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UK Patient Information Guide: Breast cancer

This section lists information resources available in the UK for cancer patients and their families. For resources giving general information on cancer, its treatments and effects, please use the links in the right hand menu.

Books

100 Questions & Answers About Breast Cancer
Author Zora Brown
Publisher Jones & Bartlett Publishers
Description Written in easy to read question and answer format, this book covers all aspects of breast cancer from diagnosis to treatment and recovery. As it is American some of the information about treatments will not be relevant to the UK.
ISBN 0-763735-67‑1
Date 2005
All Woman: Life After Breast Cancer
Author Tania Farrell Yelland (ed)
Publisher Metro Books
Description The book is divided into two sections. The first is a series of short personal accounts written by women who have been treated for breast cancer. The women are of all ages, and from different backgrounds, including some well-known personalities. All the accounts are readable and encouraging. The second section is written by Professor Ian Smith of the Royal Marsden Hospital and outlines the management of breast cancer. The book also includes a helpful medical guide to the disease, and a comprehensive resource section.
ISBN 1-842410-04-0
Date 2000
Be A Survivor: Your Guide To Breast Cancer Treatment
Author Vladimir Lange
Publisher Lange Productions
Description A very comprehensive and well-presented book, with information on diagnosis, surgery, breast reconstruction, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as complementary therapies. It uses clear illustrations and photographs of real patients and healthcare settings to give the patient a sense of what to expect. It does reflect the American healthcare system, so some information may not apply to a UK reader.
ISBN 0-966361-09-1
Date 2002
Coping With Breast Cancer
Author Terry Priestman
Publisher Sheldon Press
Description Written by one of Cancerbackup’s medical advisors (a senior consultant oncologist), this book explains about diagnosis, treatment and living with breast cancer.
ISBN 978-0859699686
Date 2006
Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book
Author Susan Love
Publisher Da Capo Press
Description A general book on breast problems including breast cancer and breast reconstruction. An American book so some information may not be relevant to UK residents.
ISBN 978-0738209739
Date 2005
Looking After My Breasts – Books Beyond Words Series
Author Sheila Hollins and Wendy Perez
Publisher Gaskell
Description This book is designed to inform and guide supporters and carers of women with learning disabilities going for breast screening. Feelings, information and consent are all addressed. The booklet can be used to prepare women with learning difficulties for breast screening.
ISBN 1-901242-53-6
Date 2000
Recovering From Breast Surgery: Exercises to Strengthen Your Body and Relieve Pain
Author Diana Stumm
Publisher Hunter House
Description Written by an American physiotherapist, this is an easy to read guide to simple exercises, to improve movement after breast surgery. Some aspects are not relevant to the UK reader.
ISBN 0‑897931‑80-7
Date 1995
Tamoxifen and Breast Cancer
Author Michael DeGregorio & Valerie J Wiebe
Publisher Yale University
Description A good reference book for patients, which addresses common questions. It explains what chemotherapy drugs may be used and why, the role of tamoxifen, its side effects and the possibility of resistance to it.
ISBN 0-300079-51-6
Date 2000
The Breast Cancer Book: An Essential Guide to Dealing With Diagnosis, Treatment and Life After Breast Cancer
Author Val Sampson and Debbie Fenlon
Publisher Vermillion
Description Based on the author’s own experience and co‑written with experts in the field, this book is an excellent source of information and support for any woman diagnosed with breast cancer. It succeeds in showing women that it is possible to lead a happy and fulfilling life after a diagnosis of breast cancer. It also answers many of the complex questions that women have about cancer treatments, in an understandable way.
ISBN 0‑091884‑53-5
Date 2002
Understanding the Menopause and HRT
Author Anne MacGregor
Publisher Family Doctor Publications
Description An up to date, easy to read book containing useful information on the risks and benefits of HRT.
ISBN 1-903474-11-6
Date 2005
Uplift: Practical and Reassuring Advice From Breast Cancer Survivors
Author Barbara Delinsky
Publisher Piatkus
Description A collection of tips and anecdotes from women who have had breast cancer, put together by an American romantic novelist, who has also had breast cancer. Covers many aspects of breast cancer, including being given the diagnosis, coping with the loss of a breast, side effects of treatment, coping with cancer, effects on family and friends and the partners of women diagnosed.
ISBN 0-749923-37-7
Date 2002
Your Guide to Breast Cancer Services 2007
Author Breast Cancer Care & Dr Foster
Description This directory provides comprehensive information about services for people affected by breast cancer. It includes an overview of the disease, information about sources of support and information and a listing of all breast clinics and units in the UK.
ISBN 1-870577-91‑4
Obtain from Copies can be ordered via www.breastcancercare.org.uk/Publications or by calling 020 7384 2984. All of the information is also available from the website www.drfoster.co.uk/breastcancer
Your Guide To Breast Cancer – The Royal Society of Medicine
Author Jacqueline Lewis
Publisher Hodder Arnold
Description Written by a leading breast cancer surgeon. Provides facts, guidance and support to enable the reader to make informed choices and regain control of their life. Includes a questions and answers section.
ISBN 978-0340905005
Date 2005

