Cancer: 100 Ways to Fight
Selected Bibliography
Fear is caused largely by things we do not know or understand.
––John Roberts
I have researched or read many sources in search of quotes, ideas, motivation, and education. Those books I recommend are listed below, and they are among the best I can find for patients, survivors, professionals, caregivers, and loved ones. I have quoted all of them briefly, not only to provide you with a diversity of well-stated ideas, but to help you select authoritative sources you would like to explore or own. See also the separate list of my essential favorites that follows.
All the book sections and chapters begin with a page of pertinent quotations from almost all the books below; I suggest that the reader seek these selected books for excellent information and opinion. Each chapter is short, intended only as an introduction, so I urge you to dig deeper in search of greater understanding of those subjects that interest you. See the Amazon summaries for further opinion and information about each book. I found most in local libraries.
Since the thesis of this book is that you can exert some degree of control over the progress and treatment of your cancer, it follows that doing your homework will assist you. We all have things to learn, and my own ability to fight cancer has benefited immeasurably from my research in this large collection. I urge you to delve into as many as you can find that fit your situation. You will be surprised at how you’re your study changes you for the better and generates the desired confidence and positive attitude, especially if you are the patient.
Because of the rapid advances in cancer research, treatment and survivability, and because there are so many books on cancer, I advise you to concentrate on the more recent ones. Those more than a few years old are listed and respected because of their quality or special nature, but you should use caution with their content. As always, books are a beginning and background, but your doctor is the authority. The internet, of course, is a great reservoir of up-to-date information if you make an effort to sift and qualify the sources. See the list of web sites that follows.
Cancer Books
Anderson, Greg. 50 Essential Things to Do When the Doctor Says It’s Cancer. New York: Plume (Penguin), 1993, 143 pp.
Armstrong, Lance, with Sally Jenkins. It’s Not about the Bike: My Journey Back to Life. New York: Putnam’s, 2000, 275 pp.
Bognar, David. Cancer: Increasing Your Odds for Survival. Alameda, CA: Hunter House, 1998, 300 pp.
Chamberlain, Jonathan. Cancer: The Complete Recovery Guide.
New York: Long Island Press, 2008, 384 pp.
Coleman, C. Norman, M.D., Understanding Cancer: A Patient’s Guide to Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment, 2nd Ed. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006, 206 pp.
Eyre, Harmon J. M.D., Dianne Partie Lange, Lois B. Morris. Informed Decisions: The Complete Book of Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery 2nd Ed. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, 2002, 768 pp.
Givler, Amy, M.D. Hope in the Face of Cancer: A Survival Guide for the Journey You Did Not Choose. Harvest House, 2003, 224 pp.
Healy, Bernadine. Living Time: Faith and Facts to Transform Your Cancer Journey. New York: Bantam, 2008, 352 pp.
Kalick, Rosanne. Cancer Etiquette: What to Say, What to Do, When Someone You Know or Love has Cancer. Scarsdale, NY: Lion Books, 2005, 146 pp.
Lamb, Kirsten. Cancer (Health Issues Series). New York: Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers (Harcourt), 2003, 64 pp.
Moore, Katen, MSN, RN, and Libby Schmais, MFA, MLS. Living Well with Cancer: A Nurse Tells You Everything You Need to Know About Managing the Side Effects of Your Treatment. New York: Putnam, 2001, 297 pp.
Panno, Joseph, Ph.D. Cancer: The Role of Genes, Lifestyle & Environment. New York: Facts On File, 2005, 162 pp.
Rawls, George, M.D., Frank Lloyd, M.D., Michael T. Slaughter, M.D., Managing Cancer: The African American’s Guide to Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment. Chicago: Hilton Publishing, 2006, 362 pp.
Runowicz, Carolyn D., M.D. and Sheldon H. Cherry, M.D. with Dianne Partie Lange. The Answer to Cancer: Stop It Before It Starts. Arrest It in Its Earliest Stages. Keep It from Coming Back. New York: Rodale Press, 2004, 290 pp.
Schwartz, Anna L., Ph.D. Cancer Fitness: Exercise Programs for Patients and Survivors. New York: Fireside (Simon & Schuster), 2004, 283 pp.
