History of the Breast. Written by Marilyn Yalom
Published by Harper Collins 1997. ISBN: 0-04-440913-3. £15.99.
25,000 years of ideas about the female breast in words and images. Looking at the "good breast" in ancient idols or images of French Republican Liberty and at the "bad breast" of Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth or Ezekiel's wanton harlots. Includes a chapter on "the medical breast" - a history of treatment of breast disease.
Cathy Nugent

Breast Health Handbook.
Produced by Breakthrough a registered UK charity dedicated to breast cancer research. Published by Pandora 1996. ISBN: 0-04-440979-6. £4.99.
Personal accounts of women's experiences are woven into the overall text, and there is a useful directory of breast cancer organisations. As a random collection of information pieces it may satisfy those seeking general knowledge about breast cancer in the 1990s.
Clearly produced and marketed with a "something for everyone" approach (and for a good cause) it won't satisfy readers with breast cancer who need more substance and detail than is offered here in order to make decisions about their own future.
Diana Ward

Mixed Messages, our breasts in our lives. Written by Brigid McConville.
Published by Penguin 1994. ISBN: 0-14-017379-X. £6.99.
An engaging, easy-to-read, yet underlyingly serious book about the social, psychological, commercial, religious, biological, historical, sexual, clinical and political status of the normal and diseased breast. Chapters 10-15 deal with breast cancer in a straightforward factual style, including treatment options and supplementary therapies.The book concludes with constructive scenarios for change, which could deliver a better deal for everyone involved with breast cancer in the UK, especially the patients. There is a useful directory of helping organisations.
Diana Ward

One in Ten, Women living with breast cancer. Written by Diana Ward.
Published by Allen and Unwin, 1996. ISBN: 1-86448-037-8.
21 stories, simply presented and movingly told, by and about women living with breast cancer. The experiences of these (Australian) women vary so much: whether it be dealing with the attitudes of medical staff, coping with the reactions of family and friends, or finding ways in which to make difficult decisions. A salutary reminder to listen first, and not to judge - just as Diana Ward did when she met these women, put their stories onto tape and wrote them up for us to read.
Cathy Nugent

Preventing Breast Cancer, the politics of an epidemic. Written by Dr Cathy Read.
Published by Pandora 1995. ISBN: 0-04-440909-5. £7.99.
Read was inspired to write this book after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. A well-established science writer, Read has produced an excellent and accessible reference book which addresses all the potential causes of breast cancer.
Environmental influences considered in the book include persistent synthetic chemicals including pesticides, oestrogen mimics, ionising radiation, and electromagnetic radiation, from power lines for instance.
'Preventing Breast Cancer' puts the disease in its political and environmental context and combats the individual private "victim syndrome" which threatens women, whether the suspected cause is lifestyle or chemicals. It empowers women to deal with the causes, as many are beginning to do by campaigning for pesticide-free food, promoting organic produce and by setting up supportive and campaigning organisations.
Ann Link and Helen Lynn

Living Downstream, an ecologist looks at cancer and the environment. Written by Sandra Steingraber.
Published in UK by Little, Brown & Co. 1998. ISBN: 1 86049 469 2.
Sandra Steingraber is a researcher, writer and teacher at the University of Michigan. This book is partly a personal testament and partly an (easy to read) scientific exposition on the relationship of cancer-causing chemicals to human and animal health. Streingraber contracted a rare bladder cancer at the age of 20 and subsequently set out to look for the possible environmental causes of her illness. She looks at at maps which show incidence of cancer in rural/urban areas together with pesticide use and urban pollution. She also looks at aspects of human biology: cellular studies which indicate that certain chemicals can cause cell growth and division; studies which show that chemical can damage the immune system and the endocrine system, promoting cancers.
Steingraber's book also has a campaigning dimension. She advocates a human rights approach. A system, which does not and will not regulate carcinogens, shows "reckless disregard for human life". We must, she says, "have the courage to act on partial evidence" and stop these carcinogens getting into our environment.
Review taken from Rachel's Environment & Health Weekly erf@rachel.clark.net.

Cancer in Britain, the politics of prevention. Written by Lesley Doyal, Samuel Epstein and Various contributors.
Published by Pluto Press 1983. ISBN: 0-86104-394-4.
Although this book is now 15 years old (you will have to get hold of a copy from the library) there is still much useful information here, especially about carcinogens in the environment - in the workplace, in consumer products and in the general environment. The book concentrates on case studies and although some of the information may be out of date the studies cover a wide range of issues. The book concludes with ideas on how to fight back and these are definitely still up to date!
Cathy Nugent

Silent Spring. Written by Rachel Carson.
Published by Penguin. 1991. ISBN: 0 14 013891 9. £7.99. 1962.
The mother of all books about environment and health. A scientifically passionate account of the damage we are exposing wildlife and humans too by our wide spread use of pesticides and insecticides. A very controversial book in its time and still to this day. Rachel Carson argues that unless we recognise that human beings are only a part of the living world, our progressive poisoning of the planet will end in catastrophe. A must read.

