An article offering suggestions on what to read when faced with a cancer diagnosis.
You’ve been to the doctor, the diagnosis is real - you have cancer. It is devastating, life-halting, and you are catching your breath after a big-ass kick in the stomach. Time to take control of a seemingly uncontrollable situation. Read.
Picking up a book and researching your options goes a long way to helping you feel you have a handle on the disease. Knowledge is power, and nowhere is this truer than in the event of a cancer diagnosis.
Visit your nearest bookseller, click your way to information through your favorite online store, and pick up these great “cancer reads”. These books don’t claim to offer a cure - they are inspiring, funny, and informative, and may just help you to get through it all.
Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips by Kris Carr
Crazy? Sexy? Cancer? You might ask how these words could possibly be used together in a sentence. Actress/writer/filmmaker Kris Karr not only had the guts to do it, but put out a great book to boot! A necessary read for cancer survivors (don’t you dare call them patients) and the people who love them.
A great handbook for young women dealing with cancer, offering tips on (among other things) how to look and feel your best during treatment; how to navigate intimate relationships as a cancer survivor; how to use your “cancer card” to get what you need; how to deal with doctors, insurance, and the rat-maze of the health care system; and how to keep you fabulousness intact through it all.
Using stories from fellow cancer survivors, and including a great introduction by Sheryl Crow, Carr has come out with a book that is long overdue, addressing an oft-ignored demographic.
A Cancer Battle Plan: Six Strategies for Beating Cancer from a Recovered “Hopeless Case” by Anne E. Frahm
An enlightening and inspirational read, telling the author’s story of her battle with breast cancer. Following a dire diagnosis, Anne Frahm decided to take control of her disease and her treatment through diet and nutrition.
The book is not only a practical guide to better health, it is a moving story of one woman’s courage and resoluteness in the face of a seemingly hopeless situation. Far from claiming to have found a cure for the disease, Anne’s story merely offers suggestions for well-being and will bring some positivity and light into the life of anyone dealing with cancer.
The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health by Dr. T. Colin Campbell
Although not cancer-specific, The China Study is one of the most comprehensive books on diet and nutrition out there. Offering well-researched, viable information – including advice for cancer prevention and tips on cancer-fighting foods – it is a must-have for anyone interested in leading a healthy vibrant life.
Dr. Campbell does not come without credentials – he has 40 years of experience as a scientist and is Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University – and his book is unique for the sheer volume of scientific evidence he presents to back-up his claims. Despite its scientific overtones, the book is highly readable and full of personal anecdotes and experience, making it appealing for a broad audience.
These three books are only the tip of the iceberg. Whether you are a cancer survivor, a friend or loved one of someone faced with the disease, or simply interested in researching prevention and treatment, it is worth your time to scour the shelves for the best and most comprehensive information.
Related Articles
Cancer on the Web: Top Websites for Research and Well-Being
Cancer Wars: Assemble the Troops and Prepare for Battle
Shopping for Cancer: Merchandise for a Cause
