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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.
Leukaemia Care
This booklet describes atypical chronic myeloid leukaemia (aCML), what causes it, who it affects, what symptoms to expect, and likely treatments. It also covers everyday life with AML and how to talk to your haematologist and family and friends. Includes a glossary and details of further support.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet is about some of the ways you can plan ahead and make choices about your future care if you live in England or Wales. It is for anyone who wants to plan ahead, whether they have a serious illness or not.
Leukaemia Care
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare cancer of the bone marrow. It was previously known as natural killer (NK) cell leukaemia. This booklet explains what it is, and describes the causes, who it affects, what symptoms to expect, how it is diagnosed, and treatment options. It also covers everyday life, managing your emotions, how to talk to your doctor and family and friends, survivorship, palliative care, and end-of-life care. Includes a glossary and details of further support.
Leukaemia Care
This booklet explains what leukaemia is, what tests you might have, and the different treatments you might get.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet is about primary brain tumours. It is for anyone who has been diagnosed with a primary brain tumour. There is also information for carers, family members and friends. The booklet explains the signs and symptoms of a primary brain tumour, and how it is diagnosed and treated. It also has information about emotional, practical and financial issues.
Leukaemia Care
Azacitidine is a chemotherapy drug used for the treatment of adult patients with acute myeloid leukaemia, high risk myelodysplastic syndrome or chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia who are not eligible for stem cell transplant. This booklet is for patients, family or friends of the patient, or a carer who like to know more about this drug. It describes what azacitidine is, how it is given, and the possible side-effects. It also has details of useful information and support.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet explains how care and support is arranged for people with cancer when they are discharged from hospital.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet explains what happens at the end of someone’s life and how to plan for it. It is for anyone nearing the end of life. There is also information for people caring for someone nearing the end of life.
Leukaemia Care
Being told that your child has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) can be a shock and very upsetting, particularly when you may never have heard of the disease. This booklet describes childhood ALL, what causes it, who it affects, how it affects your child’s body, what symptoms to expect and likely treatments. It also covers everyday life and childhood ALL and talking about childhood ALL. Includes a glossary of terms and details of useful contacts and further support.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This leaflet is a guide to making or updating your will. It is for anyone affected by cancer. It also explains how inheritance tax works, and who to contact for more information and support.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet is about looking after someone who has cancer. It explains: what it means to be a carer; who can help support you and the person you care for; the practical, emotional and financial issues you may face, and how to cope with them; ways you can help the person you care for manage symptoms or side effects; how to look after yourself.
Macmillan Cancer Support|Mummy's Star
This booklet is for women who have been diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy. It explains the emotional and practical issues you may experience in this situation. It also talks about the treatment you may have and support that will be available to you.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet explains how certain cancer treatments can cause changes to your appearance. It is for people who have had changes to their skin, nails and hair because of cancer treatment. It gives advice on how to manage these changes to help you feel more like you again. We hope it helps you deal with some of the questions or feelings you may have.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet is for people who have cancer that has come back or spread. This is sometimes called advanced cancer. It looks at some of the concerns you may be dealing with and has advice about ways of coping. It also talks about treatments and your feelings and has practical information about getting help and support.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet is for people affected by cancer who want to plan ahead. It can help you make choices about what will happen to your money and belongings. By planning ahead, you can save family or friends from tough decisions or financial difficulties in the future. This booklet also explains how to arrange for someone to help you if you become unable to look after your finances.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet aims to help working carers cope with work issues they may face because of the impact of their caring role on working life. It describes who a carer is, the different ways of caring, and the impact of cancer treatment on the working carer. It has advice about what to say at work, talking to employers, the legal rights of carers in paid work, social care, financial support, and bereavement. Includes details of useful organisations and websites.
The Brain Tumour Charity
This leaflet is for anyone receiving treatment or who has recently completed their treatment.There’s no specific food or type of diet that can control or treat brain tumours, but controlling your diet may help to improve your quality of life and manage the side-effects of treatment, such as dry mouth, nausea, poor appetite, and weight loss.
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
This booklet explains the risk of developing a blood clot while in hospital. It describes the signs of a blood clot, who is at risk, and how to reduce the risk of developing a blood clot. Please note: this booklet includes contact details and instructions specific to the Royal Marsden Hospital.
Look Good...Feel Better
Information about Look Good Feel Better with details of workshop locations in the UK.
