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Bald Is Better with Earrings: A Survivor's Guide to Getting Through Breast Cancer
The breast cancer guide every woman needs for herself, her best friend, and her sister—a warm, practical, relatable handbook, that dispels the terror, taking you step-by-step through the process, from diagnosis to post-treatment. When Andrea Hutton was diagnosed with breast cancer, she wanted to know everything. She voraciously read books, articles, and websites and talked to everyone she knew. But nothing prepared her for what the surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation would feel like. Were there tricks that could ease her pain and discomfort? What was “fatigue” and how would it affect her? At what exact moment would her hair fall out and how? Hutton wanted what she could not a clear how-to guide for the cancer girl she had become. Bald Is Better with Earrings is Hutton’s answer for women diagnosed with breast a straightforward handbook, leavened with humor and inspiration, to shepherd them though the experience. Warm and down-to-earth, Hutton explains what to expect and walks you through this intense and emotional tests, surgery, chemo, losing your hair and shaving your head, being bald, radiation treatments. Hutton offers a wealth of invaluable advice—from tricks for surviving chemo, to treating your skin during radiation, to keeping track of meds—and includes a practical list of tips for each stage of the process at the end of every chapter. Compassionate, friendly, and shaped by Hutton’s first-hand knowledge, Bald Is Better with Earrings is the comprehensive, essential companion for anyone dealing with breast cancer.
224 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2015
23 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 24, 2017
This is definitely the best book I've read so far on the subject of breast cancer. It is exactly what I needed it to be: informative, reassuring, positive, and even funny at times.
It made me feel like I have a fighting chance.
-------------------UPDATE 5/19/17----------------
After being on the Breast Cancer Train for 4 months now, I've learned a few things. I'm not changing the rating and I still believe this is a great book, one that will give the recently diagnosed a good helping of "you can do this!"
Unfortunately, shortly after reading this book I learned that my cancer had spread to my bones and brain. It has metastasized to my femur, sternum, pelvic bone, all down my spine, collarbone, and cerebellum.
While women like Andrea Hutton go though so, so much, they still at least have a 98% chance of survival. I was not one of the lucky ones, and it's strange to think of anyone with cancer as "a lucky one". Also, people like Andrea still have to worry their whole lives that they will be one of the 30% that end up like me.
Thus, my reading material on breast cancer has extremely diminished, Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC, Stage IV, Advanced BC) doesn't get a lot of face time. So there aren't heaps of books, documentaries, tv shows, etc. on the subject.
But I will still be recommending this book to those early stagers and those who are recently diagnosed because however unrequired this information was for me, it still calmed me down at the time when I needed it the most.
It made me feel like I have a fighting chance.
-------------------UPDATE 5/19/17----------------
After being on the Breast Cancer Train for 4 months now, I've learned a few things. I'm not changing the rating and I still believe this is a great book, one that will give the recently diagnosed a good helping of "you can do this!"
Unfortunately, shortly after reading this book I learned that my cancer had spread to my bones and brain. It has metastasized to my femur, sternum, pelvic bone, all down my spine, collarbone, and cerebellum.
While women like Andrea Hutton go though so, so much, they still at least have a 98% chance of survival. I was not one of the lucky ones, and it's strange to think of anyone with cancer as "a lucky one". Also, people like Andrea still have to worry their whole lives that they will be one of the 30% that end up like me.
Thus, my reading material on breast cancer has extremely diminished, Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC, Stage IV, Advanced BC) doesn't get a lot of face time. So there aren't heaps of books, documentaries, tv shows, etc. on the subject.
But I will still be recommending this book to those early stagers and those who are recently diagnosed because however unrequired this information was for me, it still calmed me down at the time when I needed it the most.
July 16, 2015
Being recently diagnosed, post-surgery and in the chemo stage of breast cancer, I didn't know if I'd want to read this book or not. A friend gave it to me as a gift, along with a pair of cute earrings and I jumped right in and finished in 2 days. It's definitely a valuable book for those recently diagnosed and their caregivers. Everyone's cancer "journey" and story are going to be different, but I found a lot of good tidbits of wisdom from this book. So glad my friend gave it to me!
