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The Cancer Whisperer: How to let cancer heal your life
'I have cancer. Cancer does not have me.'
Sophie Sabbage was diagnosed with late stage 'incurable' lung cancer in October 2014. She was 48 years old, happily married with a 4-year-old daughter. Since that day - when doctors told Sophie that her prognosis was poor - she has been on a remarkable journey of healing and transformation that has reshaped her vocation as well as changed her life for the better.
The Cancer Whisperer chronicles Sophie's extraordinary relationship with cancer and the methods that she has used for dealing with fear, anger, denial and grief. The essence of 'cancer whispering' was born of Sophie's determination to take cancer off the battlefield and into the classroom. Instead of going to war with it, Sophie has chosen to listen to it, learn from it and choose her own response to it.
Sophie offers a radically different way of relating to this disease both mentally and she shares the research she has done, the treatments she has chosen, the diet she follows and the resources that she feels have made the biggest differences in the hope that they will help others cut through the mass of information out there.
Sophie ' This book is for the cancer patient who wants to remain a dignified, empowered human being even when your doctors and diagnosis are scaring the hell out of you. It is also for the cancer patient who has a hunch that there is something for them to learn, gain or even be transformed by - if they just knew how to relate to this disease differently to the way most of society does. It is for the cancer patient, perhaps any patient.'
Sophie Sabbage was diagnosed with late stage 'incurable' lung cancer in October 2014. She was 48 years old, happily married with a 4-year-old daughter. Since that day - when doctors told Sophie that her prognosis was poor - she has been on a remarkable journey of healing and transformation that has reshaped her vocation as well as changed her life for the better.
The Cancer Whisperer chronicles Sophie's extraordinary relationship with cancer and the methods that she has used for dealing with fear, anger, denial and grief. The essence of 'cancer whispering' was born of Sophie's determination to take cancer off the battlefield and into the classroom. Instead of going to war with it, Sophie has chosen to listen to it, learn from it and choose her own response to it.
Sophie offers a radically different way of relating to this disease both mentally and she shares the research she has done, the treatments she has chosen, the diet she follows and the resources that she feels have made the biggest differences in the hope that they will help others cut through the mass of information out there.
Sophie ' This book is for the cancer patient who wants to remain a dignified, empowered human being even when your doctors and diagnosis are scaring the hell out of you. It is also for the cancer patient who has a hunch that there is something for them to learn, gain or even be transformed by - if they just knew how to relate to this disease differently to the way most of society does. It is for the cancer patient, perhaps any patient.'
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2015
41 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 20, 2015
A life-giving read!
This book has given me so much to ponder. I am not a cancer patient but have a husband and a mother living with cancer. They have both chosen an intergrative course of treatment and this book has been invaluable in so many ways but certainly in helping me to understand the head space of a cancer patient, the importance of not losing your personhood and the support needed to make the journey to wellness. Thank you Sophie!
This book has given me so much to ponder. I am not a cancer patient but have a husband and a mother living with cancer. They have both chosen an intergrative course of treatment and this book has been invaluable in so many ways but certainly in helping me to understand the head space of a cancer patient, the importance of not losing your personhood and the support needed to make the journey to wellness. Thank you Sophie!
April 1, 2017
Não é um romance, não é uma biografia, não é uma "obra" literária, então porque as 5*?
Simplesmente porque é um apelo à Vida, um livro sobre o amor, um livro sobre a coragem, um livro de ajuda, uma bíblia para quem passou ou passa por um processo oncológico
Simplesmente porque é um apelo à Vida, um livro sobre o amor, um livro sobre a coragem, um livro de ajuda, uma bíblia para quem passou ou passa por um processo oncológico
April 11, 2017
A remarkable book which charts one woman's approach to living with terminal cancer. The narrative combines hard hitting personal experience after being diagnosed (although experience of treatment is mercifully sparse) with stage 4 lung cancer at 48 with a self-help type structure based upon her professional experience of running self-help workshops.
Sophie Sabbage doesn't pull any punches with regard to the realities of cancer and the way it shoves death into your face. However she takes this unruly multi-headed monster and unpicks the fear that it breeds upon. She has done an incredible amount of self-reflection and analysis and has produced a sincere and insightful book.
Sophie Sabbage doesn't pull any punches with regard to the realities of cancer and the way it shoves death into your face. However she takes this unruly multi-headed monster and unpicks the fear that it breeds upon. She has done an incredible amount of self-reflection and analysis and has produced a sincere and insightful book.