Independently published
In March 2016, cancer attacked me for the first time. I was diagnosed with inoperable, stage four throat cancer and underwent intensive courses of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy which left me extremely weak and vulnerable to infection. As a result, I contracted double pneumonia and sepsis and was rushed into intensive care where my family was told that, unless I began responding to treatment, I had approximately two hours left to live. Thankfully, I pulled through and set off upon the long road to recovery. It was the hardest thing I've ever faced but - eventually, in the summer of 2017 - I was declared cancer free.For a few months, at least. In January 2018, a routine scan found the cancer had returned - and had now spread to my lungs. Bugger. "Tommy v cancer: Round Two" continues the story of my fight to survive the 'Big C', salvage what remained of my career, and support my terrified family through yet another battle of life and death. (Publisher)
Rippling Print
If you are caring for someone, this book is for you. It contains everything that helped Verran to find his way as he cared for his wife Karen, from her initial diagnosis to her death 8½ years later. “This is so beautiful, so helpful right now.” Rachel, caring for her mother. Whenever he discovered a new way to do something, or a new way of thinking, or being that worked for him, he wrote it down in a notebook. Page by page, that notebook became this book - a collection of reminders that helped him time and time again, and especially when he was struggling. “This book connects to the human in all of us, a hand to hold, and a guiding light.” Lee, caring for his wife. The thoughts within this book still help Verran today, and he now offers it to you in the hope that it will help you too. He invites you to try whatever catches your eye, whatever makes sense to you in your heart. Also to notice whenever you find a new way that works for you, and to add your own reminders. It is Verran’s hope that these thoughts will help you to adapt, and to grow, and to find your way. Your way to truly be with those that you care for, to nurture your own peace of mind, and to create the space you need for you. (Publisher)
Librotas
Two days after celebrating her 50th birthday, Juliette Chan had an unexpected birthday present: bowel cancer. Luckily, they caught it early, but once the treatment was over, the psychological side-effects surfaced. For many months, Juliette was adrift and felt lost. It seemed that everything in her life was up for review and she struggled to gain clarity about what to do next. There were many questions, such as: When will I feel normal again; Why am I not as motivated as before; Will the cancer come back; Why am I mentally exhausted. It took her a while to realise that the cancer had caused a whole load of losses: loss of trust in her body, self-image as a fit and healthy person, energy, confidence, motivation, income and much more. And that’s when the penny dropped; she was grieving. Cancer not only involves coping with the physical disease and treatment – it also means experiencing and dealing with hidden losses that will affect how you view and live your life. Every time you experience a loss, there is an emotional response: grief. Most people only associate grief with bereavement but it is in fact a natural reaction to any and all losses, including the hidden and intangible losses you face with cancer. Anyone who has or has had cancer, as well as their family and friends, will experience grief – because life has changed. This can show up as anger, frustration, anxiety, ‘depression’, fear, sadness, for example. If left unchecked or suppressed, grief will affect your mental health and emotional wellbeing. It doesn’t have to be like this; it is possible to take care of the emotional and mental impact of cancer and to live well. In her easy, relaxed style of writing, Juliette explains the emotional and mental impact of cancer and highlights the limitations of Mindfulness and positive thinking. She has also included a workbook with simple practical exercises that help to release the psychological side-effects and provide clarity. You can also read the candid stories of eight others who faced cancer: Robert describes his initial feelings of shock on diagnosis and how others helped him to cope, whereas Meena recounts going it alone; Petra shares how she continued to run throughout her treatment, and Susan talks movingly about the seemingly endless decision-making from diagnosis onwards; Mary, Tony and June recount their unique experiences of the same cancer
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland
This leaflet has facts about mouth cancer and describes the symptoms, who is at risk and how to reduce the risk.
Pancreatic Cancer UK
This booklet explains the standards of care everybody with pancreatic cancer should have while they are being diagnosed and treated for pancreatic cancer. You can use it as a guide to what you should expect. It can also help you talk to your doctors and nurses about the care you should receive.
ENABLE Scotland|Macmillan Cancer Support|CHANGE
This booklet is about getting good health care if you have cancer and a learning disability.
British Lung Foundation
Information and support for those caring for someone with a lung condition (not specifically lung cancer).
Brainstrust
One in a series of eight leaflets that form the Brain Tumour Patient Guide.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Audio CD of the booklet, which is designed to inform people affected by cancer about cancer treatment and care. It explains the different stages that people go through when they have cancer, the roles of various cancer care professionals, and how to get additional support and information.
Brainstrust
One in a series of eight leaflets that form the Brain Tumour Patient Guide.
Pancreatic Cancer UK
This booklet is for people with pancreatic cancer, their family, friends and carers who want to know more about what may happen in the last few months of life. It includes information about the symptoms that people with pancreatic cancer may get towards the end of their life and how to manage them. There is also information about how to get the care and support you might need, dealing with the emotional impact of dying from pancreatic cancer, and specific information for family members.
Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
If you or someone you care for has just been diagnosed with lung cancer, then it’s almost certain that you’ll have a lot of questions. We have produced this booklet in partnership with lung cancer experts and people affected by lung cancer to help you make positive informed choices about your care and treatment.
Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
If you or someone one you care for has a diagnosis of lung cancer and radiotherapy is a possible treatment option, then it’s almost certain that you will have a lot of questions. We have produced this booklet in partnership with expertise from lung oncologists (cancer doctors), radiographers, lung cancer nurse specialists and people affected by lung cancer to help you make positive, informed choices about your care and treatment.
Breast Cancer Care
This booklet describes ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the symptoms, how a diagnosis is made, the different types of DCIS, and the treatment options. It also has a short section on coping with breast cancer.
Brainstrust
A who's who of healthcare professionals involved in the care of someone with a brain tumour: GP; consultant neurosurgeon; consultant neurologist; consultant radiologist; neuro-oncologist; clinical psychologist; neuro-ophthalmologist; community neurological rehabilitation nurse; neuro-oncology clinical nurse specialist; epilepsy nurse; palliative care nurse; specialist allied health professional; disability co-ordinator (higher education). It describes the role of each professional and how they can help.
Breast Cancer Care
Many people will lose either some or all of their hair as a result of treatment for breast cancer. For some, this is the most distressing side effect of treatment. Some people find that being prepared for hair loss before it occurs helps them cope better when it happens. This booklet explains how you may lose your hair and the effect it can have. It looks at how to care for your hair and scalp during and after treatment and the different headwear you may want to try, including wigs and headscarves. It includes step-by-step guides to tying headscarves and tips on recreating the illusion of eyebrows and eyelashes. The final part of the booklet discusses what usually happens when your hair grows back and how to look after it.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This information is about what to expect when you find out you have cancer and where to get help and support.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This information is about what to expect when you find out you have cancer and where to get help and support. Includes the English-language version.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This information is about what to expect when you find out you have cancer and where to get help and support. Includes the English-language version.
Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
If you or someone you care for has just been diagnosed with lung cancer you may have lots of questions. This booklet was produced with input from people affected by lung cancer and lung cancer experts, and is designed to help answer those questions.It describes the possible symptoms that may experienced when living with lung cancer and how to cope with them.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This information is about what to expect when you find out you have cancer and where to get help and support. Includes the English-language version.
Breast Cancer Care
This booklet is for women considering breast reconstruction after breast surgery to treat breast cancer.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This information is about what to expect when you find out you have cancer and where to get help and support. Includes the English-language version.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This information is about what to expect when you find out you have cancer and where to get help and support.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This information is about what to expect when you find out you have cancer and where to get help and support. Includes the English-language version.
Breast Cancer Care
A booklet for people who have been treated for breast cancer and who may be concerned about their risk of osteoporosis. It describes osteoporosis, who is at risk, breast cancer treatment and bone density, how to look after your bones, and what to do if you think you have osteoporosis.
Breast Cancer Care
A booklet for women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms after breast cancer treatment. It has advice on treatments (prescription drugs and complementary therapies) and practical measures for coping with hot flushes, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, mood swings, joint pain and risk of osteoporosis. Includes details of further support.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This information is about what to expect when you find out you have cancer and where to get help and support. Includes the English-language version.
Breast Cancer Care
This booklet describes chemotherapy and explains how and when it might be used to treat breast cancer, and the possible side-effects. It also discusses issues such as fertility and contraception, and coping with chemotherapy.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This information is about what to expect when you find out you have cancer and where to get help and support. Includes the English-language version.
Macmillan Cancer Support
This information is about what to expect when you find out you have cancer and where to get help and support. Includes the English-language version.