Our Stolen Future, are we threatening our fertility, intelligence and survival. Written By Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski and John Peterson Myers
Published by Abacus 1996. ISBN: 0-349-10878-1.
Since 1991 there has been an immense amount of research worldwide on hormone disrupters, the chemicals which interfere with the growth or behaviour of our body cells.
This was set in motion by a US meeting in which scientists studying wildlife met others researching hormonal effects of drugs. This was followed in November 1995 by another international meeting which has produced a consensus statement about the neurological effects of hormone disrupters which threaten the intellectual and social development of children all over the world. The scientist who started the US process was Theo Colborn.
'Our Stolen Future' puts the whole story of synthetic hormone damage together, making it accessible to the general reader. A book you must read!
Ann Link

From Place to Place, Maps and Parish Maps. Edited by Sue Clifford and Angela King
Published by Common Ground. ISBN: 1-870364-16-3. £10.
A fascinating book all about the value of mapping. Various contributors describe different aspects of mapping. They describe how a map can be a means for individuals and communities to assert involvement in a particular place. Also a practical guide to mapping a small area - what Common Ground call "the parish". As Sue Clifford says: "In making a Parish Map you can come together to hold the frame where you want it to be, you can throw light on the things which are important to you, and you may find courage to speak with passion about why all this matters."
Cathy Nugent

The Pesticide Handbook. Written by Hurst, Hay and Dudley.
Published by Journeyman Press 1991.
Looks at pesticide use, the environment and health. Guidebook for consumers and anyone who wants to know more. Alternatives reviewed.

The Pesticides Hazard. Compiled by Barbara Dinham for the Pesticides Trust
Zed Books 1993. ISBN: 1 85649 201 XHb.
Looks at global trade and use of pesticides. Detailed analyses of safety levels and health effects.

Understanding the Development Jigsaw, a User's Guide to Procedures Written by Wendy Le-Las.
Published by Buccaneer Books 1997. ISBN: 0 9529985 09 5. £25.95.
A practical handbook for anyone wishing to protect the environment from development which is damaging or unsustainable. This book explains the general principles of mounting a case and how the procedures, which determine land use, fit together. Appendices on other relevant issues: local government organisation, Agenda 21, the role of Europe and so on.

The Breast Cancer Prevention Program by Samuel Epstein MD and David Steinman with Suzanna Le Vert.
Published by MacMillan 1997. ISBN: 0-02-536192-9. $24.95.
"Cancer treatment is big business, with multi-billion dollar annual cancer drug sales. Cancer prevention is very much less profitable, at least to big business." Soon to be released in Britain, this American book looks at this issue and many more to explain why "the most important story the one that could truly save lives is not being told, at least not by the mainstream press." The book advocates lifestyle, dietary, political and personal changes we can make to protect ourselves against breast cancer.
There is a lot of information in the book which makes it difficult to assess the risks. This could be overwhelming for some individual women and thus is better read if you already have some knowledge. The book ends with a section with stimulating ideas for action so that we can pick away at the aspects of industrialisation that cause breast cancer.
Helen Lynn and Ann Link

The Incineration Campaign Guide
Published by Friends of the Earth Ltd. ISBN: 1 85750 317 1. £15
Burning waste is bad for the environment and bad for you. Smoke gases and toxic ash from incinerators can contain all kinds of chemicals which are harmful to health at very low levels and can be carcinogenic. Useful background reading.
Cathy Nugent

The Landfill Campaign Guide
published by Friends of the Earth Ltd. ISBN: 1 85750 310 4. £15
This book is more about stopping new sites than tackling the pollution caused by existing sites. However much of information is useful including background on legal framework and licensing authorities, how landfills work and general information on the environmental problems which landfills cause. However you will need to do further research to find out what kinds of chemicals are emitted from these sites.
Cathy Nugent

Genetic Engineering: Dream or Nightmare? Dr Mae-Wan Ho.
Published by Gateway Books. ISBN: 1-85860-051-0. £9.95
Dr Mae-Wan Ho's book sets out in plain English the truly terrifying facts about the uncertainties of genetic engineering and its global implications. The subversion of science from its traditional philosophical and altruistic role to one of serving commercial enterprise has created severe tunnel vision in its proponents to the subsequent detriment of every adult and child on this planet.
Dr Ho's book epitomises the saying that, fact can be infinitely more bizarre than fiction and we ignore her writings at our peril.
Clare Dimmer