June 19, 2017
In some ways I loved this book. I found Sophie Sabbage to be very honest in the way she dealt with her cancer. She had no time for 'positive thinking' but understood that she had a perfect right to feel grief, and anger, and a lot of other emotions. However she did go and have some very dubious treatments. Thank goodness she went along with her doctors too, as medicines now are so much better than they were. (I speak as one who has cancer just about everywhere - but with the tumours shrinking fast, since I was diagnosed, and put on tablets). I lost a sister because she thought she could cure herself with alternative medicine, so I steer well clear of any book that peddles that sort of line. (Those authors should be sued in my opinion, as they might as well be putting a gun to the head of the cancer sufferer.) I'm fine with 'alternative' medicines, as long as they're used alongside conventional treatments.
So yes, the book is positive and strong, and in that respect is well worth reading. She is a brave woman coping with her illness with great resourcefulness and courage.
So yes, the book is positive and strong, and in that respect is well worth reading. She is a brave woman coping with her illness with great resourcefulness and courage.
March 31, 2021
Speaking as someone who did lose someone from cancer (and picked this very book from that someone’s bookshelf), I wish I discovered this book years ago. It’s incredibly insightful and it is SO different in comparison to many other books revolving around cancer.
Whether you are the cancer patient, or you know someone who is, or if you simply want to learn, I definitely recommend this book! This book breaks down experiences, gives suggestions (yet clearly states that’s what worked for the author) and it is brutally honest— the type of honest that’s good for you though.
So, if you’re walking on eggshells around someone you know who has cancer, of if you are the one diagnosed, I wholeheartedly believe this book will work as an amazing guidance, as it doesn’t sugarcoat reality yet it brings an interesting take on optimism.
Whether you are the cancer patient, or you know someone who is, or if you simply want to learn, I definitely recommend this book! This book breaks down experiences, gives suggestions (yet clearly states that’s what worked for the author) and it is brutally honest— the type of honest that’s good for you though.
So, if you’re walking on eggshells around someone you know who has cancer, of if you are the one diagnosed, I wholeheartedly believe this book will work as an amazing guidance, as it doesn’t sugarcoat reality yet it brings an interesting take on optimism.
February 5, 2017
Inspirational.
Having just been diagnosed with terminal cancer I am currently in a turmoil of conflicting emotions. This book has really helped me to put those emotions into some sense of order.
Having just been diagnosed with terminal cancer I am currently in a turmoil of conflicting emotions. This book has really helped me to put those emotions into some sense of order.
February 17, 2022
A thought-provoking and mildly inspiring book written by a woman who outlived her diagnosis by many years. She lays out a lot of her philosophical and spiritual perspective on life and how it shaped her response to a dire diagnosis. I found myself wanting to know more about her actual medical and physical experience. She insists upon maintaining personhood over and above being merely a patient of the NHS. This seemed to include an arrogant pettiness of demanding a change of offered appointments just so ‘they’ don’t dictate the terms. I can’t say I feel reduced as a person when the NHS offer me a date for an appointment. Some interesting life questions to consider, a few helpful take-aways but I rather regret buying two of her books now.
April 25, 2019
Although Sophie is very honest about her experience I found this book in many ways unsatisfying. I have a very similar diagnosis as the author. I didn’t like her negative attitude towards hard working NHS doctors. I too share her frustration at the negativity of some doctors towards complementary medicine but they are working very hard going a difficult job.
I found the final chapter the worst, it seemed to have been written with the promotion of her new business in mind. She mentions cannabis oil only in one brief sentence. If that was the key to her success, she should have explored in her book.
I found the final chapter the worst, it seemed to have been written with the promotion of her new business in mind. She mentions cannabis oil only in one brief sentence. If that was the key to her success, she should have explored in her book.
June 27, 2021
Mix between self-help and cancer patient's journey. Sophie has stage 4 lung cancer but instead of taking this diagnosis passively she has strapped herself into the pilots seat and decided that she will make the most of Life and make the calls as to how she will live with this message.
I read this book to support my friend and have learnt that a cancer diagnosis doesn't have to be considered the end of your life but rather a place that you can start to live your Life assessing the truly important and not take directions about your diagnosis passively.
Some of the book will not appeal to all but I think everyone will find something that is relatable or suitable to them
I read this book to support my friend and have learnt that a cancer diagnosis doesn't have to be considered the end of your life but rather a place that you can start to live your Life assessing the truly important and not take directions about your diagnosis passively.
Some of the book will not appeal to all but I think everyone will find something that is relatable or suitable to them
June 23, 2020
I am not the right reader for this book. Every two or three pages, there was a sentence that was somewhat helpful or illuminating, but otherwise it was too much about self- actualisation for my tastes. Might be useful for people who want to take charge of their own cancer journey, but not at all helpful for my elderly mother also dealing with memory loss.
