Breast cancer reading list
This page gives details of a selection of books and leaflets about breast cancer. There is information about the following subjects
You can find a list of books about cancer, treatments, and living with cancer on our general reading list.
The Breast Cancer Book
Sampson, Val, Fenlon, Debbie
Vermillion, 2000
ISBN 0091856132
A comprehensive account of breast cancer treatment and life with breast cancer. Written by a woman with breast cancer and her breast care nurse. Covers talking to family and friends and life after breast cancer.
The breast sourcebook - everything you need to know about cancer detection, treatment and prevention
Rosenthal, Sarah
Contemporary Books Inc, 2000
ISBN 0737302496
Covers all aspects of breast cancer. Written by an American so some aspects are not relevant to UK readers.
The Breast Cancer Survival Manual
Link, John
Owl Books 2007
ISBN 0805082344
A US book, written by an American breast cancer specialist. It includes information on recent treatment developments. It is primarily aimed at women with primary breast cancer.
Recovering from breast surgery - exercises to strengthen your body and relieve pain
Stumm, Diana
Hunter House, 2000
ISBN 0897931807
A guide to exercises to improve arm movement and aid recovery after breast surgery.
All women: life after breast cancer
Yelland, Tania Farrell
Metro/Breakthrough Breast Cancer 2000
ISBN 1842410040
Stories from women from all backgrounds. They describe their treatment and experiences with breast cancer. Has information about treating breast cancer written by a doctor from the Royal Marsden Hospital.
Be a survivor - your guide to breast cancer treatment
Vladimir, Lange
Lange Lange Media, 2009
ISBN 9780981948904
A complete guide to breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, breast reconstruction, complementary therapies, research trials, and coping with cancer. Is an American book, so some aspects are not relevant to UK readers.
UK The best treatment guidelines for women with breast cancer
UK Breast Cancer Coalition
UK Breast Cancer Coalition, 2002 (020 8543 4455)
Has evidence based information about diagnostic tests and traetments for breast cancer, to help women make treatment choices.
Dr Susan Love's Breast Book
Love, Dr Susan
Da Capo Press Inc 2000
ISBN 0738202355
A comprehensive guide to breast health by an American breast specialist.
The Breast Cancer Prevention and Recovery Diet
Olivier, Suzannah
Penguin Books Paperback 2000
ISBN 0140283951
Written by a woman who has had breast cancer and is a nutritionist. This book discusses ways that breast cancer might be prevented through diet. It also covers ways of using diet to help with treatment side effects.
Tamoxifen and Breast Cancer (2nd edition)
DeGregorio, Michael and Wiebe, Valerie J
Yale University Press, 2000
ISBN 0300079516
This book covers the history and evolution of breast cancer, how tamoxifen works, what the side effects are and why tamoxifen is unsuccessful in some women. The authors also discuss studies which are researching the use of tamoxifen as a preventive drug for breast cancer.
Breast implants - information for women considering breast implants
Department of Health
April 2002
This leaflet is available from the Department of Health website. The site won't let us link directly to it, so you will have to use their search when you get there.
Breast Health
Stoppard, Miriam
Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. 1998
ISBN 0751305499
Covers all aspects of breast care, throughout life. Includes information on screening and breast diseases.
Breast Cancer (What you really need to know about..)
Rob Buckman and John Cleese
Marshall Publishing 2000
ISBN 1840283300
An American guide to breast cancer and its treatment.
Gentle Giants - Powerful story of one woman's unconventional struggle against breast cancer
Brohn, Penny
Century 1987
ISBN 0712615083
The biography of the founder of Penny Brohn Cancer Care (formerly the Bristol Cancer Help Centre).
The Secret History of a Woman Patient
Rhys Dent, Janet
Radcliffe Publishing 2007
ISBN 1 84619 150 5
This is an easy to read account of one woman’s experience of breast cancer. As she considers the dilemmas and discoveries of the diagnosis, both inside and outside hospital, she reflects on what being a patient means, where she gets information and support and how her attitude to life and living changes.
Left Boobless
Mitchell, Sylvia
Published by the author and available from her at:
32, Ratcliffe Road,
Haydon Bridge,
Northumberland NE47 6ET
Price £6.99 incl postage and packing (all profits to the Northern Cancer Support Group)
A warm, humerous but honest account of one woman's experience of breast cancer. The author teaches creative writing and has included a writing exercise at the end of each chapter, which many people may find helpful.
