Reading tips for breast cancer patients

Embraces‍

by Marleen Finoulst, Houtekiet

Breast cancer is more than an illness followed by treatment. The diagnosis throws your whole life and those around you upside down. 'Embraces' focuses on the changed physical intimacy between patients and their partners, family and friends after a breast cancer diagnosis. It is about how the relationship with your body changes and about the impact on your love life. About wanting children and the fear of passing on the genetic condition. 'Embraces' ventures into very sensitive territory. The testimonies will regularly give you a lump in the throat, while the scientific framing offers concrete advice and perspective to anyone dealing with breast cancer from far or near. An intensely human and necessary book.

Proceeds from the book will go to Pink Ribbon.

Read more about the book "Embraces" here .

Chemo day is the best day of the week‍.

by Liesbeth Van Impe, Borgerhoff & Lamberigts

Hospital waiting rooms are borderline areas. Quickly in and out and then mostly live on. Or at least you hope so, that you're not allowed to be sick after all, that you're just waiting for the doctor who says you have no business being there. Nor did Liesbeth Van Impe really expect that the world as she knew it was about to disappear. Liesbeth survived, and that is enough. With this book she shows fellow sufferers and anyone who still does not dare to look a cancer patient in the eye what cancer land looks like and how you can travel through it.

It's cancer. What now?‍

by Tine Maenhout and Silvia Brouwers, Pelckmans

Two young women wrote a book together about the rollercoaster they have been on since being diagnosed with cancer. One is a philosopher and was diagnosed with lymphoma; the other is an art historian and writer and faced breast cancer. 'It's Cancer. What now?" is the title of an exceptional literary nonfiction book.

Read Pink Ribbons book review here .

In their own bosom

by Dr. Sofie De Vuysere, Horizon

Sofie De Vuysere is a physician specializing in medical imaging. She was diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years ago, at the age of 33. In her book "In Her Own Mind," she describes how she experienced and survived the rollercoaster, how medicine changed in those years and what yoga can do.

Read Pink Ribbons book review here .

On the touch: Sex after cancer

‍byMarieke Colpaert and Marlies Meersman.

After cancer treatment, you want nothing more than to resume your old life: your job, your hobbies, your family situation ... and that means your sexuality experience as well, whether you are in a partner relationship or not. But that turns out not to be so obvious, because both physically and mentally much has changed. Many women struggle with their self-image and sexuality. And let sex be something that is not easily discussed during counseling.

In In touch: sex after cancer Marieke Colpaert and Marlies Meersman break through the taboo surrounding sexuality and cancer among women. With various experts and using the personal stories of fellow sufferers and their partners, they explain what consequences cancer treatment can have on body and mind. In addition, you get a range of possible solutions and tips to deal with sex in a positive way, both mentally and physically.

Breast Cancer Bible: Facts, portraits & stories

‍byBarbara Debusschere, photography Lieve Blancquaert, Kannibaal publishing house

Breast Cancer Bible is the new - 384-page - book by Barbara Debusschere, science journalist at De Morgen. She wants to offer readers the ultimate comprehensive overview on the topic of breast cancer. The beautiful photographs by Lieve Blancquaert give the texts even more depth. This "bible" grew out of many conversations with doctors, professors, psychologists and (former) patients and guides the latter group, their partners, family members and friends without taboos through the entire process from before diagnosis to after treatment. Everyone is covered: from young to old, from atheist to Muslim, from woman to man, from hopeful to incurably ill.

This happened, that happened‍.

by Kristien Hemmerechts, publisher De Geus

Our ambassador received the news in the fall of 2015 that she had breast cancer. Being a patient, she hated, so she just kept teaching, riding her bike, as well as writing. About breast cancer, or bk as she calls it herself, she kept notes throughout that period that she now poured into a book along with other autobiographical stories.

Big Tree Is Sick

byNathalie Slosse, publisher Abimo

This book helps little ones understand cancer better. The story is about little Snout who absolutely loves big tree. When the doctor discovers worms in the tree, his world is turned upside down. The book has activity ideas so children can better process their emotions. Additionally, there is also a separate alternate ending, "Farewell to Big Tree.

