes, the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment options. Includes the English-langage version.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This factsheet explains what breast cancer is and describes the possible causes, the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment options. Includes the English-langage version.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This factsheet explains what cancer is, why surgery might be used to treat it, and how the surgery is carried out. It also describes what to expect before and after the operation, and the possible longer-term complications. Includes the English-language version.
Pancreatic Cancer UK
This factsheet outlines the risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This factsheet explains what breast cancer is and describes the possible causes, the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment options.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This factsheet is about bowel cancer and its treatment. It includes the English-language version.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet is about how you can talk about cancer and share your feelings about cancer. You can find out how talking about cancer can help you.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This factsheet explains what cancer is, why surgery might be used to treat it, and how the surgery is carried out. It also describes what to expect before and after the operation, and the possible longer-term complications. Includes English-language version.
Prostate Cancer UK
This factsheet provides an overview of localised prostate cancer: what it is; what tests are used to diagnose it; grading and staging; treatment options; and choosing treatment.
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