Booklets and factsheets

50 or over? Breast Screening is For You
Author NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
Description A picture leaflet for women with a learning disability to tell them about breast screening and where to get more information.
Date 2003
URL http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/breastscreen/publications/wwld-over50.html
Be Aware of Change
Author Wessex Cancer Trust
Description Changes in the breast and what to look for
Obtain from Wessex Cancer Trust, Bellis House, 11 Westwood Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1DL. Tel: 023 80672200 Fax: 023 80672266
Download leaflet (PDF document)
URL http://www.wessexcancer.org
Be Breast Aware
Author NHS Breast Screening Programme and Cancer Research UK
Description Gives guidance on being breast aware and encourages women to get to know their own breasts.
URL http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/breastscreen/publications/be-breast-aware.html
Breast Cancer
Author Royal Marsden NHS Trust
Description Booklet
URL http://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/rmh/cancer/learnaboutcancer/breastcancer
Breast cancer and menopausal symptoms
Author Cancerbackup
Description Factsheet
Obtain from Online version available
Breast Cancer Awareness
Author Royal Marsden NHS Trust
Description Booklet
URL http://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/rmh/cancer/breastcancerawareness
Breast Cancer Care booklets
Author Breast Cancer Care
Description Breast Cancer Care publishes a wide range of free booklets on all aspects of breast cancer.
Obtain from Further information on these booklets with ordering details may be viewed on the Breast Cancer Care website at: www.breastcancercare.org.uk Alternatively, telephone the Breast Cancer Care helpline on 0808 800 6000.
URL http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk
Breast cancer in men
Author Cancerbackup
Description Factsheet
Obtain from Online version available
Breast cancer – spot the changes early and why screening is important
Author Cancer Research UK
Description This leaflet contains information about risk factors for breast cancer and how you can be breast aware.
Obtain from

Online at http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/ourpublications/cancerawareness/?a=5441
Or call 020 7061 8333 or email publications@cancer.org.uk

Breast Implants and Breast Screening
Author NHS Cancer Screening Programme
Description Gives women information about how breast implants affect mammography.
Date 2002
URL http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/breastscreen/publications/l-01.html
Breast Reconstruction - Arm Care
Author Wessex Cancer Trust
Description Booklet
Obtain from Wessex Cancer Trust, Bellis House, 11 Westwood Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1DL. Tel: 023 8067 2200. Fax: 023 8067 2266.
URL http://www.wessexcancer.org
Breast Screening - The Facts
Author NHS Breast Screening Programme and Cancer Research UK
Description Explains what screening can and cannot achieve. Includes an explanation about false positive and false negative results. Available in a wide range of community languages as well as English and also a Braille version.
URL http://www.cancerscreening.org.uk/breastscreen/publications/ia-02.html
Breast Screening: A Pocket Guide
Author NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
Description A simple guide to breast screening designed for anyone who works or takes an interest in the breast screening programme.
Date April 2008
URL http://www.cancerscreening.org.uk/breastscreen/publications/a-pocket-guide.html
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Author Wessex Cancer Trust
Description Leaflet
Obtain from Wessex Cancer Trust, Bellis House, 11 Westwood Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1DL. Tel: 023 8067 2200. Fax: 023 8067 2266.
URL http://www.wessexcancer.org
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Author Cancerbackup
Description Factsheet
Obtain from Online version available
Early Breast Cancer - A Guide to Treatment Options
Author Wessex Cancer Trust
Description Leaflet
Obtain from Wessex Cancer Trust, Bellis House, 11 Westwood Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1DL. Tel: 023 8067 2200. Fax: 023 8067 2266.
URL http://www.wessexcancer.org
Inflammatory breast cancer
Author Cancerbackup
Description Factsheet
Obtain from Online version available
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
Author Cancerbackup
Description Factsheet
Obtain from Online version available
Nipple Discharge
Author Wessex Cancer Trust
Description Leaflet
Obtain from Wessex Cancer Trust, Bellis House, 11 Westwood Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1DL. Tel: 023 8067 2200. Fax: 023 8067 2266.
URL http://www.wessexcancer.org
Treatment Options: Chemotherapy
Author Wessex Cancer Trust
Description A leaflet specifically for breast cancer patients who are about to undergo chemotherapy
Obtain from Wessex Cancer Trust, Bellis House, 11 Westwood Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1DL. Tel: 023 8067 2200. Fax: 023 8067 2266.
URL http://www.wessexcancer.org
Treatment Options: Oophorectomy
Author Wessex Cancer Trust
Description A leaflet specifically for breast cancer patients who are about to undergo removal of the ovaries
Obtain from Wessex Cancer Trust, Bellis House, 11 Westwood Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1DL. Tel: 023 8067 2200. Fax: 023 8067 2266.
URL http://www.wessexcancer.org
Understanding breast cancer
Author Cancerbackup
Description Booklet
Obtain from Online version available
Order from Cancerbackup
Understanding breast reconstruction
Author Cancerbackup
Description Booklet
Obtain from Online version available
Order from Cancerbackup
Understanding breast screening
Author Cancerbackup
Description Booklet
Obtain from Online version available
Order from Cancerbackup
Understanding secondary breast cancer
Author Cancerbackup
Description Booklet
Obtain from Online version available
Order from Cancerbackup
Your Partner Has Cancer...So What About You
Author Wessex Cancer Trust
Description For the close family of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Obtain from Wessex Cancer Trust, Bellis House, 11 Westwood Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1DL. Tel: 023 8067 2200. Fax: 023 8067 2266.
URL http://www.wessexcancer.org

Multimedia

Diagnosing and treating breast cancer
Author Breast Cancer Care
Description Booklet and audiotape
Obtain from Tel: 0808 800 6000. Email: info@breastcancercare.org.uk
URL http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk
Understanding breast screening
Author Cancerbackup
Description Audiotape
Obtain from Order from Cancerbackup

All resources in UK patient information guide have been reviewed by Cancerbackup specialist nurses and all details were correct at time of review.

Feedback about these resources or suggestions for inclusion are welcome - please contact us.


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