Just K

‍Hospitalwaiting rooms are border areas. Quickly in and out and then mostly live on. Or at least you hope so, that you're not allowed to be sick after all, that you're just waiting for the doctor who says you have no business being there. Nor did Liesbeth Van Impe really expect that the world as she knew it was about to disappear. Liesbeth survived, and that is enough. With this book she shows fellow sufferers and anyone who still does not dare to look a cancer patient in the eye what cancer land looks like and how you can travel through it.Chantal Deen, publisher Personalia

The Day I Died

‍byTania Bongers, publisher Mistral

Tania discovers during her pregnancy that she has cervical cancer. Her only chance for survival, doctors say, is to abort the baby and remove the uterus with tumor. But that is not what Tania wants. The Day I Died is the honest story of a mother fighting for her child. A story broader than just cancer, it is also about love, powerlessness and ethical choices.

Does a Woman Come to the Doctor

‍byKluun, publisher Podium

A family seems to have everything they need to be happy, until they discover that the wife has a life-threatening form of breast cancer. The husband reacts to the situation by going from one woman to another, even though he sees his own wife the most.

One Hundred Percent Woman

by Geralyn Lucas, publisher Arena

Geralyn Lucas is twenty-seven, newly graduated as a journalist and has just found her dream job, when she is told she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Suddenly, her life is a string of doctor's appointments and emotional outbursts.

Not a Hair on My Head!

by Liset Noorduyn and B. Versteeg, publisher De Nieuwe Haagsche

This book perfectly captures how breast cancer treatment goes. Bart Versteeg photographed his sick wife during her treatment. The result is an honest and complete photo reportage.

Now That I Shall Die, My Last Words, For My Children And The World

‍byRandy Pausch and Jeff Zaslow, Bookstore publisher

This story is not about breast cancer, but about a man who has pancreatic cancer and is told he has only a few months to live. The book is his farewell to his children and to the world.

A Woeful Mistake In Our Stars

‍byJohn Green, publisher Lemniscaat

The well-known teen novel brings the story of Hazel and Gus. He has survived cancer; she is extending her life indefinitely thanks to a new drug. When they meet, there is an instant click. However, Hazel wants to run away from her feelings and from Gus, because how much time does she have left?

She and I, the story of a friendship

‍byAnnemie Struyf with photos by Lieve Blancquaert, Lannoo publishing house

Annemie Struyf and her best friend Magdalena made a trip years ago that was material for a book. However, they were always too busy so the plans stalled. Only when Magdalena is fatally ill do they resurrect their diaries and pen down their story. Lieve Blancquaert came to support them with her photography. The book became a symbol of their friendship.

Fire and Flame

‍byGeert De Kockere and An Dom, publisher Manteau

A dragon family spits a lot of fire. They like to spit to ter verst, but one day dragon mother suddenly runs out of fire. This picture book tells the story of cancer and what it does to you. Based on the true story of An Dom.

Behind The Laughter

‍byFran Drescher, Archipel publishing house

Fran Drescher or also known as Mr. Sheffield's The Nanny from the similar TV series was finally diagnosed with uterine cancer only after two years of visiting various specialists. With great humor and self-mockery, she writes about this period of treatment and recovery.

Surviving In Antarctica

‍byJerri Nielsen, publisher Het Spectrum

Jerri Nielsen is a doctor who was in Antarctica with a group of researchers when she discovers breast cancer in herself. Harsh weather conditions make it difficult for her to be picked up by a plane, forcing her to fend for herself. A true medical success story.

Do You Do It For That, Ma'am?‍

by Pam Comijs, publisher Altamira

Pam Comijs writes about her own breast cancer and why she chose not the usual path of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, but her own bold path.

Cool Tit

‍byLisa Lynch, publisher Atlas-Contact

Lisa is only in her 20s when she is diagnosed with breast cancer. During her treatment, she keeps a blog to keep her friends and family informed. She has now compiled the often humorous blog posts into her book.

