Symptoms reading list
This page tells you about books and leaflets about coping with the symptoms of cancer. They are available from cancer organisations, bookshops, your local library or your GP's surgery. There is information about
You can find a list of books about cancer, treatments, and living with cancer on our general reading list.
Andrew H Ko, Malin Dollinger and Ernest H Rosenbaum
Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy (5th edition)
Publishers: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2008
ISBN: 978-0740768576
This book covers how cancer is diagnosed, treated and managed day to day.
Joanne Frankel Kelvin and Leslie B Tyson
100 Questions and Answers about Cancer Symptoms and Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Publisher Jones and Bartlett, 2005
ISBN: 978-0763726126
An American book which gives both doctor’s and patient’s views on coping with the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment. It has information about treatment for pain, nausea, tiredness,and other symptoms.
Susannah Rose and Richard Hara
100 Questions and Answers about Caring for family or friends with Cancer
Publisher Jones and Bartlett, 2004
ISBN: 978-0763723613
An American book which gives information about caring for someone with cancer including how to support them when they have symptoms or side effects.
Abby S Bloch
Eating Well, Staying Well: During and After Cancer
Publisher: American Cancer Society, 2006
ISBN: 978-0944235515
An American book, but most of the information is relevant to the UK. It covers issues such as preventing weight loss and coping with dehydration, fatigue, and infection. It also discusses eating problems and digestion issues, such as swallowing problems, feeling sick and dealing with mouth sores. There is a section on how to eat well after treatment.
Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal, and Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Mindful Way through Depression
Publisher: The Guilford Press, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-59385-128-6
An American book, but 2 of the authors are British researchers who are helping to promote mindfulness-based cognitive therapy courses for people experiencing stress and depression in the UK. A CD of guided meditations is included with the book.
Dr Ian Banks
Haynes Owner’s Workshop Manual – Sex
J H Haynes & Co Ltd, 2004
ISBN 1 844 250 86 5
Written by a doctor, the Haynes sex manual includes information on health problems that may affect your sex life. Written with humour and compassion.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Relationships, sex and fertility for young people affected by cancer
This booklet offers information to young people about all aspects of sex and relationships and discusses the effects of cancer treatment on fertility. It also has coping strategies and options for fertility treatment in people whose fertility is affected.
Available free to people affected by cancer from Macmillan Cancer Support on by calling 0808 808 2020.
Leslie R Schover
Sexuality and Fertility after Cancer
John Wiley & Sons, 1997
ISBN 0 471 181 94 3
This book has information on sexuality and fertility problems after cancer, and cancer treatment. It covers the physical and emotional effects of cancer, offering some helpful, practical solutions to problems.
Dr Sally Kydd and Dana Rowett
Intimacy After Cancer – A woman’s guide
Big Think Media, 2006
ISBN 0 9788108 0 5
This American book has information about sexuality after a diagnosis of cancer and treatment for it. It includes information about how you may feel and offers some helpful solutions in maintaining or regaining intimate relationships. As an American book it is only available from online book suppliers.
Coping with shortness of breath
Living with breathlessness
Relax and breathe CD
Living with changes in eating
Controlling cancer pain (also on audiotape)
Controlling the symptoms of cancer (also on audiotape)
Coping with hair loss (also on audiotape)
Coping with fatigue (also on audiotape)
Diet and cancer (also on audiotape)
The emotional effects of cancer (also on audiotape)
Understanding cancer research trials (clinical trials) (also on audiotape)
Understanding lymphoedema (also on audiotape)
Coping with breathlessness factsheet
From the British Pain Society
Pain in Older People: Reflections and Experiences from an older person's persepctive
Intrathecal drug delivery systems for treating pain and spasticity: information for patients
Pain management programmes for adults: information for patients
Pain and problem drug use: information for patients
Spinal Cord Stimulation for pain: information for patients
Opioid medicines for persistent pain: information for patients
Understanding and Managing Pain
From the Rarer Cancers Forum
Turning it Around: Cancer and Nutrition (DVD)
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