Abstract

When Anni Matthews was diagnosed with cancer, she decided to do something really valuable with the experience: she produced a book that is a friendly companion for those who must face the disease.

Of huge practical help to anyone diagnosed with cancer and those who care for them, this book is a one-stop guide to making sense and use of the orthodox treatments, complementary therapies, and psychological, spiritual and holistic options available. Subjects ranging from the most current major advances in treatments and diagnosis to the small but effective ways of relieving the side-effects are explained clearly and concisely, often with humour and always with warmth.

Written by a bright, articulate woman, who was determined to have an informed say in what happened to her, Anni's Cancer Companion marks a new generation of books about cancer. It is that rare thing: a reference book that is human.

It is a one - stop guide to making sense and use of orthodox treatments, complementary therapies, and psychological, spiritual and holistic options available.
Institute of Complementary and Natural Medicine
This encyclopedic cancer resource includes more than 150 entries, from A is for Acupuncture and C is for Chemotherapy to M is for Meditation and R is for Radiotherapy and more. A worthwhile volume for patient-health collections.
Library Journal
A worthwhile volume for patients and professionals; recommended for those navigating a cancer diagnosis and for general patient-health collections.
Library Journal

Anni Matthews was a city executive in charge of running a busy property development company in London. Following her diagnosis and research, she became a dedicated spokesperson for cancer sufferers, lecturing to Glaxo Smith Kline staff and Womens Institutes, as well as being an active trustee of the Bristol Cancer Care Centre. She fielded countless phonecalls from anxious cancer patients and friends, providing answers to a spectrum of questions and worries, her philosophy always being 'think positive challenge, not negative acceptance'.

Karol Sikora is Medical Director of CancerPartnersUK which is creating the largest independent cancer network in the UK. He was Professor and Chair of the Department of Cancer Medicine at Imperial College and is still honorary Consultant Oncologist at Hammersmith Hospital, London. He chairs the scientific advisory board of SourceBioscience PLC, Britain's leading cancer diagnostic company. He is Dean of Britain's first independent Medical School at the University of Buckingham and is a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

Anni's Cancer Companion: An A-Z On Treatments, Therapies, And Healing... by Anni Matthews, who on being diagnosed with cancer became a dedicated spokesperson for cancer sufferers, is billed as offering help and advice "to cancer sufferers and all who care for them". It is also an excellent and highly informative non-technical guide for ministers.
Ministry Today UK
This book is an indispensable guide for anyone who has, or is working with, cancer. It gives clear, balanced, and non-judgemental information on many of the key issues around cancer, helping people sift the minefield of often conflicting advice on offer, and empowering them to build their own strategies for getting through. Anni has done a tremendous service to us all in writing this book, which will be much valued and used for many years to come.
Henry McGrath, Bristol Clinic of Chinese Medicine, author of Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches to Cancer and Acupuncture Course Director for the College of Naturopathic Medicine
This book is filled with tips and advice on how to have the courage to start on the fascinating journey and of finding what is, ultimately, a voyage of discovery.
Seed Institute Newsletter

This is one of the most appealing reference books I have read. It is written in an accessible way and it is easy to use and to understand. It will be useful for all aspects of living with cancer, from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond...

This is an excellent book packed with useful information for anyone affected by Cancer...

I would strongly recommend this excellent book to anybody affected by cancer because it is so positive...

This is a really useful, well presented and researched book, written by an inspired person. It gives you everything you need as well as the encouragement and inspiration to get on with it, and live life to the full, even through the dark times. Inspirational...

Everything you would want to learn about cancer is in this book.

Macmillan Cancer Support

Endorsed by Penny Brohn Cancer Care (formerly Bristol Cancer Help Centre)

'As a wellness coach and complementary therapist, I have worked extensively with breast cancer patients on integrated healthcare programmes, using many of the approaches in Anni's book. From a personal perspective, having gone through the same cancer journey, I would like to honour Anni's bravery and the legacy she has left behind. An integrated approach to cancer care such as this book offers opens up healing opportunities for patients no matter where the journey may lead.'

Laurel Alexander, wellness coach and complementary therapist, Sussex, UK.
Anni's Cancer Companion details how the late Anni Matthews, a most inspiring woman, dealt with her cancer diagnosis and treatment, providing much needed encouragement to those struggling with available treatment options, both conventional and unorthodox. Anni's memoir is accompanied by a guide to medical terminology, including a wealth of alternative healing suggestions and references for further information... The book is both informational and inspirational. In the segment on Fear, Anni wrote, "The diagnosis of cancer allowed me to embrace change. And this is the key." The courageous voice behind the facts is what makes Anni's Cancer Companion a must-have for patients and care-givers alike.
Foreword Reviews

The whole approach of this book is to explore possibilities, at a time when it is easy to give up hope. As such it is a remarkable achievement, and something that every cancer victim should have.

Each individual will find some of the items not to their taste, but Anni has not discriminated in any way, nor does she aim to push a particular type of philosophy. Professor Karol Sikora says 'this is a book I'd want if I were diagnosed with cancer' - and I could not agree more.

Health Matters