Hello all, my mother who is bald

‍byBerdien Stenberg, publisher The House Of Books

As Berdien herself battles breast cancer, she gets flashbacks of her friend Elisa who died of the same cancer a few years ago. As she heals, she tries to unravel the bizarre circumstances of her friend's death.

The Entitled Bandit

‍byJosje De Klerk, publisher Bandit Media BV

The Eentietige Bandiet is an autobiographical story that takes us back to Josje's family in the year she was being treated for breast cancer.

Magic drops

‍byNathalie Slosse & Rocio Del Moral, publishing house Abimo

Magic Drops invites small children to talk about grief and comfort. In this way, they learn to deal with loss and grief preventively and reflect on what they find comforting. Important skills for growing up into happy adults. It is the sequel to Big Tree is Sick, but can be read separately.

Caught In Silence

‍byGrace Gawler, Ankhhermes Publishing Company

It will be difficult for many women to accept the connection between their emotions and the development of breast cancer. This book focuses on precisely these emotional aspects and their relationship to illness and healing. Within conventional medicine, little attention is usually paid to this. This book has something important to say to women around the world about how they can live, get in touch with their inner strength and thereby enrich and improve their own lives and those around them.

Yoga With Wig by Marian

van Schoneveld, BBNC publishers

Life is pretty self-evident when everything goes the way it should in your vision. Fortunately, you don't think too often about the fact that things can go wrong. That something can happen that makes your life not so self-evident. For example when you are diagnosed with cancer. In Yoga with a Wig Marian van Schoneveld offers a tool for regaining confidence and balance. It helps you regain the feeling of being in control of life and daring to look to the future. It also supports in dealing with the pain and limitations brought on by the disease. Let yoga be a tool in the search for your new life. Life after cancer or life with cancer.

My Partner, My Child, My Cancer‍

by Freya Van den Bossche, publisher Lannoo

In the summer of 2006, Freya Van den Bossche is told she has breast cancer. It is the beginning of an inner journey, on which her husband and her child become obligatory traveling companions. All the while, she continues to articulate in her blog what is going on in her life. With disarming honesty and a strong sense of humor. The blog was the impetus for this book. It describes the journey of a family that must confront fears, emotions and grief, together and alone....

Mildness in cancer‍

by Nathalie Cardinaels, publisher acco

When faced with cancer, you often want to be strong and show your courage to others. "I'll manage!" you say, and you'd rather not ask for help. Instead of giving yourself space, you may be even tougher on yourself than before. Instead of blaming yourself, show more understanding for yourself and become your own best friend. But how do you get started? This book will help you on your way to treating yourself with more kindness and gentleness. It is suitable for people who have been diagnosed with cancer, for those around them and for caregivers who support people with cancer during and after their illness.

Hiding in vulnerability‍

by Marleen Deruyver

Marleen Deruyver wrote a book about her life after colon and breast cancer. With her one story, she wants to give inspiration and strength to fellow sufferers. She tells how she dealt with these diagnoses, what helped her to keep fighting and to keep choosing for life. Marleen hopes that women who read her book may find the strength to love themselves again.

Photobook (K)Anchor

23 women, 8 men and 9 little children. All of them have or had cancer, and showed their battle bodies to Roeselare photographer Amélie Soenen. She carefully recorded their scars - visible, invisible or covered - in the gripping photo book.

The breast cancer handbook for you and your loved ones, during and after

‍byAnna van Wittenberghe, illustrations Sorlyn van Wittenberghe, Noblesse Publishers

Experience expert and journalist Anna van Wittenberghe has written a comprehensive handbook that deals with almost all aspects that breast cancer patients and their environment have to deal with. It provides an accessible insight into the complex DNA matter and the many variants and stages of breast cancer. In addition, a complete overview is given of various treatment options and possibilities that may come your way. In the book, fourteen women and one man tell their stories in very personal interviews: about discovering, experiencing and dealing with breast cancer. They describe their various medical pathways, how they experienced it emotionally and practically, and what their situation is now.

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