Here you will find a collection of books selected by our staff for their powerful and compelling stories. These are books written by cancer survivors, by the parents of children with cancer, or else books intended as a primer to explain cancer to the layperson or to our young ones. In addition, some of these books offer cancer patient-related resources that you might find useful. This list will be updated periodically, so please check again for new books. Also, please feel free to write to us if you wish to suggest a book to add to this selection at info@ces.b2sg.org with the Subject line: Books.

We hope you find these books both interesting and helpful!

With our best wishes of good health,

The Cancer Epigenetics Society Books Team.

Summary: Lynn Eib is a newspaper reporter and author who is a passionate encourager and a truth-teller. As a longtime colon cancer survivor and patient advocate, she has provided encouragement to tens of thousands of cancer patients and their caregivers around the world. In addition, Lynn worked as a patient advocate in her oncologist’s office for nearly two decades before retiring in 2015 to spend more time with her family.

In this book, 50 Days of Hope: Daily Inspiration for your Journey through Cancer, Lynn comes along side readers – both the patient and the caregiver – so you have an advocate and won’t feel alone as you find hope, no matter what your health situation. The daily readings are not long (especially good for those recently diagnosed and not able to concentrate on much reading) and each shares a true, hopeful story as well as a short prayer. In 50 Days of Hope, Lynn provides insights on how to face the disease and stay the course, while always finding and keeping hope.

Whether you’re a cancer patient or walking with a loved one on her or his cancer journey, you’ll find 50 Days of Hope packed with the daily dose of encouragement you need.

From the author’s own preface: After a month of being sick with what I thought was the flu, I started to cough up blood. The diagnosis was an advanced case of small cell lung cancer (the fast moving kind) with a large inoperable tumor in my lung that was wrapped around my pulmonary artery and another tumor that was located in my brain. All I wanted to know was how the survivors had handled it. What did they do? What did they eat? What was their attitude like? What did the survivors have in common? To my surprise, the doctors I spoke to could not tell me. All they could do was quote grim statistics and recommend the conventional course of treatments.

The information in this book is not meant to replace your doctor’s advice. It is meant as a supplement that will help clear up some of the confusion you will encounter and give you the tools and direction to help you restore your mind, body and spirit to an optimum state of health. It came about through my unyielding desire to learn what other survivors did to beat the odds, combined with my own personal journey developing the skills and knowledge I needed to overcome the illness. In retrospect, this is: The guide I wish I’d had when I was learning – How to Survive Lung Cancer.

Summary: The author, Dr. Kristi Funk, provides in this book a hands-on manual on how to reduce breast cancer risk, and in the event of breast cancer, how to better deal with it.

Breasts: The Owner’s Manual shows that although genetics determine who gets breast cancer for some women, this not the case for most women, as many women with breast cancer do not have a single first-degree relative with breast cancer.

This book provides the reader with tips on how to reduce the risk of cancer and cancer risk, by taking advantage of available healthy food choices and lifestyles, all backed by rigorous scientific research. The book also explores uncontrollable breast cancer risk factors and outlines medical choices for breast cancer survivors and for women newly diagnosed with the disease. One of the book’s main themes is that the key to getting a grip on uncontrollable risks is to first understand them and then to use this understanding to inform on controllable choices.

The book’s core goal is to empower women with current facts and to provide them with strategies to better manage the disease if or when it hits.

Summary: For those faced with a cancer diagnosis and the journey of doctor-led surgery and treatments, yoga offers a way to regain control of your body and take an active part in recovery and long-term health. In this easy-to-follow illustrated guide, yoga teacher and cancer survivor Tari Prinster presents 53 traditional yoga poses that are adapted for all levels of ability and cancer challenges. She then applies the movements and breath-work of these poses to address 10 common side effects and offers 9 practice sequences for varying stages of treatment and recovery.

Sharing her own story as well as those of cancer survivors and yoga teachers with whom she has worked, Prinster explores how yoga can be used to strengthen the body, decrease anxiety, reduce pain, and generally help the body repair damages caused by cancer and various treatments. She reveals the research that supports the physical and psychological benefits of yoga as an aid to recovery and in reducing the risk of recurrence. Explaining how yoga must be tailored to each survivor, Prinster gives you the tools to create a safe home yoga practice, one that addresses your abilities, energy level, and overall health goals.