A More Difficult Exercise
Moran, Diana
Bloomsbury 1989
ISBN 0747503494
Diary of a woman who had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
Courage Brave Amazon - one woman's spiritual journey through breast cancer.
Rayner Christine
Lucas Books, 2002
ISBN 1903797179
This is one woman's story of having breast cancer. It is easy to read and gives good explanations of tests and treatment. The author also manages to explain the more unpleasant aspects of treatment in a non-frightening way. It has a strong spiritual focus and may not suit everyone but others may find it a useful source of support.
Seeing the crab - a memoir of dying before I do
Middlebrook, Christina
Anchor Books, 1998
ISBN 0385488653
A patient's story of her experience with secondary breast cancer. It looks at her treatment and effects on relationships.
Lymphedema - a breast cancer patient's guide to prevention and healing
Burt, Jeannie, White, Gwen
Hunter House Inc 1999
ISBN 0897932641
Explains the causes and symptoms of lymphoedema. Describes treatments, including massage, exercise, and the use of bandages and compression garments.
The premature menopause book - when the change of life comes too early
Petras, Kathryn
Avon books, 2000
ISBN 0380805413
Discusses the physical and emotional effects of early menopause and how to cope with them.
Looking After My Breasts
Sheila Hollins and Wendy Perez. Illustrated by Beth Webb
Gaskell, November 2000
ISBN 1 901242 53 6
Paperback, £10.00
This book is for people with a learning disability. There is information about reading material for people with learning disabilities and cancer in our question and answer section. The book tells a simple story about a women going for a mammogram and getting her result. It also explains what happens if you are called for further tests and how to look out for any changes in your breasts - being breast aware. To obtain a copy of this book go to The Royal College of Psychiatrists website.
50 or over? Breast screening is for you
National Health Service (NHS) Cancer Screening Programmes
This is a picture leaflet for women with a learning disability to tell them about breast screening and where to get more information. You can read or download this leaflet in PDF format on the NHS website. There is information about reading material for people with learning disabilities and cancer in our question and answer section.
From Cancer Research UK
- Breast Cancer - spot the symptoms early and why screening is important
You can download a copy of this breast cancer awareness leaflet on the Cancer Research UK website. Or you can ring our leaflet enquiry line on 020 7061 8333.
Leaflets and booklets from other organisations
From Breast Cancer Care
- Breast awareness; your questions answered
- Making a diagnosis
- Treating breast cancer
- Exercises after breast surgery
- Breast reconstruction
- Breast cancer and pregnancy
- Breast cancer and childcare
- Bone health and breast cancer
- Living with lymphoedema
- Breast cancer and you: coping with diagnosis
- Talking with your children about breast cancer
- Breast cancer and hair loss
- Secondary breast cancer
*plus a wide range of factsheets covering many aspects of breast cancer and treatment
From Wessex Cancer Trust - 023 8067 2200
- Information for the partner of a woman with breast cancer
- Early breast cancer: a guide to treatment problems
From The British Lymphology Society
- Strategy for Lymphoedema Care
To get a free copy, email helensnoad@blsac.demon.co.uk
- Coping with hair loss
- Diet and cancer
- Talking about your cancer
- Understanding breast cancer
- Understanding chemotherapy
- Understanding lymphoedema
- Understanding radiotherapy
- Understanding secondary breast cancer
- Breast cancer in men
- Understanding breast reconstruction
*plus a wide range of factsheets covering many aspects of breast cancer and treatment
Tapes available from Macmillan Cancer Support
- Understanding breast cancer
- Understanding breast screening
- Understanding chemotherapy
- Understanding radiotherapy
- Adjusting to life after cancer treatment
- Cancer and complementary therapies
- Coping with fatigue
- Coping with hair loss
- Understanding lymphoedema
- Cancer genetics - how cancer sometimes runs in families
- Relationships, sex and fertility - for young people affected by cancer
- Sexuality and cancer
- Talking about your cancer
- Taling to children about cancer
- The emotional effects of cancer
- Travel and cancer
- Work and cancer
- Understanding secondary cancer in the bone
- Understanding secondary cancer in the liver
From Breast Cancer Care
- Treating breast cancer (tape)
- Diagnosing and treating breast cancer (tape)
From Family advice and Information Resource (FAIR) - 0131 662 1962
- A guide to checking your breasts (CD) - for people with learning disability.
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