Summer is a popular time to catch up on reading. When you’re waiting at a doctor’s office, driving to treatment, or simply resting at home, a good book (or audiobook) can be a welcome companion.
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, these cancer-related books and guides can help you better understand your treatment options and access mental and emotional support.
The Mesothelioma Hope team can also answer questions related to your mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment. Call (866) 608-8933 to speak with our skilled nurses and Patient Advocates right now.
Stories of Hope and Survival
You can find inspiration and common ground in the stories of those who’ve survived mesothelioma and other types of cancer. Here are a few of our picks.
Mesothelioma Survivors Guide
In our Free Survivors Guide, you’ll hear from mesothelioma patients who beat the odds and far outlived their original prognosis.
Some of the patients featured have lived for 15 years or more, thanks to specialized treatment and the support of their loved ones.
“I want to help people go through this and remain positive. I did it. You can do it.”
–Mary Jane Williams, 15-year mesothelioma survivor
Get your copy now to find out how others stayed hopeful after a mesothelioma diagnosis and lived much longer than expected.
Finding the “Can” in Cancer
This guidebook for cancer patients, their families, and friends was written by four long-term cancer survivors. Finding the “Can” in Cancer combines personal stories and experiences with practical tips for navigating life with cancer.
It offers advice on:
- Common procedures and tests for cancer patients
- Coping with symptoms and side effects
- How to let others help after a cancer diagnosis
It also includes words of encouragement for patients and their loved ones to draw on when they need hope after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
If you have a library card, you can download many books and audiobooks for free using the Libby app.
Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds
While earning her Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley, psychotherapist Kelly A. Turner researched over 1,000 cases of medically verified radical remission where cases of serious or terminal cancer disappeared.
“A lot of mesothelioma patients get to that blessed point of NED, which is no evidence of disease.”
–Julie Gundlach, 18+ year mesothelioma survivor
In Radical Remission, Dr. Turner presents nine common themes that she believes may help patients become survivors, even if their cancer is considered terminal.
What Helped Me Get Through: Cancer Survivors Share Wisdom and Hope
Edited by breast cancer survivor Julie K. Silver, What Helped Me Get Through is for anyone touched by cancer.
This collection includes stories from nearly 300 cancer survivors, including celebrities like Carly Simon and Scott Hamilton, who candidly share what helped get them through.
The book also provides tips for patients, family, and friends on coping with a cancer diagnosis.
Patients can also add our Free Mesothelioma Guide to their reading list to learn more about their treatment options and how to access financial compensation to cover expenses.
Spiritual Strength and Support
Many mesothelioma patients find that spirituality or religion can help them cope with the disease. If you find strength in your spiritual or religious beliefs, here are some books that might resonate with you.
Peace in the Face of Cancer
Written by patient advocate and cancer survivor Lynn Eib, Peace in the Face of Cancer shows how faith can help patients navigate all aspects of their cancer journey.
“I’ve been living as a survivor since 1990 when I was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 36. My girls were 8, 10, and 12 at the time, and now I’m a grandmother to six.”
–Lynn Eib, author of Peace in the Face of Cancer
Eib weaves the story of her own journey as a longtime cancer survivor with those of others to show how faith could help you feel calmer and more in control.
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
The Power of Now isn’t specific to cancer, but many mesothelioma patients and their families have found it to be a helpful tool in managing emotions that come with a diagnosis.
Spiritual teacher and self-help author Eckhart Tolle shares his philosophy on living a healthier, happier life.
Tolle’s book offers a practical guide to becoming more conscious of the thoughts and challenges that can prevent us from living in the present moment.
When Breath Becomes Air
Stanford neurosurgeon Dr. Paul Kalanithi died from stage 4 metastatic lung cancer just shy of a year before his memoir was published.
In When Breath Becomes Air, the 36-year-old tells the story of how his life changed when he went from being a doctor who helped people to a patient himself.
“As a doctor, you have a sense of what it’s like to be sick, but until you’ve gone through it yourself, you don’t really know.”
— Dr. Paul Kalanithi, author of When Breath Becomes Air
A staunch atheist for most of his adult life, Dr. Kalanithi rediscovers his Christian faith during his cancer journey and also becomes a father.
Diet and Nutrition
Maintaining a cancer-fighting diet and nutrition plan can play a big role in your overall health after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
The books below are commonly recommended for cancer patients looking to improve their nutrition and ease symptoms or side effects of treatments.
Be sure to consult your medical team before taking any supplements or making substantial changes to your mesothelioma nutrition plan.
Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself
In Eat to Beat Disease, Dr. William Li shows the evidence behind over 200 health-boosting foods that can starve cancer and fight dozens of avoidable diseases.
The book offers a guide to different healing foods that can be added to meals to support immune health. Dr. Li also explains how to integrate your favorite foods into any diet or health plan to activate your body’s natural defenses.
What to Eat During Cancer Treatment
Published by the American Cancer Society (ACS), What to Eat During Cancer Treatment offers evidence-based guidance on what foods to eat when dealing with common side effects of treatments for mesothelioma and other cancers.
“Many people going through cancer ask if diet and nutrition can help them fight and recover. The answer is yes! No matter what side effects you experience, nutrition will be an essential part of dealing with your cancer and cancer treatment.”
–From the introduction of What to Eat During Cancer Treatment
The book contains more than 130 recipes, shares ways to handle vitamin deficiencies, and offers helpful tips for caregivers. It also contains tips on assembling a take-along food “survival kit” and a list of organizations that provide information on nutrition and cancer.
The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen: Nourishing, Big-Flavor Recipes for Cancer Treatment and Recovery
The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen features 150 science-based recipes, including vegetarian options, tailored for specific treatment plans, cancer types, and side effects.
The book helps cancer patients and loved ones:
- Build meal plans to fight cancer and manage symptoms
- Fight side effects of cancer treatments like nausea and weight loss
- Stimulate their appetite
A full nutritional analysis is provided for each recipe.
Connect With Mesothelioma Hope to Find Top Resources
The books and guides featured above can help you find better ways to manage the physical and emotional aspects of a cancer diagnosis.
The Mesothelioma Hope team can provide patients and loved ones with a variety of reading materials free of charge, including our Free Survivors Guide.
Call (866) 608-8933 now or fill out our contact form for help finding resources to navigate your mesothelioma journey. Our nurses and Patient Advocates are standing by to support you.