Through personal stories, well-illustrated poses, and sample practices for beginners as well as experienced yoga practitioners, Prinster empowers survivors to create their own wellness plan in order to regain their independence and their physical and emotional well-being.

In house review: This book brings two perspectives about cancer from one and the same person. That of a doctor, who diagnosed and surgically removed countless tumors, who counseled scores of cancer patients and their families, and who too often had to condole and console a spouse, a parent, or a sibling for the loss of their beloved. And that of a patient, diagnosed at the age of 36 with terminal lung cancer. The author, Dr. Paul Kalanithi, narrates first his journey as a successful neurosurgery resident at Stanford University, as a loving (and loved) husband and son, and as a man of good heart and great promise. All of it comes to an abrupt halt as lung cancer declares itself, changing everything, except for the spirit and resolve of the man at the center of the tragedy.

This is the story of a man who had to look cancer and death in the eye, yet did not falter in his determination to remain a good doctor and family man, who did his best to fight the disease, and who put his most intimate thoughts and feelings bare for the world to read in this book. It gives the reader insights into the world of cancer from both ends of the spectrum: doctors striving to do their best, sometimes struggling with inner doubts and conflicted emotions, and patients confronted with the complex meanders of a disease aptly referred to as the emperor of all maladies, confronted with their own (untimely) mortality, looking for answers, looking for hope, all the while still juggling a leftover life from another time.

As the author states, “only 0.0012% of 36-year-old (non-smokers) get lung cancer”. Yet, as this book acutely reminds us, 0.0012% is not 0. It means it happens. And it can happen to anybody. Anytime. With the increased pollution, stress, and ever-more-frequent passed on genetic and epigenetic mutations from the generations prior, cancer is only going to be more frequent, more aggressive. Just like Paul Kalanithi did, we, as a society, ought to look cancer in the eye, and fight it with all we’ve got.

A must read!

Reviewed by: I.M. Bennani-Baiti, President, the Cancer Epigenetics Society

In house review: This book is a powerful account of fatherly love and methodical thinking (and action) in the pursuit of saving the life of one’s closest and dearest. This is one of the most compelling stories you’ll ever read about how sheer determination can push the inevitable beyond the realms of reasonable science and medicine. The author of this book leaves no stone unturned, crosses geographical and language barriers to seek out the best treatments and diagnostic procedures for his son, immerses himself in the most dense and obscure (including my own) cancer science to best chart his son’s journey in cancer, if not to find an actual cure. As someone who has investigated this particular form of cancer for many years, I was surprised to learn a thing or two that, to the best of my knowledge, were at the time not available in the scientific and medical literature. This book is packed with strong emotions (both happy and sad ones) as it narrates the beautiful story of a father-son relationship, that neither divorce nor cancer could mitigate. Ultimately, this book goes beyond recording the chronicles of Daniel’s cancer, it is the story of two people who love each other more than words can say, one that is attempting to emerge from boyhood to step into the world of young adulthood and the corridors of Oxford University, while at the same time desperately holding on to his dad for help and guidance, and one who is gently ushering his son toward the man he hopes he will one day become, while navigating the maize of science and medicine, pacing the hallways of hospitals, and juggling his work and own life. This book is a permanent reminder that too many good lives are lost to cancer, and that if there were one formidable foe against which one should put up a good fight, cancer is definitely it. Proceeds from the sale of this book are in part donated to World Child Cancer, a charity which helps children with cancer in developing countries.

Reviewed by: I.M. Bennani-Baiti, President, the Cancer Epigenetics Society

Author: Julia McDermott

Summary: 

On his 19th birthday and the day after his freshman year at the University of Georgia, Jack McDermott was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Sitting right behind his optic nerves, the tumor rapidly threatened to take his vision, and Jack was rushed into surgery. For the next six months, he fought the battle of his life. Told with honesty, tenderness, and compassion, All the Above chronicles his mom’s emotional struggle as she and her family did everything possible to help Jack survive brain cancer. This inspiring true story of courage, optimism, and hope will touch all those whose world has changed in a day, and who have faced grief and loss.

