We asked people affected by breast cancer what books they read during and after treatment.
From motivational advice to candid cancer diaries, or even a novel for a little escapism, sometimes a little book can make a big difference. These are her top book recommendations for overcoming breast cancer.
You are reading: Books on breast cancer
1. b is for breast cancer, christine hamill
‘The day after I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I found myself blinking back tears as I shopped, thinking: now what does a breast cancer patient need?
all I could think of was waterproof mascara.”
Hamill explores the emotional and physical impact of his cancer diagnosis, written while undergoing treatment.
(piatkus, 2014)
2. the mummy’s bundle, gillian forrest
‘Although I am an experienced child psychiatrist, I was not quite sure how to talk to my children about my diagnosis. Nobody asked me if I had any problem explaining what was happening to my children, everything was focused on my condition.”
after going through breast cancer with two children, ages five and seven, gillian forrest decided to write a book about breast cancer now to help other parents in a similar situation.
Mom’s Lump follows Elly and Jack as they learn of their mother’s diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer, written and illustrated as a downloadable children’s breast cancer book now.
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3. the c word, lisa lynch
‘carrie bradshaw fell for dior, i fell for debenhams… it was theatrical, exaggerated, a perfect 6.0. and it was the #1 significant moment where I found out she had stage three breast cancer.’
After being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 28, Lisa wrote down her “frustrating, life changing, pain in the ass” of getting breast cancer.
(arrow, 2010)
4. felt good karen tighe
‘while I’m in the bathroom, I lie down and look at my ‘bigger than I’d really like’ body and focus on my chest… put on my glasses and look great, then gently start feeling my entire right breast. I feel the left one just in case and I can definitely spot a lump on the right side.’
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Karen wrote a funny and candid account of her experience to try to make cancer seem a little less scary for others dealing with breast cancer, while also raising money for st. luke and breast cancer now.
(matador, 2013)
5. everything is rock and roll, alex jagger
a story of love, life, happiness and hair.
jagger was diagnosed with breast cancer when her daughter was four years old, her job was full and her life was going full throttle.
tells the story of trying to keep your head (and hair) “when the rest of the world is going crazy” and finally finding “your own sunshine”.
(createspace, 2016)
6. tea & chemotherapy, jackie buxton
At the age of 45, Buxton was diagnosed with breast cancer. she chose to write about her experience to help others also diagnosed realize that they ‘don’t have to be defined by his cancer.’
With all proceeds going to three cancer charities, Buxton’s book aims to support others like her through an honest, moving and humorous account of her own experience with breast cancer.
(urban publications, 2015)
7. emotional support through breast cancer, dr. cordelia galgut
galgut explores the emotional effects of breast cancer, using stories from people she met and drawing from her own experience with breast cancer.
From both a personal and professional perspective, as a psychologist, she shares practical insights and advice for diagnosis, treatment, and more.
(crc press, 2013)
8. ticking against breast cancer, sara liyanage
Inspired by her popular blog, sara has written about her experiences as “a kind of guide” for others who have been through breast cancer or who want to support someone who is.
sara describes the book as “an honest and very frank account of diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, menopause, and trying to move on after treatment ends.”
(press hashtag, 2019)
9. the complete guide to breast cancer, professor trisha greenhalgh and dr liz o’riordan
In July 2015, Dr. liz o’riordon, a breast surgeon, was diagnosed with the same disease she had learned to treat her entire life.
liz says her book “covers everything you need to know to empower yourself during treatment and is packed with all the tips and tricks we learned along the way.”
(vermilion london, 2018
10. life, lemons and melons, alice may purkiss
“It’s essentially about the life of every 20-something, but with a little added mental anguish and the slight downside of cancer,” Purkiss says.
Alice was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 26, making this book essential reading for any young woman dealing with breast cancer.
(comment, 2019)
11. making sand pearls, aitken island
“I really want the book to be a signal to people with breast cancer that they are not alone, that many people go through this experience and that we are all here to support each other,” Isla told us.
Diagnosed with breast cancer while on vacation in Japan, the former journalist, environmental activist and former island politician distracts herself with tourist adventures. However, back in the UK, she is forced to face the reality of the treatment.
(aitken island, 2019)
12. beyond the pink, susan quirke
I realized that when I was diagnosed with cancer no one knew how to react to me losing friends and dealing with medical staff. people were talking to me, not to me.’
In this ‘Diary of a Breast Cancer Survivor,’ Susan shares her struggles with the diagnosis and how she adapted to cope.
(susan quirke, 2019)
If these stories inspire you and you’d like to write about your own experience with breast cancer, try using our writing guide.
try the guide
See Also: LaVyrle Spencer – Book Series In Order