Cancerbackup: Patient Information Guide
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Cancerbackup has merged with Macmillan. Together we can provide a wealth of high quality information about cancer.
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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
| A Dragon in Your Heart |
| Author
| Sophie Leblanc |
| Publisher
| Jessica Kingsley |
| Description
| This book uses a fairy story approach to help young children to come to terms with cancer. This book is aimed at young children, but would need an adult to read it with the child to explain some concepts. |
| Date
| 1999 |
| A Young Person's Guide to Lymphoma |
| Author
| Lymphoma Association |
| Description
| A useful and clearly written guide for teenagers/adolescents, which provides information on issues such as diet, sex and fertility, going into hospital, going home after treatment, and relationships with family and friends.
|
| Date
| 2003 |
| Obtain from
| Free from the Lymphoma Association on 0808 808 5555 |
| URL
| http://www.lymphoma.org.uk |
| Body and Soul: Children, Teenagers and Cancer |
| Author
| Mark Ragg |
| Publisher
| Michelle Anderson Publishing |
| Description
| For families with children who have been diagnosed with cancer. Could also be useful for health professionals. Non-technical and written for the lay person. |
| Date
| 1995 |
| Brothers and Sisters: How to Help the Siblings of Very Sick and Disabled Children |
| Author
| Sarah Barrell |
| Description
| Aimed at parents and carers and offers advice and information for supporting siblings of sick children. This is a very well written booklet with good practical advice and reference to other useful organisations. |
| ISBN
| 095428710X |
| Date
| 2002 |
| Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Practical Guide to Your Future |
| Author
| Nancy Keene |
| Publisher
| O'Reilly & Associates |
| Description
| Although American, this book is still very relevant for the UK. It has been written for people who had cancer as a child and have survived into adulthood. It has chapters on emotions, relationships, staying healthy and childhood cancers. The second half of the book deals with the long-term side effects that can occur in each of the body's systems. |
| ISBN
| 1-565924-60-6 |
| Date
| 2000 |
| Childhood Cancer: Understanding and Coping |
| Author
| Henry Ekert |
| Publisher
| Gordon & Breach Science Publishers |
| Description
| Comprehensive medical text, but quite explicit on some of the worse aspects of childhood cancer. Deals with psychological aspects of emotions and reactions to childhood cancer. It is suitable for very well informed and prepared parents. |
| Date
| 1989 |
| Childhood Leukaemia: The Facts |
| Author
| J.S. Lilleyman |
| Publisher
| Oxford University Press |
| Description
| A book written for parents, explaining the development of leukaemia, the treatment that will be offered, what sort of progress can be expected, and the after effects of leukaemia and its treatment on survivors. |
| Date
| 2000 |
| Jack's Diary |
| Author
| Deborah Hubbard |
| Publisher
| Leukaemia Research Fund |
| Description
| The real life story of a boy receiving treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and includes real life pictures and cartoons. |
| Date
| 2002 |
| Obtain from
| Online version at www.justgiving.com/Design/6/diary.pdf (PDF document). |
| URL
| http://www.lrf.org.uk |
| Joe has Leukaemia |
| Author
| Victoria Barton et al |
| Publisher
| CLIC Sargent |
| Description
| An illustrated book for children with leukaemia, or for children who know someone with leukaemia. Explains about leukaemia and the treatments, with lots of pictures. Also in series: Mary has a Brain Tumour and Lucy has a Tumour. |
| URL
| http://www.clicsargent.org.uk |
Languages
| English Urdu Bengali Punjabi Gujarati Welsh
|
| Kathy's Hats: A Story of Hope |
| Author
| Trudy Krisher |
| Publisher
| Albert Whitman & Company |
| Description
| A book about nine-year-old Kathy, who has chemotherapy for cancer. Her hair falls out and she has to wear hats. Well illustrated and a supportive story. |
| ISBN
| 0807541168 |
| Date
| 1992 |
| Living with Leukaemia |
| Author
| Patsy Wescott |
| Publisher
