Stories About Surviving Cancer

The real asset of this book is its positive approach. Ten young people, all of whom have had cancer in some form, tell their stories. They have all survived and are in remission in spite of some setbacks, and their courage and resourcefulness are highly commendable. An introduction explains cancer and the main types that teenagers tend to suffer from. It also emphasizes the importance of sharing one’s experiences with other sufferers – which is exactly what this book does so well. The cancers covered are leukaemia, osteosarcoma, lymphoma and brain cancer. Facts about treatments are explained in easily understood terms. One story tells of a leukaemia patient who must have a bone marrow transplant, and another tells of Amy who loses her dad to lung cancer, the only death in the book. All of the stories are heroic and moving without being at all sentimental. An excellent choice for young patients facing the unknown.