Cancer: brain cancer
written by: family member

Author: Michele Ryan

Summary:

Author: Allan Peterkin, Frances Middendorf (Illustrator)

Summary:

When a child is seriously ill, siblings experience mixed emotions and hurt feelings, and wonder about the future. In this heartwarming story, the narrator, a confused young girl, expresses all of these concerns when her brother goes to the hospital for an extended stay.

Cancer: childhood cancer
Children’s book

Author: Joan Lunden

Summary:

In this brave and deeply personal memoir, one of America’s most beloved journalists, mother, and New York Times bestselling author speaks candidly about her battle against breast cancer, her quest to learn about it and teach others, and the transformative effect it’s had on her life.

When former Good Morning America host Joan Lunden was diagnosed with breast cancer, she set out to learn everything about it to help her survive. With seven children counting on her, giving up was not an option. After announcing her diagnosis on Good Morning America, people all over the country rallied around Joan as she went into Warrior mode. Within a few months, after losing her hair, Joan appeared on the cover of People magazine bald, showing the world she could, and would, beat the disease. Determined to remain upbeat—to look in the mirror with a brave face—her resolve empowered women everywhere. The Today show quickly recruited Joan as a special correspondent and continues to follow her progress.

A deeply personal and powerful story of pain, persistence, and perseverance, Had I Known is a chronicle of Joan’s experience and the plan she formulated and followed to battle with her disease and treatment. As Joan reveals, while her journey was not easy, it profoundly changed her in unexpected ways. Her odyssey helped Joan redefine herself, her values, and most of all, her health. Following a new clean way of eating, Joan lost thirty pounds, became more aware of the food she was eating, and avoided many of the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy.

Dealing with the cancer also changed her perception of true beauty. Being attractive isn’t about the hair on your head—it’s about the strength and character you bring to everything you do. Positive yet down-to-earth, told with piercing honesty leavened with warmth and humor, Had I Known offers unforgettable, inspirational lessons for us all.

Cancer: breast cancer
written by: survivor

Author: Kim Martin

Summary:

An alphabet book with a mission, this 32-page picture book will inspire, comfort, educate and encourage children being treated for cancer. Using colorful, warm, humorous illustrations and verse, the author employs the alphabet to feature different aspects of coping with cancer treatment. Many pages include practical information about where to find help or relief for children at this challenging time in their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Hair Fairy, creations of the author, are a humorous pair who visit cancer patients on the day they lose their hair and leave them a gift. They also watch over cancer patients and guide us through this heartwarming book of encouragement. Although written for children, the book is great for people of all ages. H is for Hair Fairy: An Alphabet of Encouragement and Insight for Kids (and Kids at Heart!) With Cancer kicks off the Hair Fairy Project created by the author in memory of her son, Nolan (1985-1993), who went through cancer twice before the age of eight, and in honor of her 17-year-old daughter Andrea, a cancer survivor, who finished treatment for bone cancer in 2004. This non-profit project brings joy and encouragement to children with cancer.

Cancer: childhood cancer
Children’s book

Author: Charles M. Schulz

Summary:

In this timeless classic, the Peanuts gang faces the serious sickness of a good friend with all the sensitivity, caring, and warmth that is the trademark of Charles Schultz’s work. Why, Charlie Brown, Why? is a heartwarming story of a child dealing with great challenges and profound questions.

When young Janice is diagnosed with leukemia, Charlie Brown looks for answers, Linus becomes her protector, Lucy doesn’t understand, Snoopy dons his ‘”World’s Greatest Surgeon” togs, and the whole gang does some soul searching. In his own inimitable style, Charles Schulz brings this touching tale to life. With charm and compassion, he tells of the effect of Janice’s illness on her family, her classmates, and, of course, her friends.

For more than a decade, Why, Charlie Brown, Why? has helped children to understand what happens when someone they love is sick. Now this wonderful book is available once again to serve as a guide for future generations.

Cancer: childhood cancer
Children’s book