No Immediate Danger Prognosis for a Radioactive Earth. Written by Rosalie Bertell.
Published by The Women's Press. ISBN: 0 7043 3934 X. First published 1985.
Rosalie Bertell is a North American scientist who has testified for inquiries on nuclear energy all over the world. This book was written before the end of the Cold War but as we know this did not mean an end to the proliferation of nuclear arms or the end of nuclear energy.
The book is a must read for those who want to become experts in this field with an analysis of both the effects of radiation and a comprehensive historical and political background. One of the early chapters in the book details the effects of radiation and is therefore of particular use for WEN's project. The publishers say this book will be reissued at the end of 1998. In the meantime it is available in libraries.
Cathy Nugent

Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom by Dr. Christiane Northrup.
Published by Piatkus March 1995. ISBN: 0 7499 1484 X. £14.99.
Health care guide for women looking at all aspects of women's health from a holistic perspective. Explores the idea of listening to your own body's wisdom and intuition about your health and encourages women to heal themselves and stay healthy.

Patient No More: The Politics of Breast Cancer by Sharon Batt.
Published by Gynergy Books/Ragweed Press. ISBN: 0921881304. Published in America.
In this book journalist Sharon Batt examines the roles played by the medical community, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, government researchers and other parts of the establishment - all from a critical point of view. Not just of relevance to American women because there are many similarities and parallels between the politics of breast cancer in the US and the UK.

Dr Susan Love's Breast Book. Written by Dr Susan Love with Karen Lindsay.
Published by Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. ISBN: 0 20140835 X. £17.
Now published in Britain, this is the standard US reference text. Accessible and comprehensive.

Cancer Through the Eyes of Ten Women, edited by Patricia Duncker and Vicky Wilson.
Published by Pandora. ISBN: 0 04 440980 X. £8.99.
The contributors to this startlingly original collection have two things in common: they all have cancer, and none of them tells a 'conventional cancer story' of heroic defiance in the face of adversity.
No woman who has had cancer continues her life unchanged. In their determination to uncover the complexities and subtleties of cancer truths, the contributors adopt entirely other ways of understanding their experiences.
From the back cover of the book.

The Feminisation of Nature - Our Future at Risk. Written by Deborah Cadbury.
Published by Penguin. 1997. ISBN: 0-14-026205-9. £7.99.
Well referenced, comprehensive account of how human and animal reproduction is affected by our environment. Scientists around the world are uncovering changes in human and animal health. Different species are showing signs of 'feminisation' or 'changing sex'. This book looks at the prime suspects in these findings.
From back of book.

What the Label Doesn't Tell You by Sue Dibb.
Published by Thorsons 1997.ISBN: 0-7225-3497-3. £6.99
Useful book if you are confused by media scare stories and want to know the real facts behind the food industry's marketing hype. Looks at issues such as: additives in food, genetic engineering, diet and health foods etc. A book for all those interested in making good food choices.
From back cover of book.

The Power in Our Hands by Tony Gibson.
Published by Joe Carpenter, Oxfordshire. 1996. ISBN: 1 897766 28 9. £11.99.
This book is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things all over the world. Sorting out what needs to be done, showing each other how to do it, spreading the news along the information highway, making waves. The changes start small, but they end up spreading worldwide.
From back cover of book.

The Green Home - How to make your world a better place by Karen Christensen.
Published by Piatkus. ISBN: 0 7499 1460 2. 1995. £9.99.
Comprehensive, accessible and lively introduction to all aspects of green home-making. Packed with hundreds of common sense ways in which you can make a difference to the world you live in, through the choices you make in everyday things.
From back cover of book

How to get hold of these books.

With two exceptions - Sharon Batt's Patient No More and Samuel Epstein's Breast Cancer Prevention Plan - all of these books are published in Britain and can be ordered through your local bookshop - remember to quote the ISBN number. Batt's book can be ordered from her American publisher.

A few of these books may not currently be in print or are about to be reprinted. Your local library should be able to obtain them on an inter-library loan.

Some of these books are a bit pricey. Again you can ask your library to obtain them on an inter-library loan or if they are new books they will order and buy them for you. They will always do this if they think that someone else will read the book - which is bound to be the case!

Some of these books - the medical and personal accounts in particular - may also be available from your local hospital and/or cancer centre or a health promotion department. Ask your GP or oncologist for advice.