Simon, David, M.D. Return to Wholeness: Embracing Body, Mind, and Spirit in the Face of Cancer. New York: Wiley, 1999, 275 pp.
Teeley, Peter and Philip Bashe. The Complete Cancer Survival Guide. New York: Broadway Books (Random House), 2005, 988 pp.
Thiboldeaux, Kim and Mitch Golant. The Total Cancer Wellness Guide: Reclaiming Your Life After Diagnosis. Dallas: BenBella Books, 2007, 306 pp.
Visel, Dave. Living with Cancer: A Practical Guide. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2006, 375 pp. (Negative Attitude)
Weinberg, Robert A. One Renegade Cell: How Cancer Begins. New York: Basic Books (Perseus), 1998, 170 pp.
Prostate Cancer Books
Bostwick, David G. MD, Ed. Complete Guide to Prostate Cancer. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, 2005, 394 pp.
Condor, Bob and Curtis Pesmen. Your Prostate Cancer Survivors’ Guide. Suffern, NY: Tatra Press; Boulder, CO: BoCo Media, 171 pp.
Scardino, Peter T., with Judith Kelman. Dr. Peter Scardino’s Prostate Book. New York: Penguin, 2005, 481 pp. (Chairman, Department of Urology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, Outstanding survey).
Strum, Stephen B., and Donna Pogliano. A Primer on Prostate Cancer: The Empowered Patient’s Guide, 2nd Ed. Hollywood, FL: Life Extension Foundation, 2005, 124 pp.
Torrey, E. Fuller. Surviving Prostate Cancer: What You Need to Know to Make Informed Decisions. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2006, 280 pp.
Walsh, Patrick C., and Janet Farrar Worthington. Dr. Patrick Walsh’s Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer. New York: Warner Books, 2001, 462 pp. (New 2007 edition now available)
Other Medical Books
Friedlander, Mark P, Jr. & Terry M. Phillips, Ph.D. The Immune System: Your Body’s Disease-Fighting Army. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1998, 112 pp.
Gaylin, Willard, M.D. Talk Is Not Enough: How Psychotherapy Really Works. New York: Little, Brown, 2000, 321 pp.
Goldberg, Linn, M.D., and Diane L. Elliot, M.D. The Healing Power of Exercise. New York: John Wiley, 2000, 298 pp.
Groopman, Jerome, M.D. The Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of Illness. New York: Random House, 2003, 273 pp. (Cassette available.)
Groopman, Jerome, M.D. How Doctors Think. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2007, 320 pp.
Gruman, Jesse, Ph.D., AfterShock: What To Do When the Doctor Gives You–or Someone You Love–A devastating Diagnosis. New York: Walker & Co., 2007, 276 pp.
Kramp, Erin Tierney, and Douglas H. Kramp, with Emily P. McKhann. Living with the end in mind: A practical checklist for living life to the fullest by embracing your mortality. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1998, 2006.
Lembke, Janet. The Quality of Life: Living Well, Dying Well. Guilford, CT: Lyons Press, 2003, 209 pp.
Lipschitz, David A., M.D., Ph.D. Breaking the Rules of Aging. Washington, D.C: Lifeline Press (Regnery), 2002, 260 pp.
Morris, Virginia. How to Care for Aging Parents. 2nd Ed. New York: Workman Publishing, 2004, 691 pp.
Nuland, Sherwin B., M.D. The Art of Aging: A Doctor’s Prescription for Well-Being. New York: Random House, 2007, 302 pp.
Pikula, Donna L., D.D.S., M.S. After the Diagnosis: How to Look Out for Yourself or a Loved One. Hartland, MI: Books 2 Help You, 2006, 273 pp.
Roizen, Michael F., M.D. and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D. You: The Owner’s Manual. New York: HarperResource (HarperCollins), 2005, 417 pp.
–––. You: The Smart Patient. New York: HarperResource (HarperCollins), 2006, 412 pp.
–––. You: Staying Young. New York: Free Press (Simon & Schuster), 2007, 415 pp.
Tierney, Lawrence M. Jr., M.D., Stephen J. McPhee, M.D., Maxine A. Papadakis, M.D., 2006 Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment, 45th Ed. New York: Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill, 2006, 1884 pp.
Vickery, Donald M., M.D. and James F. Fries, M.D. Take Care of Yourself: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Medical Self-Care, 8th Ed. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press (Perseus), 2005, 356 pp.
