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A Breast Cancer Journey by Amy Sproull (Ed.) Atlanta, Georgia: American Cancer Society, 2001. ISBN: 0-944-235-28-X. A comprehensive resource that takes the reader through the complete cancer experience from the time of diagnosis to after treatment is completed. It can be used as a resource, a source of information, or a source of comfort and as a workbook.

After Any Diagnosis by Carol Svec (2001). ISBN: 0-609-80669-6. Empowers the patient to become an advocate for one’s own health. A very useful portion of the book details how to search the internet for medical information. Book provides useful information to any person who has been diagnosed with cancer. Gives examples of situations by which one should take in becoming an active patient and lists sources where one can obtain valuable information on cancer, treatment options, and physicians.

Be A Survivor: Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment by Vladimir Lange, M.D.; Lange Productions: 1999 ISBN: 0966361008. The book presents a continuum of information for the newly diagnosed breast cancer patient and her partner from diagnosis through recovery. Quotations from breast cancer survivors, questions to ask your physician and informative illustrations provide a comprehensive overview of breast cancer.

Bosom Buddies by Rosie O’Donnell and Deborah Axelrod, M.D., F.A.C.S.; Warner Books: New York, New York, 1999. ISBN: 0-446-67620-9. The book covers a variety of topics including breast health, screening, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up treatment, research and resources. It is written in a humorous yet informative manner, following a question and answer format. Puzzles, songs, jokes, cartoons and a resource list are provided.

Breast Cancer: A Practical Guide by Silva, O. et al. (2000). Kidlington, Oxford UK: Elsevier Science Ltd. ISBN: 0 444 50565 2. This handbook covers the spectrum of breast cancer (and non-malignant breast conditions) topics from the epidemiology of breast cancer and risk factors to the screening, pathology, treatment of breast cancer to the care of the dying patient. Investigational agents, psychosocial aspects of breast cancer, breast cancer and depression, “following” breast cancer patients, hormone replacement therapy in breast cancer survivors, unusual presentations of breast cancer, the male breast, chemoprevention and issues in breast cancer liability are other topics included. Summaries of important clinical trials and key concepts are included along with specific references.

Breast Cancer: The Complete Guide by Yashar Hirshaut, M.D and Peter Pressman, M.D.; Bantam Books: 1997 ISBN: 0553372033; 3rd Edition ISBN: 0553380818. Written by a surgeon and an oncologist, this book provides a comprehensive review of the breast cancer experience from diagnosis to treatment, to life after treatment.

Crossing the Chemo Room by Lonna L. Williams, (2000). www.greatunpublished.com. ISBN: 0-1-58898-085. This is a personal story of one woman's fight with cancer. The author is diagnosed with lymphoma, a rare type of cancer. Lonna Williams starts her 20-week chemotherapy program. She befriends several health professionals who work at the treatment center and other patients who are taking chemotherapy at the same time. Lonna depends on her strong Christian faith, supportive husband, church friends and coworkers to help her deal with the emotional and physical issues of cancer.

Diagnosis Cancer, Your Guide through the First Few Months by Wendy Schlessel Harpham, M.D.; W.W. Norton & Co: 1997. ISBN: 0393316912. Written by a physician and past cancer patient who writes from the perspectives of both doctor and patient, this book provides questions to ask during the first few months following diagnosis.

Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book by Susan Love, M.D. with Karen Lindsey; Addison Wesley: 3rd Edition 2000. ISBN: 0738202355. Written by a breast surgeon, this book contains information about breast diseases and beast health. A good resource for every woman, whether or not she has breast cancer.

Facing Fear A Young Women’s Personal Account of Surviving Breast Cancer by Nancy Madey (2000). Lincoln, Nebraska: Writers Club Press, an imprint of iUniverse.com, Inc. ISBN: 0-595-15117-5. While the title emphasizes a young woman’s account; women of all ages can identify with a great deal of Nancy’s journey. The book provides the reader with an insider’s view of the author’s personal encounter as a young wife and new mother being diagnosed not only once but twice with breast cancer. It exposes the highs and lows a survivor may experience from detection through treatment. It also gives an overview of possible treatment choices and emphasizes the importance of self-examination.

First, You Cry by Betty Rollin (2000). New York, New York: Harper Collins Publishers ISBN: 0-06-095630-5. First, You Cry is a re-released memoir written by Betty Rollin about her personal experience with breast cancer. The story documents her feelings and reactions from the time she first noted a change in her breast and continues beyond treatment. The story is poignant and told with humor, offering support to readers who have breast cancer.

Informed Decisions: The Complete Book of Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery by Gerald Murphy, M.D., Lois B. Morris, and Diane Lange (1997). New York, New York: Viking Penguin. ISBN: 0-670-85370-4. This book gives the facts and peace of mind that comes from having accurate, reliable information when needed most. The complete user-friendly decision making guide for anyone confronting cancer.

Journey into Day: Meditations for New Cancer Patients by Rusty Freeman (2000). Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press ISBN: 0-8170-1350-4. This is a book of devotions written by a pastor who himself has been diagnosed with caner twice. The series of devotions follows a journey-like process from early diagnosis through treatment to post treatment. The devotions reflect real struggles, confusion, difficulties and doubts at various stages of the journey. The devotions also give encouragement and advice as given by one who has actually been through the experience.