June 28, 2024
Well, this turned out better than I expected, overall. The information about ports, infusions, nails/skin issues, scanxiety, appetite, and surgical choices are all helpful and specific. But good lord, she literally says she was more upset about temporarily losing her hair than permanently losing her boob. I guess I need to chalk up most of my annoyance to my own lackluster head of hair that I had shaved off several times in my life before I ever had to lose it to chemo. Different women will be traumatized by different things, I suppose. But she talked about being bald like it was the worst possible thing that could happen to a woman. If this book was written in, like, the 50s, maybe I could understand that, but it's from 2015.
I would perhaps share sections of this book with people undergoing cancer treatment, but definitely not all of it.
I would perhaps share sections of this book with people undergoing cancer treatment, but definitely not all of it.
Read
January 28, 2023Having been diagnosed with breast cancer in Oct. 2022, I had this book on my Wishlist and a dear friend got it for me, along with great earrings. It is a first-person account of dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis and the steps along the way. It is frank, direct, and honest, with a bit of humor too. I should have read it a little sooner, as she covers dealing with the mind-bending days of little to too much information, surgery, chemo, radiation and aftermath. It is a "fun" read for being cancer-focused and it will be my #1 choice to send to people when they are diagnosed. I would also recommend that caregivers read it too - as they journey with the cancer patient and deal with all the things too! 🎀
May 12, 2023
This is a great guide if you’re looking for a little emotional support and practical tips while navigating a breast cancer diagnosis. Most of the other books I have read talk about biology, tests, and specific resources. This is the guide that will recommend how to dress for comfort and ideas for handling awkward conversations with family and friends. It’s a bit like having advice from an older sister who has already been through this. Highly recommended.
December 21, 2021
Well written and informative.
July 17, 2024
As someone who read this while going through breast cancer treatment, it was very good. Even if I didn’t share every experience the author had, it was nice to hear about what she went through and know I’m not alone. Great book. It’s a book about cancer so you may not come away grinning from ear to ear, but you will come away feeling more knowledgeable.
January 13, 2016
I found the book exactly what i wanted it to be, honest with some sarcasm and useful hints for new diagnosed patients. I will continue to refer to this book often while I start chemo and later radiation Thank you so much ☺️
October 3, 2025
I admit I was scared to read this book. It was on a list of books that were being highlighted as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. In order to make this month more meaningful rather than simply resolving to wear more pink, I decided to listen to the audiobook from the library. I may be biased but my favorite audiobooks are ones voiced by the author, so this made me enjoy the book even more. I felt like I was sitting down with Andrea and listening to her story directly whereas I was not brave enough to sit down with friends and family to learn what it was really like to go through this. Don’t get me wrong, this book was difficult to listen to & I didn’t “enjoy it” per-say due to the heaviness of her reality, but I did like the shimmers of humor, hope, and sense of community she mentioned throughout. She really dives into the details of what it’s like to get diagnosed and go through treatments, which exposed me to a world I was only vaguely familiar with due to friends and family going through it. I knew cancer survivor journeys are hard, but wow. This book made me more empathic as I honestly didn’t know how to ask (and at times didn’t feel comfortable) asking my friends and family how I could help and be there for them. Thus, if anything, I highly recommend the last 2 chapters. Worthwhile read in my opinion & helped me gather ideas for care packages and ways to love my friends better while dispelling some of the fear around this disease.
May 13, 2019
This is a great book because it was written by a woman who experienced almost everything a woman dreads about breast cancer. The author tells what happened to her, but she also mentions the experiences of others she has talked with. However, she tells her readers to ask their own oncologist and follow her/his advice - after carefully choosing the oncologist.
The reader is taken step-by-step from discovering a lump to getting a mammogram to having a biopsy, then surgery, chemo, and radiation. The author tells about her emotions, her physical problems, her relationships, and her victories. She also informs her readers that each case is unique so they should consult with their own doctors about any and all concerns that they have.
I think I found two typos altogether in the book, and they were very minor. The value of the book way overrides the tiny typos. Whether you yourself are facing breast cancer or have battled it in the past - or whether you know a friend or family member who is battling it, you will be better informed by reading this book.