| Wayland |
| Description
| Most appropriate for siblings or friends of a child with leukaemia. Includes stories about children who are either being treated for or have recovered from the disease. Gives simple explanations of leukaemia, tests and treatments and explains that not all children are successfully treated. |
| ISBN
| 0750241616 |
| Date
| 2002 |
| Me and My Face |
| Author
| Victoria Henderson |
| Publisher
| Let's Face It |
| Description
| A light-hearted look at facial disfigurement. It is written for children and their parents. |
| Date
| 1989 |
| Obtain from
| Christine Piff, Let's Face It, 72 Victoria Avenue, Westgate On Sea, Kent CT8 8BH. Tel: 01843 833724. |
| URL
| http://www.lets-face-it.org.uk/publications.html |
| Me and My Marrow |
| Author
| Karen Crowe |
| Publisher
| Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc |
| Description
| A comprehensive children's guide to bone marrow transplants. |
| Date
| 1999 |
| Obtain from
| Only available online at www.meandmymarrow.com |
| My Brain Tumour Adventures: The Story of a Little Boy Coping with a Brain Tumour |
| Author
| Sharon Dempsey |
| Publisher
| Jessica Kingsley Publishers |
| Description
| An illustrated childrens story about a little boy with a brain tumour. This book is designed to help children and adults come to terms with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and the side effects of their medicines. However, the book does use some adult terminology and should be read accompanied by an adult to help explain these words. |
| ISBN
| 1843101254 |
| Date
| 2002 |
| When a Child has Cancer |
| Author
| Ann Faulkner et al |
| Publisher
| Nelson Thornes |
| Description
| This book describes a project where children over seven and close family members were interviewed. This book would principally be of interest to professionals involved with the care of children with cancer. It can be very hard going but has a very useful literature review and UK references. |
| Date
| 1995 |
| Wilms Tumor: A Practical Guide for the Parents of Children with Wilms Tumor |
| Author
| Jeannie Wurz |
| Publisher
| Kidney Cancer Association |
| Description
| Written for parents of children with Wilms tumour covering what it is, diagnosis, treatment, and post treatment interspersed, with children's experiences. Written for the US reader and some aspects not relevant to the UK but still a useful patient resource. |
| Date
| 2001 |
| Obtain from
| Available online at www.kidneycancer.org |
| You and Leukaemia: A Day at a Time |
| Author
| Lynn S. Baker |
| Publisher
| WB Saunders |
| Description
| Written for children, this book has lots of lively illustrations as well as clear descriptions of, what leukaemia is, having treatment and living with leukaemia. It is an American book but is distributed in UK and still useful. |
| ISBN
| 0721614957 |
| Date
| Revised 2001 |
| Young People with Cancer: A Handbook for Parents |
| Author
| National Cancer Institute |
| Description
| A very comprehensive publication for parents who have a child with cancer. It gives information on all the stages of a child’s illness and what to expect. It explains the different treatments and side effects etc. However, as an American publication not all details will be relevant and it can be a little bit overwhelming with the amount of detail. |
| Obtain from
| Online at: www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/youngpeople |
Booklets and factsheets
| Ben's Bone Marrow Transplant |
| Author
| CCLG |
| Description
| Aimed at young people preparing for a bone marrow transplant. |
| URL
| http://www.cclg.org.uk |
| Brain and Spinal Tumours |
| Author
| CCLG |
| Description
| A parent's guide to brain and spinal tumours in children and young people. |
| URL
| http://www.cclg.org.uk |
| Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia |
| Author
| Leukaemia Research Fund |
| Description
| Booklet |
| Obtain from
| Leukaemia Research Fund, 43 Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JJ
Tel: 020 7405 0101 Fax: 020 7242 1488 |
| URL
| http://www.lrf.org.uk |
| Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukaemia |
| Author
| Leukaemia Research Fund |
| Description
| Booklet |
| Obtain from