My Mother’s Breast by Laurie Tarkan (1999). Taylor Publishing Company. Dallas, TX. ISBN: 0-87833-227-8. Each emotional story provided a different twist on how cancer affects a person. The daughters’ raw emotion proves to be an excellent support for other individuals reading this book. The book provides an inside look at the inner thoughts and feelings of women whose mothers have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Otherwise Healthy by Lynda Shrager (2000. At the Pond Publishing ISBN: 0-9708251-3-7. The book is written by a breast cancer survivor who wanted to help others gather and document all aspects of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. She understands how important it is to have all the facts about one's cancer diagnosis organized in one place. The book includes many useful details that will be helpful for a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient. To order Otherwise Healthy, please visit www.otherwisehealthy.com or call them at 518.475.1792.

Straight Talk about Breast Cancer from Diagnosis to Recovery: A Guide for the Entire Family by Suzanne W. Braddock, M.D., Jane M. Kercher, M.D., John J. Edney, M.D., and Melanie Morrissey Clark; Addicus Books: 1996. ISBN: 1886039216. Written by a doctor, the book is a guide for the whole family, answering common questions about breast cancer.

The Breast Cancer Companion by Kathy La Tour; Avon Books: 1994. ISBN: 0380719967. A breast cancer survivor combines personal stories with medical information that provides a comprehensive overview.

The Breast Cancer Handbook-Taking Control After You’ve Found a Lump by Joan Swirsky and Barbara Balaban; Harper Perennial: 1998. ISBN: 1888315059. Written by a clinical nurse specialist and social worker, this book encompasses a step-by-step guide for the woman facing a breast biopsy and diagnosis.

The Breast Cancer Survival Manual by John Link, M.D.; Henry Holt and Company, Inc.: 1998. ISBN: 0805055150; 2nd Edition 2000. ISBN: 0805064001. The book is written as a handbook for the newly diagnosed breast cancer patient so that she can get information and be empowered to participate in the decisions regarding her care and treatment. The resource section includes a list of organizations and a discussion of Internet web sites. The author states that he will update the manual through an Internet web page.

The Complete Cancer Survival Guide by Peter Teeley and Philip Bashe (2000). ISBN: 0-385-486-5-7. Written by colon cancer survivor and former press secretary to George Bush, Peter Teeley covers almost every aspect of cancer care, including the common types of cancer, diagnosis, treatment, symptom management, coping skills, resources, and more. Each topic is outlined using up-to-date information and facts.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Living With Breast Cancer by Sharon Sorenson and Suzanne Metzger (2000). Indianapolis, IN: Alpha Books. Publisher. ISBN: 0-02-863938-3. Easy to read. Gives first hand advance to newly diagnosed patients including “Tales from the Trenches” and “Take it from Us”. There is a reason for hope after breast cancer diagnosis and this book helps with facts about mammograms, and biopsies, simple advice about telling your family and friends, explanations of radiation and hormone therapy for getting through chemotherapy.

The Race is Run One Step at a Time by Nancy Brinker with Catherine McEvily Harris; Summit Publishing Group: 1995. ISBN: 156530182X. A down-to-earth resource book explaining medical information and terminology that includes questions to ask your doctor, photographs and a resource section. The book includes the author’s own story and the dramatic story of her sister, Susan G. Komen.

Understanding Cancer: A Patient’s Guide to Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment by Coleman, C. Norman. (2000) Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN: 0-8018-6019-9. This book, written by a physician, walks a person through the steps that are involved in diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The book offers a detailed explanation of how normal cells behave and how they can become cancer cells and discusses the importance of screening and diagnostic tests. The author discusses the long-term risks and benefits of treatment and how these are considered with treatment options. An overview of standard treatments is given with the focus on chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. A chapter on clinical trials covers the different kinds of trials, importance of research protocol, positive and negative aspects of clinical trials.

When It Happens to You- A Practical Guide Through Breast Cancer by Dal Pozzo and Earlene and Dilts, Joann (2000), California: Bull Publishing Company. ISBN: 0-923521-49-6. The authors, a psychiatrist and a teacher, share their insights from their journeys through breast cancer. The breast cancer survivors help other women know what to expect with a breast cancer diagnosis. They write about times where they struggled to be in charge of their treatments. While the book is not technical, it offers practical information regarding breast cancer issues.

Woman to Woman by Hester Hill Schnipper and Joan Feinberg Berns; New York, NY: Avon Books, Inc., 1996. ISBN: 0038806320; 2nd Edition 1999. ISBN: 0380806320. Written by two breast cancer survivors, this book is full of positive thoughts, practical advice and tips on how to get through the time from breast cancer diagnosis to treatment. The book covers issues such as finding support, selecting a medical team, treatment tips, treatment decisions, survivorship issues and a comprehensive list of resources.

Your Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook, Fourth Edition by Judy C. Kneece, (2001). Columbia, SC: EduCare Publishing. ISBN: 1-886665-10-9. Written by a nurse, this book offers support, information and practical advice for women with breast cancer. Inspirational quotes from a breast cancer survivor in every chapter add to the interest and personal feel of the material. The appendices contain reference material to support and expand upon the information given within the chapters as well as worksheets that make the book an interactive workbook.

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