Top 5 Must-Read Books About Cancer

Why is it worth reading about cancer? The best answer to this question is a quote taken from the Martial Arts of a Chinese general and war strategist, Sun Tzu. It says that in order to defeat an enemy, one must first get to know him well. That's why we've compiled a list of the 5 must-read books about cancer, that are a good way to learn more about the disease.

Cancer books selected by us

1. Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Muerjee Siddhartha

The author guides the reader through the entire history of cancer – from the first cases dating back thousands of years to the present day. Thus, it proves that this disease accompanies humanity from almost the dawn of time. In his book, Siddhartha Mukherjee presents the different contexts that have been involved in learning about cancer throughout history. The book combines several perspectives – molecular biology, history and biographical. Most importantly, it was written in plain language that is understandable to people who are not involved in the medical and biological environment. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction. It has also been recognized by the world's most influential newspapers – The Guardian, The New York Times and TIME.

2. Anticancer by David Servan-Schreiber

This book is a compendium of knowledge about the causes, development and prevention of cancer. The accessible form of knowledge makes even complex medical issues understandable to every layman. The author provides a lot of valuable advice on what to do, what to eat and what to avoid minimizing the risk of getting cancer. The great advantage of the book is the fact that its author was a doctor and also struggled with cancer, which verified his approach to this disease.

3. A Cancer in the Family: Take Control of Your Genetic Inheritance by Theodora Ross

This book shows cancer from a slightly different angle. It focuses on the genetic basis of cancer. Most of the people know that in many cases this disease is hereditary. But what are the exact factors causing it? How big is the risk of developing cancer? Is it just bad luck, or is it possible to determine the carriers of genetic mutation in the family? Medical knowledge combined with personal point of view of the author resulted in very interesting content that empower readers to seek knowledge on their own genetic heritage

4. The Breakthrough. Immunotherapy and the Race to Cure Cancer by Charles Graeber

This book introduces you to the connection between the immune system and cancer. It includes the stories of patients who were helped by immunotherapy. The author, despite dealing with complex scientific issues, presents this innovative method in an accessible way. Interestingly, the book was published just before the 2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo for research into immunotherapy in cancer treatment.

5. Breasts. The Owner's Manual by Kristi Funk

Dr. Kristi Funk included in the book a lot of knowledge about breast cancer. It was presented from a medical point of view, but at the same time focused on patient’s needs and emotions. Both women who want to learn more about breast cancer prevention and those who already struggle with the disease will find this book helpful. The book also contains a large amount of information addressed to people after treatment.

Reading these books can also be helpful for healthy people. A huge dose of knowledge about cancer prevention enables the implementation of changes in the lifestyle that will help minimize the risk of cancer. By gaining knowledge about cancer, we gain an effective tool that allows us to make informed and well-considered decisions regarding both prevention and treatment. Information contained in publications gives an opportunity to better understand what cancer is and how it affects people who fight it. With this knowledge, it is also possible to give them better support during and after treatment.