| Leukaemia Research Fund, 43 Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JJ
Tel: 020 7405 0101 Fax: 020 7242 1488 |
| URL
| http://www.lrf.org.uk |
| Dexamethasone |
| Author
| CCLG |
| Description
| A guide for parents in managing the behaviour of children whilst taking Dexamethasone. |
| URL
| http://www.cclg.org.uk |
| Fighting The Big 'C' |
| Publisher
| CLIC Sargent |
| Description
| A guide to help young people and their families understand cancer and its treatments. |
| URL
| http://www.clicsargent.org.uk |
| Giving Medicines to Children |
| Author
| Wessex Cancer Trust |
| Description
| A booklet for parents and carers on how to administer medicines to babies and children: different types of medicine, measuring doses, helping the child to take the medicine, using oral syringes etc |
| 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 |
| How to Help Brothers and Sisters |
| Author
| CCLG |
| Description
| Booklet for anyone caring for siblings |
| URL
| http://www.cclg.org.uk |
| I'm Still Me: A Guide For Young People |
| Author
| Macmillan Cancer Support |
| Description
| A booklet answering questions and offering tips to 12-21 year olds living with cancer. It includes insights from young people who have lived with cancer. |
| Date
| August 2008 |
| Obtain from
| Order from be.Macmillan or call 0800 500 800. |
| Leukaemia and related diseases |
| Author
| Leukaemia Research Fund |
| Description
| Booklet |
| Obtain from
| Leukaemia Research Fund, 43 Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JJ
Tel: 020 7405 0101 Fax: 020 7242 1488 |
| URL
| http://www.lrf.org.uk |
| My Brother has Cancer |
| Author
| CCLG |
| Description
| A short story about cancer for the under–9s |
| URL
| http://www.cclg.org.uk/ |
| Neuroblastoma |
| Author
| Neuroblastoma Society |
| Description
| A booklet for parents |
| Obtain from
| Online at www.nsoc.co.uk/parentbook.pdf (PDF document)
or tel: 020 8940 4353. |
| Stem Cell Transplant |
| Author
| CCLG |
| Description
| For teenagers and young adults preparing for a stem cell transplant. |
| URL
| http://www.cclg.org.uk |
| The Child with Cancer in School |
| Author
| Wessex Cancer Trust |
| Description
| A booklet for teachers with a child cancer patient in their class: practical advice, what to say to other children, what to do in an emergency, and a glossary. |
| 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 Retinoblastoma |
| Author
| Childhood Eye Cancer Trust |
| Description
| Booklet |
| Obtain from
| Available to download on CHECT's website. |
| URL
| http://www.chect.org.uk |
| We Can Make It - A Guide for Teenagers with Cancer |
| Author
| Wessex Cancer Trust |
| Description
| A booklet for teenagers who are about to undergo treatment for cancer, giving practical and personal advice. |
| 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 |
| What's Going On: A Guide for Teenagers with Cancer |
| Author
| CanTeen Ireland |
| Description
| A booklet to provide information and support to teenagers with cancer. Each chapter deals with the different stages they will encounter, including treatment, being in hospital, getting on with life. |
| Obtain from
| Online at www.canteen.ie/about.html |
| When Someone in Your Family Has Cancer |
| Author
| National Cancer Institute |
| Description
| A leaflet written for young people with a parent or other family member who has cancer. Includes sections on the disease, its treatment, and emotional concerns. |
| Obtain from
| Online at www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/when-someone-in-your-family |
| When your Brother or Sister gets Cancer |
| Author
| CCLG |
| Description
| Gives facts about cancer for 9–16 year olds brothers and sisters |
| URL
| http://www.cclg.org.uk |
| Your Guide to Radiotherapy |
| Author
| Wessex Cancer Trust |
| Description
| Fully illustrated booklets providing information about radiotherapy in accessible manner. The leaflets are age-targeted, under 6's, 6-11 and teenagers. |
| 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 |
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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Further information resources...
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