The Sisterhood: Women on Breast Cancer

By Bette-Lee Fox -- Library Journal, 9/1/2006

Though breast cancer remains the second most deadly cancer among women, those very same women have taken up the challenge to change their lives and the lives of others. They continue to walk, to raise funds, to advance legislation, or, in the case of insurance coverage for mammography, safeguard it. They have also written books about their disease in the hopes of affecting positively the lives of the thousands each year who will receive the same diagnosis. Meet these women; you won't soon forget them.

Most women go to Nordstrom for the shopping. These four Midwestern women—Balwanz, Kim Carlos, Jennifer Johnson, and Jana Peters—met weekly at the store's café to share information and perspectives on the disease that came into their lives at an all-too-tender age. Ranging from 24 to 30 at diagnosis, they merged their experiences and diverse personalities into this funny, poignant, and exceedingly valuable resource. Each believed that her breast cancer helped to strengthen her relationship with God and moved her into advocacy and areas of support for other women confronting the same challenge. Some statistics: breast cancer affects one out of every 229 women in their thirties and one out of 3000 pregnancies. A superb text for all health collections, especially those serving younger women.

The “Chicken Soup” chefs have cooked up another batch of personal stories, this time focusing on breast cancer. They blend in tales of “Love,” “Support,” “Challenges,” “Character,” “Healing,” “Courage,” “Survival,” and “Gratitude” to create a four-star dining experience for those trying to master this disease. More than food for thought. For all patient health collections.

Psychotherapist Murphy works with breast cancer patients, and here 18 of them reveal the “initiation” that altered their views of who they are and how this “great equalizer” led them to “a more genuine sense of self.” For most public libraries.

How much information is too much? Breast cancer survivor Scott lays out the details in a nonalarmist but efficient manner for women facing a diagnosis and the multitude of questions and procedures that follow. She breaks down major topics, such as side effects, into subtopics, e.g., “appetite,” “bathroom,” “chills,” “insomnia,” and more, with a specificity far beyond what most physicians offer. The presentation is by no means fancy, but the data from one who has been there will help to alleviate some of the fear of the unknown. For patient health collections.

Where some women diagnosed with breast cancer might rail against a higher power, ministry consultant and author Thompson wants to help women go beyond mere survivorship to “seek and find God's purpose” in their situation. This is a heavily faith-based volume, with daily Scripture and letters to and from God. Most chapters include a “Let's Pray” moment. With blank spaces to personalize the process, this is more of a gift item for women with a strong relationship with God than a library purchase.

The thought of losing their hair is often more devastating to women diagnosed with cancer than the disease's other consequences, including death. Cancer survivor, screenwriter, director, and inventor Hunsicker gathered these photographs of 59 diverse women who are getting in-your-face (and off-their-heads) with cancer, proud of their baldness and fighting every step of the way. For all public libraries.

How does a 27-year-old deal with breast cancer? Author and cancer survivor Walker offers the appropriate information and reactions through this faith-based novel of Natalie Moore, a thoughtful and talented young California woman whose friends and family help provide the means for her “reconstruction.” Natalie seems a bit too glib (Walker goes for humor here) considering her age and situation, but young women might find her plight inspirational. She goes church-hopping, but she never loses faith. For Christian fiction as well as comprehensive patient health collections.

A practicing California oncologist offers questions and answers in this informative guide. In a style similar to Deborah Axelrod's Bosom Buddies (LJ 10/15/99), Chan's title tries to predict those areas of most concern to women confronted with a breast cancer diagnosis and present direct, up-to-date, and accessible responses. Patient profiles and illustrations enhance the text, though some of the statistical charts are a bit complex. A valuable addition to collections from the physician's perspective.

Kaelin (Comprehensive Health Ctr., Brigham and Women's Hospital, MA; Living Through Breast Cancer, LJ 2/15/05) believes in sweat equity as part of a breast cancer regimen. Working with fitness trainers and survivors, Kaelin offers a series of increasingly intense workouts to improve muscle tone, balance, bone strength, and general well-being. Along with the workout, Kaelin emphasizes diet, rest, and stress reduction, all areas within the patient's control. And isn't regaining some semblance of control the most important aspect of dealing with breast cancer. Head notes, sidebars, and clear illustrations add to the value of this guide. A sound approach from a known expert in the field. For all patient health collections.

In researching the history behind the ubiquitous symbol of breast cancer awareness, King (Queen's Univ., Kingston, Ont.) notes the corporate imprimatur on the design and on the campaigns in honor of this and other causes. She argues that public/volunteer support for disease research through participatory events such as the Komen Race for the Cure has removed that responsibility (read: obligation) from the government, where it truly belongs. Breast cancer advocacy groups will find her conclusions fascinating. For professional collections in academic libraries.

Graphic memoirs are the way to go for several breast cancer survivors. The information is there, but it's more digestible for some readers or those who just prefer the graphic novel form. Two recent titles are Miriam Engelberg's Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person: A Memoir in Comics (LJ 5/15/06) and Marisa Acocella Marchetto's Cancer Vixen: A True Story (Graphic Novels, LJ 7/06).