The book is well-organized with lots of white space to help tired, old eyes. It doesn't take long to read, but you may want to keep it to help others in the future.
The reader is taken step-by-step from discovering a lump to getting a mammogram to having a biopsy, then surgery, chemo, and radiation. The author tells about her emotions, her physical problems, her relationships, and her victories. She also informs her readers that each case is unique so they should consult with their own doctors about any and all concerns that they have.
I think I found two typos altogether in the book, and they were very minor. The value of the book way overrides the tiny typos. Whether you yourself are facing breast cancer or have battled it in the past - or whether you know a friend or family member who is battling it, you will be better informed by reading this book.
The book is well-organized with lots of white space to help tired, old eyes. It doesn't take long to read, but you may want to keep it to help others in the future.
May 15, 2019
Great advice!
I just read this, 2 months after my bilateral mastectomy. I felt like I was reading my own bio! She is spot on with her description of the cancer experience, as well as being full of good advice, a little humor, and a great attitude. I learned a few things from her that should help me in my own experience.
One thing I experienced that she does not address is the nonstop diarrhea from chemo. So not fun!! It’s manageable (with MORE drugs and diet changes), but it never really goes away. It’s another one of those things no one warns you about.
I also wish there was a section on reconstruction. The author chose not do it, but I plan to. Would love to have such a candid retelling of someone’s experience with that.
Overall, great reading for anyone at any stage of breast cancer!
I just read this, 2 months after my bilateral mastectomy. I felt like I was reading my own bio! She is spot on with her description of the cancer experience, as well as being full of good advice, a little humor, and a great attitude. I learned a few things from her that should help me in my own experience.
One thing I experienced that she does not address is the nonstop diarrhea from chemo. So not fun!! It’s manageable (with MORE drugs and diet changes), but it never really goes away. It’s another one of those things no one warns you about.
I also wish there was a section on reconstruction. The author chose not do it, but I plan to. Would love to have such a candid retelling of someone’s experience with that.
Overall, great reading for anyone at any stage of breast cancer!
October 4, 2023
I’m glad the author felt the need to write this book and apparently it helped her heal which is really important however I personally felt the book left a lot to be desired. My spouse was diagnosed with cancer and there is so much critical advice and information left out of this “guide”. ( the financial toll it takes, the disruption in work life, the awful side effects & the hints for getting through them, the importance of balance to sleep, rest & exercise, how taste and food changes..and so much more). I felt the author made light a lot many of cancer treatment aspects and basically laid put a perfectly outlined schedule of tests & treatments. That’s just not the reality. Also while it’s critical to maintain a positive outlook, I didn’t care for her “jokes”. They seemed to cheapen the entire cancer diagnosis and journey.
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July 28, 2017I have not been diagnosed with breast cancer, but a dear friend has, so when this book practically jumped off the shelf at the used book store, I knew I should read it. The author wrote this book to be the book she wished she had been able to find when she was diagnosed. It is full of practical tips and information for each stage of the process, with lots of reminders that no two processes are exactly alike. I thought it was down to earth and had just a touch of snark and humor without being irreverent.
August 27, 2022
This book doesn't cover every possible iteration of breast cancer treatment but man is it useful for me. I don't have anyone who can walk me through all of this, so this book is incredibly helpful in knowing what to expect from a patient perspective.
August 22, 2018
Worthwhile read for any woman with cancer.
August 1, 2023
I really needed as well as enjoyed this book!!! I am going through cancer now and needed the laughs and the helpful tips from a survivor!
February 27, 2017
Such an easy read! This was a first-hand account of breast cancer treatment with a refreshing, conversational style of writing. I read this after my mom's first session of chemo. Almost everything that Andrea went through up to that point is exactly what my mom is going through. This was super helpful, and I now know what my mom will be going through.
Thank you!!
Thank you!!
October 31, 2015
I got this book at the cancer center today and read it from cover to cover. This is fabulous. It's like Martha Stewart does cancer. The book isn't just another whiny memoir that somebody paid an agent to push through publication. The chapter are organized into real advice for each stage of treatment. Best of all, the book goes into excruciating detail about what she experienced, day by day, through each treatment. There's not some cheerful haze over the whole thing. This woman is clearly a problem-solver, and a great one to boot.