February 13, 2025
A brilliant book, beautifully written, about making life's disasters into transformative teachers. Full of advice you don't have to take (choosing for yourself is the ignition point of wellness) Sophie reveals herself as the best companion for any journey. Run, don't walk, to secure your copy because you or someone you know will be needing it soon.
March 8, 2019
What to say? This book was here when I needed it. I soaked it all in. I love the passion that Sophie writes with. She was kind enough to respond to my 'can I quote you in mine?' request with an instant 'of course'. She's a team player and that and I'm proud to be on her team.
March 7, 2020
Very inspiring. A demonstration of spirit against adversity and taking control of your own destiny. Lots of useful practical tips as well as inspiring attitudes which can also be used to other types of Graces in life.
February 16, 2019
A autoria refere que seria incapaz de escrever romances, discordo. Escreve de forma sublime. Narra os acontecimentos de uma forma melodiosa. Um livro perfeito que toda a gente deveria ler.
August 30, 2020
A brilliant book about dealing with life shocks, making the most of life and how she is surviving cancer.
March 24, 2023
Excellent resource for cancer patients and their families
March 12, 2017
"The Cancer Whisperer" - Finding Courage, direction and the unlikely gifts of cancer" by Sophie Sabbage
Publisher: Plume (January 24, 2017)
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ISBN-10: 1473637961
ISBN-13: 978-1473637962
Ratings: 4.8
As an Ovarian Cancer survivor, and an individual, upon receiving this copy of Sophie Sabbage's 'The Cancer Whisperer' for reviewer purposes from the publisher, I was a little bit wary. Everyone seems to think they can write a book - a self-help book about cancer and life with cancer. That is not always the case.
But Ms. Sabbage not only surprised me, she nailed 'it' several times over. Her way of writing was almost like we were having a conversation. Through her winding road of life experiences, she gained an obvious amount of 'real world' experience, and it shows as she empowered her 'proverbial pen' with passion to get just the right words out.
Her perspective is different, and she allows that everyone who experiences a journey with cancer - patient or caregiver - has a different experience. Yet, she gives some good advice in how to live with it and beyond it.
I encourage everyone to read it. Bravo, bravo.
Publisher: Plume (January 24, 2017)
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ISBN-10: 1473637961
ISBN-13: 978-1473637962
Ratings: 4.8
As an Ovarian Cancer survivor, and an individual, upon receiving this copy of Sophie Sabbage's 'The Cancer Whisperer' for reviewer purposes from the publisher, I was a little bit wary. Everyone seems to think they can write a book - a self-help book about cancer and life with cancer. That is not always the case.
But Ms. Sabbage not only surprised me, she nailed 'it' several times over. Her way of writing was almost like we were having a conversation. Through her winding road of life experiences, she gained an obvious amount of 'real world' experience, and it shows as she empowered her 'proverbial pen' with passion to get just the right words out.
Her perspective is different, and she allows that everyone who experiences a journey with cancer - patient or caregiver - has a different experience. Yet, she gives some good advice in how to live with it and beyond it.
I encourage everyone to read it. Bravo, bravo.
December 28, 2020
A great book about how to react when cancer hits your life. Sophie Sabbage shares her own experience as a life coach who meets cancer in her late forties. Her approach might seem a bit 'radical' sometimes, but overall I found her proposals made a lot of sense. (Definitely a helpful book for me!).
*
*
'Whether or not you become clear of cancer, you can still become free of cancer. That is, free of the fear it feeds on; free of the deadline it imposes; free of the power it can wield over your choices; free of the toxic beliefs that contaminate your healing process; free of the perception of inevitability marching you to your fate.'
*
*
'Statistics, while representing some past realities, are not reality. Your unique outcome cannot be determined or predicted by what has gone before.'
*
*
'Cancer' s stronghold is fear. It arrives, announced your death (often with a target date), and clamps itself to your ensuring panic like a baby to a billowing breast. This is part of what makes cancer so effective. It feeds on your conviction that your days are now numbered and the writing is on the wall. Your fear becomes its refuge and your stress its sustenance. It thrives on resignation and despair.'
*
*
'Worst of all was being regaled with stories about someone or other with cancer who had done this or that and recovered - only to realise that the patient in question had had single-sited, early-stage tumour that bore little resemblance to my multi-sited, late-stage, systemic disease. My spirit would lift like a bird taking flight, then come crashing back to earth with a thud. These were well-meant advice misfires from loving people who simply couldn't imagine what is was like to live in my skin. And, suddenly my skin was the loneliest place in the world.'