Weil, Andrew, M.D. Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Physical and Spiritual Well-Being. Anchor Books (Random House), 2005, 293 pp.
Weil, Andrew, M.D. 8 Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body’s Natural Healing Power, Revised. New York: Knopf, 2006, 306 pp.
Personal Books
Albom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie: An old man, a young man, and life’s greatest lesson. New York: Bantam, 1997, 192 pp.
Belitz, Justin. Success: Full Living. Indianapolis, IN: The Hermitage, 1991, 127 pp.
Canfield, Jack, and Mark Victor Hansen, Ed. Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul: Stories About Life, Death and Overcoming the Loss of a Loved One. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, 2003, 270 pp.
Canfield, Jack, Mark Victor Hansen, LeAnn Thieman, Ed. Chicken Soup for the Caregiver’s Soul: Stories to Inspire Caregivers in the Home, the Community and the World. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, 2004, 373 pp.
Carlson, Richard, Ph.D. What About the Big Stuff: Finding Strength and Moving Forward When the Stakes Are High. New York: Hyperion, 2002, 294 pp.
Comte-Sponville, André. Trans. Catherine Temerson. A Small Treatise on the Great Virtues: The Uses of Philosophy in Everyday Life. New York: Metropolitan Books (Random House), 2001, 352 pp.
Covey, Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Restoring the Character Ethic. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1989, 358 pp.
Ferrucci, Piero. The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life. New York: Penguin, 2006, 227 pp.
Goleman, Daniel, Ph.D., Emotional Intelligence: Why it Can Matter More Than IQ. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 1995, 352 pp.
Greer, Colin, & Herbert Kohl. A Call to Character: A Family Treasury. New York: HarperCollins, 1995, 446 pp.
Hallowell, Edward, M.D. Dare to Forgive. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, 2004, 272 pp. (See also: Connect: 12 Vital Ties That Open Your Heart, Lengthen Your Life, and Deepen Your Soul.)
Jourard, Sidney M., Ph.D. Personal Adjustment: An Approach Through the Study of Healthy Personality, 2nd Ed. New York: Macmillan, 1963, 477 pp.
McCain, John, with Mark Salter. Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life. New York: Random House, 2005, 209 pp.
Miller, William Ian. The Mystery of Courage. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2000, 346 pp.
Moody, Raymond Jr., M.D. Life After Loss: Conquering Grief and Finding Hope. New York: Harper San Francisco (HarperCollins), 2001, 228 pp.
Mortlock, Colin. The Adventure Alternative. Cumbria, England: Cicerone Press, 1987, 150 pp.
Piepenbrink, Linda. Complete Guide to Caring for Aging Loved Ones. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers (Focus on the Family), 2002, 558 pp.
Roberts, John. The Fighter Pilot’s Handbook. London: Arms and Armour Press (Cassell), 1992, 224 pp.
Schnall, Maxine. What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger: Turning Bad Breaks into Blessings. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press (Perseus), 2000, 243 pp.
Siegel, Bernie S., M.D. Prescriptions for Living: Inspirational Lessons for Joyful, Loving Life. New York: HarperCollins, 1998, 210 pp.
Weigartz, Pamela S., Ph.D. and Kevin L. Gyoerkoe, Psy.D. 10 Simple Solutions to Worry: How to Calm Your Mind & Start Enjoying Your Life. New Harbinger Publications, 2006, 150 pp.
Philosophy Books
Dalai Lama, His Holiness The, and Howard C. Cutler, M.D. The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living. New York: Riverhead Books (Penguin), 1998, 322 pp.
Nhât Hanh, Thích. Taming the Tiger Within: Meditations on Transforming Difficult Emotions. New York: Riverhead Books, 2004, 295 pp.
Scheck, Frank Reiner, and Manfred Görgens. Buddhism. Hauppauge, NY: Barrons, 1999, 192 pp.
Solomon, Robert C., & Kathleen M. Higgins. A Short History of Philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996, 329 pp.
Stockdale, Jim. Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot. Stanford: Hoover Press, 1995, 241 pp.
Brain Books
Ackerman, Diane. An Alchemy of Mind: The Marvel and Mystery of the Brain. New York: Scribner, 2004, 300 pp.
