Bowel cancer reading list

You can find a list of books about cancer, treatments, and living with cancer on our general reading list.

Bowel Cancer: The essential guide
Ian Eustace
Need-2-Know, No. 91 in series, 2011

An easy to read guide to bowel cancer. It includes information about lowering your risk, causes, tests, treatment and living with bowel cancer.
ISBN 1861441347

100 questions and answers about colorectal cancer
David Bub, Susannah Rose and Douglas Wong
Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2007

A comprehensive book about all aspects of colorectal cancer. It is an American book so some aspects will not apply to the UK.
ISBN 9780763754419

Your guide to bowel cancer
John Northover
Hodder Arnold, 2007

An easy to read guide to bowel cancer, written by an expert bowel surgeon. The book explains the structure of the bowel, how bowel cancer develops and its symptoms. Patients and carers are led through different treatments, after-care and life after treatment.
ISBN 0340927461

Complete Guide to Colorectal Cancer
Bernard Levin
American Cancer Society, 2006

Comprehensive, clear, and up-to-date information about colorectal cancer. Throughout the text, cancer survivors give details of their experiences. An American book so some information is not relevant to people in the UK.
ISBN 0944235557

Coping with bowel cancer
T. Smith
Sheldon Press, 2005

A very detailed factual book covering all aspects of bowel cancer. Also has case stories and a section about other bowel conditions. As the book is 6 years old some of the newer bowel cancer treatments are not covered. 
ISBN 0859699293

Saving my arse (2nd edition)
M Davies
Mark Davies, 2011

A personal story using male humour from Mark Davies who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 31. Some people may find it a little crude but others find it amusing. Discusses his diagnosis, treatment and the challenges of living with bowel cancer. 
ISBN 9780955903625

Cancer Research UK

Preventing bowel cancer - spot your symptoms early 
You can download a copy of the leaflet from the publications section of the Cancer Research UK website. Or you can ring our leaflet enquiry line on 020 3469 8333.

Booklets from the Colostomy Association

• About Rectal Discharge
• About Stoma Reversal
• An Introduction to Irrigation
• Caring for Colostomates
• Healthy Eating
• Living with a Colostomy: information for colostomates and their carers
• Travel Advice
• Sam has an Stoma
• Colonoscopy through the stoma
• One to one
• Pain and Discomfort

Booklets, leaflets, CDs and audiotapes from Macmillan Cancer Support

• Understanding colon cancer
• Understanding bowel cancer screening 
• Understanding chemotherapy
• Understanding radiotherapy
• Controlling cancer pain
• Controlling the symptoms of cancer
• Coping with advanced cancer
• Coping with hair loss
• Diet and cancer
• Lost for words – how to talk to someone with cancer
• Sexuality and cancer
• Talking about your cancer
• Talking to children when an adult has cancer
• Understanding cancer research trials

Booklets from Dansac ostomy suppliers

• Colostomy – hints and tips
• Ileostomy – hints and tips
• Body image after stoma surgery
• Dietary and nutritional advice for ostomists
• What about sex – for people with a stoma and their partners

Also has a range of booklets about changing stoma appliances, and travel advice for people with a stoma

From Coloplast ostomy suppliers

• Colostomy/Ileostomy - Essential advice for before and after your operation
• Colostomy/Ileostomy - Things you need to know after your operation

You can get the Coloplast booklets by phoning 0800 220 622, lines are open from Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm and Saturday 9am–2pm.

Please contact us on our feedback form if you would like to recommend a book that you have found helpful. It helps us if you include title, author, publisher's name and year, and ISBN number.