*
*
#sophiesabbage #hellocamsbooks #thecancerwhisperer
*
*
'Whether or not you become clear of cancer, you can still become free of cancer. That is, free of the fear it feeds on; free of the deadline it imposes; free of the power it can wield over your choices; free of the toxic beliefs that contaminate your healing process; free of the perception of inevitability marching you to your fate.'
*
*
'Statistics, while representing some past realities, are not reality. Your unique outcome cannot be determined or predicted by what has gone before.'
*
*
'Cancer' s stronghold is fear. It arrives, announced your death (often with a target date), and clamps itself to your ensuring panic like a baby to a billowing breast. This is part of what makes cancer so effective. It feeds on your conviction that your days are now numbered and the writing is on the wall. Your fear becomes its refuge and your stress its sustenance. It thrives on resignation and despair.'
*
*
'Worst of all was being regaled with stories about someone or other with cancer who had done this or that and recovered - only to realise that the patient in question had had single-sited, early-stage tumour that bore little resemblance to my multi-sited, late-stage, systemic disease. My spirit would lift like a bird taking flight, then come crashing back to earth with a thud. These were well-meant advice misfires from loving people who simply couldn't imagine what is was like to live in my skin. And, suddenly my skin was the loneliest place in the world.'
*
*
#sophiesabbage #hellocamsbooks #thecancerwhisperer
February 18, 2017
My cancer is not, as far as I know, terminal, I don't know how I would feel about this book if I was facing imminent death.
There were times when I regretted reading this book, my diagnosis is new and my pain is raw. There were times when reading this made me sob and physically hurt. There is an irony that one of the messages of this book is the power of positive thought and yet The Cancer Whisperer bought me to my absolute lowest however I know that Sabbage would say that I was hiding from that pain and I needed to face up to it.
I have taken a lot from this book which is why I have given it five stars despite the fact that at times it is annoyingly pretentious and self righteous. It has helped me see that I need to listen to my cancer and that nagging feeling that I need to make changes.
I am still scared of cancer but I am trying my very best to embrace the message that I think it is giving me.
In order to put some of the ideas from this book into action I have started a blog to make me face my fears and respond positively
https://ohbumitscancer.wordpress.com
There were times when I regretted reading this book, my diagnosis is new and my pain is raw. There were times when reading this made me sob and physically hurt. There is an irony that one of the messages of this book is the power of positive thought and yet The Cancer Whisperer bought me to my absolute lowest however I know that Sabbage would say that I was hiding from that pain and I needed to face up to it.
I have taken a lot from this book which is why I have given it five stars despite the fact that at times it is annoyingly pretentious and self righteous. It has helped me see that I need to listen to my cancer and that nagging feeling that I need to make changes.
I am still scared of cancer but I am trying my very best to embrace the message that I think it is giving me.
In order to put some of the ideas from this book into action I have started a blog to make me face my fears and respond positively
https://ohbumitscancer.wordpress.com
June 17, 2018
”They needed me to help them help me.”
”It is not about being positive or negative. It is about being accurate. For example, ‘I don’t know’ is a profoundly liberating accuracy to claim when your mind is predicting the future – which it never, ever knows. Nor does it know what other people are thinking (unless you ask, and even then we don’t know for sure what they really believe). We just project our own thoughts onto other people and then tell ourselves, ‘He thinks I’m weak’. If he hasn’t said so, you don’t know that.
All statements about the future are don’t know. You may think you know (based on the past). You may be convinced you know. You may argue that you do know until you’re blue in the face, but you don’t know the future. Ever.”
”The ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self, the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone.” (David Whyte)
”And, suddenly my skin was the loneliest place in the world.”
”Hope doesn’t make promises. It just hopes.”
”[...] my heart-shaped desire [...]”
”You have shown me old insecurities [...] Like my fear of being too visible in case people notice my ordinariness or resent my extraordinariness. Like my belief that I am just too damn vulnerable and too damn weird and too damn honest to be let off my leash in public.”
”[...] I love your soul [...]”
”It is not about being positive or negative. It is about being accurate. For example, ‘I don’t know’ is a profoundly liberating accuracy to claim when your mind is predicting the future – which it never, ever knows. Nor does it know what other people are thinking (unless you ask, and even then we don’t know for sure what they really believe). We just project our own thoughts onto other people and then tell ourselves, ‘He thinks I’m weak’. If he hasn’t said so, you don’t know that.
All statements about the future are don’t know. You may think you know (based on the past). You may be convinced you know. You may argue that you do know until you’re blue in the face, but you don’t know the future. Ever.”
”The ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self, the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone.” (David Whyte)
”And, suddenly my skin was the loneliest place in the world.”
”Hope doesn’t make promises. It just hopes.”
”[...] my heart-shaped desire [...]”
”You have shown me old insecurities [...] Like my fear of being too visible in case people notice my ordinariness or resent my extraordinariness. Like my belief that I am just too damn vulnerable and too damn weird and too damn honest to be let off my leash in public.”
”[...] I love your soul [...]”
October 31, 2015
An incredible book that took courage to write and is inspiring to read. I would recommend it whether you are faced with the challenge of cancer or not. There are lots of nuggets of things you can do to improve the life you are living and to be honest with yourself. Often these things are there for us to learn from and Sohpie teaches and shares much of what she has found in her journey through life as terminal cancer choice-maker. She chooses not to call it a battle and when you read her book, it is apparent why calling it a battle might not be the way to look at cancer. She connects to the reader in a way that is vulnerable, real, and inspiring.
October 16, 2016
I received this free in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Vey well written, as if talking to a best friend.
Lots of what was said remained with me after I had finished the book, really too many to mention.
"Putting profit before patent care". I have seen this in action, several times.
"Don't become a patient Mrs X."
To say I enjoyed this book would not seem right, but as a frequent hospital visitor, it gave me lots to think about.
Patients have to fight for themselves all the time. You can choose your attitude to any given situation. You have to choose your own way.
Vey well written, as if talking to a best friend.
Lots of what was said remained with me after I had finished the book, really too many to mention.
"Putting profit before patent care". I have seen this in action, several times.
"Don't become a patient Mrs X."
To say I enjoyed this book would not seem right, but as a frequent hospital visitor, it gave me lots to think about.
Patients have to fight for themselves all the time. You can choose your attitude to any given situation. You have to choose your own way.
December 15, 2025
Sophie is a professional woman used to giving seminars to professionals. She uses her skills to write a very practical helpful book for both patients and carers. She includes some very helpful lists of dos and don’ts, for example in visiting a sick person who is immune compromised.
October 21, 2015
Remarkable.
This book is compelling, life affirming and nourishing while at the same time describing real life without any false BS. A person does not have to have cancer to find much to treasure here.
This book is compelling, life affirming and nourishing while at the same time describing real life without any false BS. A person does not have to have cancer to find much to treasure here.
June 29, 2016
Loved her courage. I can relate on so many levels. I wish you well!
December 10, 2016
"A compass to guide you when the road ends and the signs disappear."
Recommended Read for a newly diagnosed cancer patient.
New Cancer Diagnosis?? -
you need to read this book.
Recommended Read for a newly diagnosed cancer patient.
New Cancer Diagnosis?? -
you need to read this book.
December 30, 2016
Intense and poetic
January 9, 2017
A must read for anyone who has cancer or a serious illness. Empowering and uplifting.
April 11, 2017
The title of this book captured my attention, I think mainly because I have siblings who have battled or are battling Cancer, I have lost friends to Cancer, and because I often see the effects of it on the patients I see weekly when I am volunteering at Hospice. This book captured my attention from page 1 and I found it hard to put down.
At 48, Sophie Sabbage was happily married, a mother to a 4 year old daughter and was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer. While everyone has their own cancer story, this is the journey of how she has dealt with the fear, anger, denial and grief of her diagnosis.
*She has a blog: sophiesabbage.com/blog and her most recent entry is from February 2017.
At 48, Sophie Sabbage was happily married, a mother to a 4 year old daughter and was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer. While everyone has their own cancer story, this is the journey of how she has dealt with the fear, anger, denial and grief of her diagnosis.
*She has a blog: sophiesabbage.com/blog and her most recent entry is from February 2017.
April 22, 2017
"From the moment I heard that doctor's words, cancer became my teacher, not my enemy; my healer, not my killer; my awakener, not my destroyer. It is the greatest opportunity I had ever been given to transform the quality of my life."
"I have cancer. Cancer does not have me."
I am a breast cancer survivor. Heartfelt and inspiring, this book provides invaluable advice and insights to managing through the diagnosis. Reading it brought back a lot of the fears and emotions I felt then. Like Sophie, I have chosen to see the illness as an opportunity to transfer the quality of my life and as a result, I have grown so much spiritually and emotionally. This book is definitely a should read for anyone who has cancer or knows someone who does.
"I have cancer. Cancer does not have me."
I am a breast cancer survivor. Heartfelt and inspiring, this book provides invaluable advice and insights to managing through the diagnosis. Reading it brought back a lot of the fears and emotions I felt then. Like Sophie, I have chosen to see the illness as an opportunity to transfer the quality of my life and as a result, I have grown so much spiritually and emotionally. This book is definitely a should read for anyone who has cancer or knows someone who does.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews