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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.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what a colposcopy is, why a further examination is necessary, what happens before, during, and after the examination, and what the examination will show.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what a colposcopy is, why a further examination is necessary, what happens before, during, and after the examination, and what the examination will show.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what a colposcopy is, why a further examination is necessary, what happens before, during, and after the examination, and what the examination will show.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what a colposcopy is, why a further examination is necessary, what happens before, during, and after the examination, and what the examination will show.
Macmillan Cancer Support|CHANGE
An easy read booklet about breast cancer, how to check your breasts, changes to look for and breast screening.
Department of Health in association with the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
This leaflet has information about breast screening, including false positive and false negative results, to help women make an informed choice about taking part. It explains what breast screening is, what happens during the test, what happens to the mammograms once read, and the benefits and difficulties of breast screening.
Public Health England
A factsheet for women who have been assessed as being more at risk of developing breast cancer than women in the general population.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what cervical screening is, why it is important, and what happens during the test. It also includes information on the reliability of the screening test, what happens to samples once they have been examined, and the benefits and difficulties of cervical screening.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what cervical screening is, why it is important, and what happens during the test. It also includes information on the reliability of the screening test, what happens to samples once they have been examined, and the benefits and difficulties of cervical screening.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what cervical screening is, why it is important, and what happens during the test. It also includes information on the reliability of the screening test, what happens to samples once they have been examined, and the benefits and difficulties of cervical screening.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what cervical screening is, why it is important, and what happens during the test. It also includes information on the reliability of the screening test, what happens to samples once they have been examined, and the benefits and difficulties of cervical screening.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what cervical screening is, why it is important, and what happens during the test. It also includes information on the reliability of the screening test, what happens to samples once they have been examined, and the benefits and difficulties of cervical screening.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what cervical screening is, why it is important, and what happens during the test. It also includes information on the reliability of the screening test, what happens to samples once they have been examined, and the benefits and difficulties of cervical screening.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what cervical screening is, why it is important, and what happens during the test. It also includes information on the reliability of the screening test, what happens to samples once they have been examined, and the benefits and difficulties of cervical screening.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what cervical screening is, why it is important, and what happens during the test. It also includes information on the reliability of the screening test, what happens to samples once they have been examined, and the benefits and difficulties of cervical screening.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what cervical screening is, why it is important, and what happens during the test. It also includes information on the reliability of the screening test, what happens to samples once they have been examined, and the benefits and difficulties of cervical screening.
Department of Health in association with the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
This leaflet has information about breast screening, including false positive and false negative results, to help women make an informed choice about taking part. It explains what breast screening is, what happens during the test, what happens to the mammograms once read, and the benefits and difficulties of breast screening.
Department of Health in association with the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
This leaflet has information about breast screening, including false positive and false negative results, to help women make an informed choice about taking part. It explains what breast screening is, what happens during the test, what happens to the mammograms once read, and the benefits and difficulties of breast screening.
Department of Health in association with the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
This leaflet has information about breast screening, including false positive and false negative results, to help women make an informed choice about taking part. It explains what breast screening is, what happens during the test, what happens to the mammograms once read, and the benefits and difficulties of breast screening.
Department of Health in association with the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
This leaflet has information about breast screening, including false positive and false negative results, to help women make an informed choice about taking part. It explains what breast screening is, what happens during the test, what happens to the mammograms once read, and the benefits and difficulties of breast screening.
Department of Health in association with the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
This leaflet has information about breast screening, including false positive and false negative results, to help women make an informed choice about taking part. It explains what breast screening is, what happens during the test, what happens to the mammograms once read, and the benefits and difficulties of breast screening.
Department of Health in association with the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
This leaflet has information about breast screening, including false positive and false negative results, to help women make an informed choice about taking part. It explains what breast screening is, what happens during the test, what happens to the mammograms once read, and the benefits and difficulties of breast screening.
Department of Health in association with the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
This leaflet has information about breast screening, including false positive and false negative results, to help women make an informed choice about taking part. It explains what breast screening is, what happens during the test, what happens to the mammograms once read, and the benefits and difficulties of breast screening.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what cervical screening is, why it is important, and what happens during the test. It also includes information on the reliability of the screening test, what happens to samples once they have been examined, and the benefits and difficulties of cervical screening.
Department of Health in association with the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
This leaflet has information about breast screening, including false positive and false negative results, to help women make an informed choice about taking part. It explains what breast screening is, what happens during the test, what happens to the mammograms once read, and the benefits and difficulties of breast screening.
Public Health England
This illustrated leaflet is aimed at women with a learning difficulty. It explains the importance of cervical screening and what will happen before, during, and after the smear.
Public Health England
This leaflet explains what cervical screening is, why it is important, and what happens during the test. It also includes information on the reliability of the screening test, what happens to samples once they have been examined, and the benefits and difficulties of cervical screening.
Department of Health in association with the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
This leaflet has information about breast screening, including false positive and false negative results, to help women make an informed choice about taking part. It explains what breast screening is, what happens during the test, what happens to the mammograms once read, and the benefits and difficulties of breast screening.
Department of Health in association with the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
This leaflet has information about breast screening, including false positive and false negative results, to help women make an informed choice about taking part. It explains what breast screening is, what happens during the test, what happens to the mammograms once read, and the benefits and difficulties of breast screening.
Cancer Research UK
This leaflet describes six ways you can help reduce your cancer risk: be smoke free; cut down on booze; keep a healthy weight; think about what's on your plate; get moving; stay safe in the sun.
Cancer Research UK
This leaflet describes six ways you can help reduce your cancer risk: be smoke free; cut down on booze; keep a healthy weight; think about what's on your plate; get moving; stay safe in the sun.
Macmillan Cancer Support|CHANGE
An easy read booklet about having tests at hospital and what might happen.
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
A teenage girl heads towards the hospital waiting room where the doctors are going to tell her how much time she's got to live. As she walks, she thinks about her journey up to this point… the terrible decor in the hospital, wearing a headscarf, the horrible treatments, but also being with her friends, family, and her new boyfriend Victor. This is a story about cancer with a happy ending. It's about life, love, and especially, hope. (Publisher)
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Cancer and its treatment can affect appetite and enjoyment of food. This booklet has been written to help people eat well when they have a poor appetite or are losing weight. It suggests foods to eat to maintain a healthy diet, foods to avoid, nourishing and supplementary drinks, and high-energy foods. It also has advice for times when eating is difficult, as a result, for example, of fatigue, nausea, sore mouth, diarrhoea, or constipation. Includes recipes and sources of further information and support.
Troubador Publishing
Half of the UK population will receive a diagnosis of cancer at some point in their lives and most people will know someone who has been affected by this complex disease. Drawing from her three personal experiences with cancer alongside her professional experience as a counsellor and personal coach, Rebecca Brazier chronicles her journey through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. When talking about cancer we tend to think about the physical side effects of treatment. Although medical advances are saving and extending lives, less consideration is given to the emotional and psychological trauma which cancer creates. The Two Faces of Cancer describes and addresses this trauma and explores why cancer is difficult to recover from both personally and within society. It describes the devastation and powerful feelings cancer created for Rebecca and how she channelled these to create a meaningful life. It also draws from Rebecca's professional knowledge to analyse the emotional and psychological impact of cancer and to suggest routes to recovery. (Publisher)
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)
Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet describes the complementary therapies most often used for people with cancer and gives an idea of what is involved in each therapy. Includes details of useful organisations and other resources.
Independently published
Suitcases filled with medication. Life and death situations. Multiple organ removal. Risking everything to stay alive just one more day. And people still moan to you when they have a cold. Welcome to the life of a ‘terminal’ cancer patient. In January 2016 thirty-year-old Fi Munro was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer. Told from day one that her cancer was incurable and ‘terminal’, Fi faced unimaginable pain, heartache and suffering as the life she’d dreamed of was suddenly pulled away from her. Yet in the wake of this news she did not wallow. Instead she discovered a remarkable inner strength, resilience and, above all, a very dark sense of humour. Years later and she is still here, having outlived, in her opinion, two ‘very unreasonable’ prognoses. How Long Have I Got? is her inspiring story. Honest, open and often tear-jerking this is everything you wanted to know - and some stuff you’ll want to forget - about living with cancer and an important reminder that we are all terminal. Reading this will change your life forever. Fi Munro is a multi-award-winning researcher, author, blogger, speaker and mentor recognised internationally for her presentations and articles on her journey and the importance of holistic health. She has been featured in two BBC documentaries, in TV and radio shows, and in newspaper and magazine articles across the globe. Today she is healthier and happier than ever before and believes cancer saved her life. She is currently training to be a shaman and is excited for what the future holds. (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 Research UK
What we eat and drink can affect our cancer risk. Eating healthily has loads of benefits, helping you keep a healthy weight and and helping reduce the risk of cancer. This leaflet has advice and tips to help people make changes.
Birlinn Limited
In 2017 broadcaster Rev. Ruth Scott was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. As rounds of treatment and hospital stays came to dominate her life, she was forced to step back from her busy routine. She found this experience disconcerting at first but gradually came to realise that it gave her a remarkable opportunity to view life from a different perspective. This book was written during the time of her treatment, what she came to call ‘a gap year in the shadow of death’. More than a memoir of wards and tests, it offers a series of reflections that draw on Ruth’s broad experience and deep thinking. In her life and work she had an innate gift for connecting with people, for being there with them. The book captures this essence in its brave, resonant, and always compassionate exploration of being alive. Living with uncertainty, letting go of control, and allowing for doubt, she writes, can make room for mystery and bring about understanding beyond rational limitations. Drawing on a lifetime of reading and on poems and songs gifted by friends and fellow-patients, Ruth Scott outlines the things that really matter, poignantly and powerfully drawing the reader on her journey. Ruth died in February 2019, but, as Richard Holloway writes, she has left us ‘a map to guide us through our own lives’.
Books Beyond Words
Having a smear test can be worrying. For women with learning disabilities there is the added fear of not understanding what is happening. This book will help to prepare and support women like Carol who are invited to have a smear test. It begins with a nurse telling Carol and her friends how to stay healthy ‘down below’. It goes on to explain what happens to Carol, from receiving the invitation for a smear test, making the preliminary visit to the GP practice and deciding whether she will have the smear or not, to having the smear and receiving the results. We then see her being recalled for a further test. (Publisher)
Cancer Research UK
Information about how to enjoy being in the sun safely and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Cancer Research UK
A short, illustrated factsheet containing simple instructions and helpful hints on how to use a bowel screening kit.
Look Good...Feel Better
Information about Look Good Feel Better with details of workshop locations in the UK.
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.
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)
Burning Chair
What happens when we die? Is this really all there is? What exists beyond this life? Alex Duncan is just an ordinary 14 year old boy. His main worries are homework, girls, the school bully......and his sister, Jenna who has ovarian cancer, stage B. As his parents retreat into themselves, Alex is desperate to find a way to help, a way to make things better for his sister. After all, it’s the not knowing that’s the worst thing. Whilst he tries to untangle the ultimate question, life still goes on: his best friend seems oblivious to his feelings about her, the school bully has taken a special interest in him, and everything he does just makes him feel more and more awkward and out of place. Georgia Springate’s debut novel, Beyond, is a funny and touchingly compelling coming-of-age story about love, loss and discovery. Read it and take an emotional journey through one boy’s quest to understand that most tricky of questions: what lies beyond? (Publishers)
Rethink Street Publishing
This clear, concise book helps you to understand what chemotherapy may be doing to your body, your mind and your life. It gives you useful tips and information, practical advice and reassurance, and it reminds you that you are not alone. Part 1 is a brief GUIDE to the time before, during and after chemotherapy. It includes planning and preparation, common side effects, your thoughts and feelings, food and exercise, work and money issues, how you might feel after treatment, and where to find further help and support. Part 2 is a collection of STORIES based on true, real-life experiences of chemotherapy. Each one is candid and honest and shared in the spirit of kindness and friendship. Including an overly complicated salad, finding long lost relatives, flying paper aeroplanes, writing to new online pen-pals, and tips for friends who don't know what to say. (Publisher)
Michael O'Mara Books Ltd
The inspirational memoir from the founder of the You, Me and the Big C podcast, Rachael Bland. Courageous and life-affirming, this is a mother's final gift to her son. In 2016, beloved broadcaster and journalist Rachael Bland was diagnosed with cancer. Shortly afterwards she made the brave decision to share her story, and she spoke with beautiful poignancy through her blog and podcast, You, Me and the Big C. Having been told that she only had a matter of months left to live and writing this in what were sadly her final days, Rachael brings her warmth, courage and humour to the page in this heart-warming and heart-breaking story. Part memoir, part advice, For Freddie beautifully encapsulates the grace and fearlessness in which Rachael lived her life. This is her legacy and an incredible final gift to her son. (Publisher)
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