I have one piece of advice for the author. She's obviously adorably embarrassed when writing about sex. The detail in that chapter immediately leaves her work and she uses vague and general advice while dancing around language like "vagina" or "penis" or damn near anything else. Just cut the whole section from the next edition, honey, it's okay. You don't have to include anything that makes you go red in the cheeks.
I have one piece of advice for the author. She's obviously adorably embarrassed when writing about sex. The detail in that chapter immediately leaves her work and she uses vague and general advice while dancing around language like "vagina" or "penis" or damn near anything else. Just cut the whole section from the next edition, honey, it's okay. You don't have to include anything that makes you go red in the cheeks.
August 22, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
A short, quick read, this will be an excellent guidebook to give to someone who is going through not just breast cancer, but a lot of other cancers as well.
Having assisted my mother in her fight against another type of cancer, there are things I wish I had known then. Chemo and radiation have universal side effects, no matter where the cancer is in your body. Losing your hair, mouth sores, etc., etc. And there are fairly simple remedies for many of these things, that if we only knew about them (and doctors are often too busy doing "important" things like healing people), we could help make these individuals feel better. Oftentimes, it's the small things that make a difference, and Hutton hit the nail on the head with this book.
A short, quick read, this will be an excellent guidebook to give to someone who is going through not just breast cancer, but a lot of other cancers as well.
Having assisted my mother in her fight against another type of cancer, there are things I wish I had known then. Chemo and radiation have universal side effects, no matter where the cancer is in your body. Losing your hair, mouth sores, etc., etc. And there are fairly simple remedies for many of these things, that if we only knew about them (and doctors are often too busy doing "important" things like healing people), we could help make these individuals feel better. Oftentimes, it's the small things that make a difference, and Hutton hit the nail on the head with this book.
July 22, 2015
This is the "girlfriends" guide to breast cancer. Andrea Hutton talks frankly about all sorts of subjects beginning from diagnosis, all the pricks and pokes you get, the realities of chemo, what actually happens to your skin during radiation, and the emotional roller coaster a survivor rides. I don't have breast cancer, but my good friend does, and I wanted to know more about what it is like - physically and emotionally. Obviously, every cancer patient is unique in their diagnosis and treatment, reactions and emotions. Andrea did not like being bald and always wore a wig, while my friend is really embracing her baldness badassedness. However, after reading this book, I feel more informed to ask my friend more specific questions, what to say to her, and what I can do as her friend.
September 2, 2015
I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone facing breast cancer and their families. Ms. Hutton takes her personal experience and turns it into a practical guide for the breast cancer patient. She tells her story with grace and humor but her end of the chapter suggestions are awesome. I wish that I had found this book before I started my treatment but it will be a welcome guide as I continue on to chemotherapy.
This is a book that I will continue to return to as my treatment continues. If you or anyone you knows is dealing with breast cancer, buy this book immediately!
This is a book that I will continue to return to as my treatment continues. If you or anyone you knows is dealing with breast cancer, buy this book immediately!
December 11, 2015
Having had breast cancer myself, I wished I had read it before my diagnosis. I would recommend this for any woman (or man) who has breast cancer in their family. Be prepared. I was not and my head was still spinning when they announced I was in remission.
I received this book from Goodreads in hopes of a review.
I received this book from Goodreads in hopes of a review.
January 27, 2016
Although I do not have cancer myself, I read the book because friends and family have/do. The books is a great resource for me and others like me who just need an insiders look into the life of a breast cancer patient/survivor. Written in an informal and completely honest tone. Each section ends with a small list of tips. If nothing else, just flip through the books and read these boxes.
April 12, 2016
A fantastic and supportive book for anyone battling breast cancer. She provides so much practical advice and information and she writes with humour that I could instantly relate to. Highly recommended.
July 30, 2015
Great
Have friends going through this. It helped me understand. It showed me how to help. And what not to do!
Have friends going through this. It helped me understand. It showed me how to help. And what not to do!
October 29, 2015
This was a really helpful how-to guide. It was more nuts and bolts than I was expecting, but it really broke down what it's like to go through breast cancer. Very informative.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews