5 Books You Need to Read When You Have Cancer

by Kathryn White

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amazing support and recommendations your friends and family are offering you? Are people sending you lists of books to read to inspire you and help you find you way to navigate your diagnosis? There are a lot of resources out there, and admittedly, I would love to read them all but what I am also aware of is overwhelm. 

Since my stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis 10 years ago I have done a lot of reading. And what I have learned is that it can get very overwhelming. My brain can only hand so much information, and in the early weeks, months, and even years when a recommendation came my way I had to really consider why it was being shared with me, what benefit it would have for me, and if I was ready for that level of information.

I struggled with wanting to gather information to learn and heal, while at the same time feeling overwhelmed by too much information. 

To help you make some reading choices, if that is what you are ready for, I am sharing with you the five books I have found most helpful and why I found them helpful.

Here are five books that will give you guidance during your walk with cancer:

Radical Remission by Kelly A. Turner

Why I like it: In my Holistic Cancer Coach training, we spent some time on the idea of exceptional healing patient. People, who in spite of the diagnosis, rise above the statistics and beliefs that surround cancer. Radical Remission clearly outlines nine key factors that you can bring into your life to help yourself. I also like that it doesn't negate conventional medicine and make people feel shame for not doing just holistic. It sends the message that both are choices that you can make based on what feels best for you.

What I learned from it: The big take away for me was that although cancer is a physical condition and requires physical healing, much of the work is on an emotional and spiritual level.

How it supports your life with cancer: This book reminds you that there are so many aspects to healing and that you can have an active role in your healing process. You can get your copy here.

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

Why I like it: This book is an easy read that is broken down into small digestible segments. The text is very accessible and speaks to you on an every day level, not in scientific terms or context. It also provides exercises to try to reinforce the concept being discussed.

What I learned from it: A really important message I got from this book is that healing is a process that requires self-love and patience. It also requires you to be an active participant in the process. Healing doesn't happen by accident or without effort.

How it supports your life with cancer: Emotional healing and releasing the past so that you can enjoy life right now and find peace is a key aspect of healing the body, mind, and spirit. You can get your copy here.

Peace of Mind by Thich Nat Hanh

Why I like it: This is a simple and clear book that teaches you how to be present in your life. Being present is very important because the tendency can be to slip into the past or to project into the future, two actions that do not help you to live right now.

What I learned from it: Breath work has been part of my healing process since I learned about it in yoga teacher training. Your breath is connected to every action you take and every thought you have. Each section of the book teaches you a technique and shares a breath and mantra that supports the technique. It allowed me to go deeper into my understand of how simple it can be to use your breath as a tool for healing.

How it supports your life with cancer: When you stay present you can learn to enjoy and appreciate your life right now, no matter where you are in your cancer story. Peace of Mind helps to remind you that all you really have exists right now, and that in itself can provide you peace of mind. You can get your copy here.

Outside the Box Cancer Therapies

Why I like it: This is a complete guide to holistic modalities while at the same time it discusses conventional medicine. Outside the Box Cancer Therapies helps you to understand what you are facing and what you may experience. The content is based in science and studies for the reader who wants to know where their information is coming from.

What I learned from it: This book allowed me to learn what I wanted to know when I was ready to learn it. As a reader I could choose what interested me at the time and then go back to learn other modalities and theories when I was ready. I learned about holistic practices that I had not previously been aware of and how they can support the healing process.

How it supports your life with cancer: This book is an opportunity to explore what you can do outside of conventional medicine, and how you can do it. It also supports you through diagnosis, treatment and post-cancer from a prevention perspective, which is what is needed for recurrence prevention. You can get your copy here.

May Cause Miracles

Why I like it: Mindset is a very important part of life with cancer. Broken down into sections that are then broken down day by day, this book walks you through subtle shifts for radical change in your life, and is very easy to read and integrate into your life.

What I learned from it: Paying attention to your thoughts can be life changing. By noticing what you are thinking, understanding why you are thinking it, and learning how to margin your thoughts you can create a calmer and more peaceful life.

How it supports your life with cancer: Fear-filled and overwhelming thoughts are one of the topics that comes up the most in my coaching practise. Knowing how to manage the sneaky thoughts that want to keep you living in fear can make living with cancer just a little bit easier. Integrating the practices into your life can be life changing. You can get your copy here.

and I want to add a sixth recommendation, my recently published book

Living to Thrive: a holistic guide to living with cancer by Kathryn White

(yes, this is my book)

Why I like it: I tell real stories from my own cancer experience. The stories are integrated into the lessons I share so that you can see why the lessons are important and how a cancer survivor can use them to become a cancer thriver. Living with cancer isn't theoretical, it is real and having a real cancer thriver share their lived experience highlights that it is possible to move through and overcome cancer.

What I learned from it: Writing Living to Thrive: a holistic guide to living with cancer took me one more level into my own healing. I used questions and concerns that my clients brought to me as a personal reflection and then in turn brought them to you, the reader. My book helped me to see how much I have done over the past ten years to support myself and my healing, and reminded me that you can do hard things when you believe in yourself.

How it supports your life with cancer: This book is written around the body, mind and spirit approach to healing. Cancer is happening in your body, while at the same time impacting your mind and spirit. You can find a path to thriving through the real life examples and tools that I have woven into the book. Your healing doesn't have to wait; it can start right now, which is the intention of my book - to help you get started. You can get your copy here.

There is a lot to navigate when you are living with cancer. When you have guidance and tools in your life you start to reclaim your life and choose to learn how to live with cancer. Cancer does not get to control your life, you do. 

To learn more about reclaiming your life and choosing to learn how to live with cancer join me in my 7 Day Get Thriving Mini-Course. This mini-course begins when you sign up. Get daily email reminders to access this mini-course that shows you some of the key fundamentals to becoming a cancer thriver.

Ready to become a cancer thriver? To step out of overwhelm and confusion? Want a self-directed program that takes you step by step towards thriving? Become a member of the Living to Thrive Monthly Membership. For just $37 a month you get a monthly group coaching call, access to the 6 month Thriver Success Path, and support from lessons, downloadable PDFs and more. Learn more here.

Want to know more about Personalized Cancer Coaching. Schedule a free 30 minute call to learn more.

If you would like to know more about the concept of living with cancer, I have written a book all about my personal experience with moving from survivor to thriver. In my book I offer anecdotes and strategies that will encourage you to learn how to thrive with cancer. You can get a copy of Living to Thrive: a holistic guide to living with cancer here.

Kathryn White is a Certified Holistic Cancer Coach who supports women to turn their cancer diagnosis into a thriving story one woman at a time.