Amen, Daniel G., M.D. Making a Good Brain Great. New York: Harmony Books (Crown Publishing), 2005, 313 pp. (See also: Change your Brain, Change your Life, same author.)
Begley, Sharon. Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain. New York: Ballantine Books, 2007, 283 pp.
Goldberg, Elknonon, Ph.D., The Wisdom Paradox: How Your Mind Can Grow Stronger As Your Brain Grows Older. New York: Gotham Books (Penguin), 2005, 337 pp.
Gregory, Richard L. D.Sc. The Oxford Companion to the Mind. 2nd Ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004, 1004 pp.
Howard, Pierce J., Ph.D. The Owner’s Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind-Brain Research, 2nd Ed. Austin, TX: Bard Press, 1999, 829 pp.
Martin, Paul, M.D. The Healing Mind: The Vital Links Between Brain and Behavior, Immunity and Disease. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1997, 370 pp.
McKhann, Guy, M.D. and Marilyn Albert, Ph.D. Keep Your Brain Young: The Complete Guide to Physical and Emotional Health and Longevity. New York: Wiley, 2002, 296 pp.
Null, Gary, Ph.D. Gary Null’s Mind Power. New York: New American Library (Penguin), 2005, 326 pp.
Pinker, Stephen. How the Mind Works. New York: Norton, 1997, 660 pp.
Ratey, John J., M.D. A User’s Guide to the Brain: Perception, Attention, and the Four Theaters of the Brain. New York: Pantheon Books (Random House), 2001.
Restak, Richard, M.D. Mozart’s Brain and the Fighter Pilot: Unleashing Your Brain’s Potential. New York: Harmony House (Crown, Random House, 2001, 220 pp.
–––. The Naked Brain: How the Emerging Neurosociety Is Changing How We Life, Work, and Love. New York: Harmony Books (Random House), 2006, 255 pp.
Victoroff, Jeff, M.D., Saving Your Brain: The Revolutionary Plan to Boost Brain Power, Improve Memory and Protect Yourself Against Aging and Alzheimer’s. New York: Bantam (Random House), 2002, 450 pp.
Wolf, Maryanne, Ed.D., Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain. New York: Harper, 2007, 308 pp.
Death and Dying Books
Ahronheim, M.D., and Doron Weber. Final Passages: Positive Choices for the Dying and their Loved Ones. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992, 285 pp.
Byock, Ira, M.D. Dying Well. New York: Riverhead Books, 1997, 299 pp.
Halifax, Joan, Ph.D., Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 2008, 204 pp.
Kübler-Ross, Elisabeth, M.D. On Death and Dying. New York: Touchstone (Simon & Schuster), 1969, 286 pp. (Touchstone Paperback 1997.) (Defining book, still valuable. Author developed landmark theory of death around the psychological responses to the news of terminal illness.)
Lynn, Joanne, M.D. and Joan Harrold, M.D. Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999, 242 pp.
Nuland, Sherwin B., M.D. How We Die: Reflections on Life’s Final Chapter. New York: Knopf, 1993, 278 pp.
–––. The Art of Aging: A Doctor's Prescription for Well-Being. New York: Random House, 2007, 302 pp.
Quill, Timothy E., M.D. Death and Dignity: Making Choices and Taking Charge. New York: Norton, 1993, 255 pp.
Winters, Paul A., Ed. Death & Dying: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998, 191 pp.
Literature Books
Pinsky, Robert and Maggie Dietz, Ed. Poems to Read: A New Favorite Poem Project Anthology. New York: Norton, 2002, 352 pp.
Washburn, Katherine, and John S. Major, Ed. World Poetry: An Anthology of Verse from Antiquity to Our Time. New York: Norton, 1998, 1338 pp.
Success and Leadership Books
Canfield, Jack, with Janet Switzer. The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. New York: HarperResource (HarperCollins), 2005, 473 pp.
Kouzes, James M. and Barry Z. Posner. The Leadership Challenge, 3rd Ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass (Wiley), 2002, 458 pp. (Million best-seller, classic business book on leadership.)
Miedaner, Talane. Coach Yourself to Success: 101 Tips from a Personal Coach for Reaching Your Goals at Work and in Life. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2000, 280 pp.
