While I have read many books as I have been on this cancer journey, the following books and sites are my favorite go-to resources that I refer to over and over.
I truly recommend them to you, and I believe you will find a plethora of information, and helpful tips to make your journey easier as well as give you tons of confidence and encouragement that you are doing great things to aid in your healing and recovery.
Books
Chris Beat Cancer by Chris Wark
Chris was a young man, newly married when he was told he had Stage 111 colon cancer and wheeled into surgery where they removed a large tumor and a third of his colon. Despite his doctor’s advice and his family’s fears, he refused chemo and took control of his healing with nutrition, exercise, and natural therapies. Now seventeen years later he is cancer-free.
This invaluable book not only tells Chris’ story, but it also gives detailed information regarding the vital importance of doing whatever it takes to heal – body, mind, and spirit.
A must-read if you are serious about doing everything you can to survive and thrive! Very well-written and easy to understand.
Chris also interviews countless doctors and survivors on his site, chrisbeatcancer.com.
The China Study by T. Colin Campbell and his son, Thomas M Campbell
One of America’s bestselling books on nutrition, The China Study chronicles one of the largest comprehensive studies of human nutrition ever conducted. It was launched via a partnership between Cornell University, Oxford University, and the Chinese Academy of Preventative Medicine, with data collected over a span of 20 years. Not a diet book, The China Study details the strong connection between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. A very powerful read.
How Not To Die by Dr. Michael Greger
You cannot miss this book! Dr. Greger has dedicated his entire life to plowing through mountains of medical science on nutrition. He has a staff of researchers and volunteers who dig through all the latest research to offer practical advice about how to put this life-changing, life-saving science into practice in our daily lives.
The book is very thick. There are 15 chapters on specific diseases (including breast cancer) that offer life-saving information, and then part two is a comprehensive section on food choices to make day in and day out. Dri Greger answers the question, “What do you eat every day, Dr. Greger?”
I go back to this book again and again!
The How Not To Die Cookbook by DR Michael Greger
This is another treasure you won’t want to miss. First of all, the book is beautifully illustrated and laid out. Dr. Greger is so insightful and informative. Be sure to read his wonderful introduction. Then the first section called Simple Preparations is where he offers what he calls his ten flavor-makers. These are very tasty and so good to have on hand as healthy ways to enhance your new way of eating. I especially recommend the Savory Spice Blend, the Nutty Parm, and Umami Sauce.
From there the book offers everything from Breakfasts to Mains with Salads and Soups and Sweets and Sips and lots of great menu ideas in between. A lovely book to own!
Mind Over Medicine by Dr. Lissa Rankin
Many of us, growing up in America, have come to believe that when we are sick it is simply genetics or a fluke and our doctors have all the answers and the power to give us optimal health. Dr. Rankin believed that too until she began to suffer from her own health issues. When Western medicine failed to help and her conditions worsened, she knew she had to find out what was missing.
Her book is the unfolding of her discoveries, and it is full of life-altering truths from her extensive research. This book is truly an eye-opener, and although she states how important diet and exercise are to allowing the body to heal itself, she lays out the scientific data that proves how equally important the mind is – and how our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs can alter the body’s physiology.
Forks Over Knives Books and quarterly magazines (find at your supermarket)
(more to come)