Along with the physical challenges of lung cancer, there’s an emotional toll for patients navigating a diagnosis (as well as for their caregivers). In this blog, we’ve compiled a selection of books and podcasts that will resonate with anyone affected by a diagnosis. Whether you’re seeking educational insights, personal stories, or emotional comfort, these recommendations offer valuable perspectives.
Check out these titles at your local library, or bookstore, or on the Libby app for a chance to read them for free. If you prefer listening to podcasts, we’ve linked them directly below.
Books
- Living With Terminal Lung Cancer: A Story of Hope by William Schuette
Diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma non-small cell lung cancer, this book captures William’s experience as a lung cancer patient and clinical trial participant. Initially given the prognosis of “six to two years to live,” William’s treatment pivoted to include ALK drugs. He’s now able to follow his dreams of traveling the world and has documented every step in this inspiring memoir.
- The Cancer Survivor’s Companion: Practical Ways to Cope with Your Feelings After Cancer by Frances Goodhart and Lucy Atkins
Written by Dr. Frances Goodhart and Lucy Atkins, this book is a supportive guide for cancer survivors who are dealing with the emotional and psychological challenges that often follow after treatment. Although Dr. Goodhart primarily worked with patients in the United Kingdom, her strategies for managing common emotional struggles apply to all cancer survivors and thrivers.
- Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
Through the personal stories of his patients and family, surgeon Atul Gawande examines the limitations of modern medicine and how it impacts quality of life. Gawande combines his medical insights to advocate for more honest patient-doctor conversations, emphasizing the importance of patient autonomy.
Podcasts
- Lung Cancer Update | The Implications of Recent Datasets for the Current and Future Use of Nontargeted Therapy for Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung
In this episode, Dr. Edward Garon from UCLA Health and Dr. Luis Paz-Ares from the Spanish National Oncology Research Center in Madrid offer their insights on emerging data from the 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer. They specifically focus on the management of non-small cell lung cancer without actionable genomic alterations.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
- The CancerCare Podcast | Life After Cancer: Young Adult Survivorship
Lung cancer in young nonsmokers has been rising and this important conversation focuses on the challenges young adult cancer survivors face. Tune into this episode for a panel discussion from the AYA (Adolescent and Young Adult) workshop series, exploring the transition from active treatment to post-treatment, ongoing side effects, fear of recurrence, and more.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
- LungCast | Lung Imaging 2.0: How AI is Shaping the Future with Dr. Rachel Eddy
Dr. Rachel Eddy discusses the advancements in medical imaging technology and the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI). She explores how AI applications are expanding beyond traditional radiology to include innovative techniques like 3D printing and molecular imaging, which are redefining diagnostics and treatment planning.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Have you found the words of a particular author or storyteller helpful? Let us know if there’s a book you’d like to see highlighted during the upcoming months of our Book Club.
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