Doctors Get Cancer Too: A Doctor's Diary of Life and Recovery From Cancer

by Philippa Kaye

“It’s cancer.” Dr Philippa Kaye was 39 years old when she heard those dreaded words. The diagnosis of bowel cancer would change her life and mean crossing the divide from being a doctor to being a patient. She soon discovered that her years of training and experience had not prepared her for the realities of actually living with cancer. 'Doctors Get Cancer Too' tells Dr Kaye’s moving story of being on both sides of the desk, and shares the insights she gained not only through the diagnosis and treatment but in surviving and thriving through cancer and beyond. Filled with practical advice, this book aims to make patients and their loved ones feel better understood, more prepared and less alone, and to provide solace for anyone navigating their way through hard times.

Genres: Nonfiction, Medical

321 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2021

Reviews

[Colin Garrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 39, Dr Philippa Kaye knew her life would be changed. Charting her progress from diagnosis to recovery, this book takes the lid off a dreadful disease and its implications for the person concerned, their families and friends.

In many ways, this is a fascinating and very readable book – it not only allows us to see a side to bowel cancer that most of us know nothing about, but the author shares the knowledge gained from being on both sides of the fence. Written as a diary, Philippa Kaye leaves nothing out, writing about all those things we take for granted but that are thrown to the wind because of a disease. For anyone facing surgery or who knows someone with cancer, this book will be an enormous help, giving reassurance and practical advice without the jargon that can put up fences between doctors and patients.

Having said that, I’m amazed the author’s editor didn’t tell her about the exclamation marks – peppering the manuscript in the way a 10-year-old might, they make her writing sound amateurish, which it really isn’t. I know I’m probably in the minority here, but the feeling that the author is shouting out her sentences is distracting and irritating. A bit of sensible editing would have made this a much better book.

[Eleanor Shore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Dr Kaye’s diary of her journey with colorectal cancer, showing us the highs and lows of being a 39 year old and undergoing major abdominal surgery!

This book took me a surprisingly long time to finish and I only read it in chunks of about 10-20 pages. Nevertheless, I learnt a lot from this book. As a clinician myself, I do find oncology (cancer) patients in my care on the cardiac ward, and I felt like I never truly understood what the reality of cancer is. Dr Kaye does a wonderful job of showing us her actual diary of the highs and the lows of cancer for us outsiders. I’ve come out of reading this book a much better clinician when it comes to how I will approach my oncology patients in the future. I think this would be good insight for anyone even if you’re not medical, it’s not a humour filled book like Adam Kay’s book (a must read if you haven’t already) but I finish it with so much emotion, it was a truly wonderful read!

4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ruth Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a few diaries of cancer patients.
This is a day by day account, so good for details of what happens when and where, and how you feel at the time, rather than looking back and reflecting on it. I thought I would like the day by day account and was surprised that I found it a bit mundane. But maybe that was because I have been through some of that stuff too.
This book would be really helpful for someone who has been diagnosed with bowel cancer and wants an honest warts and all account of what is going to happen to them.
For me, I'm glad I was in the dark.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wasn't the easiest of reads - I won myself a copy of this book and another copy for a friend. The friend I chose was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer last year so whilst I was reading I was thinking of her. I hope she found the book useful and/or informative as she herself is a nurse.

[Joselyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was quite emotional- even though at times it seemed as if she kept repeating herself, it shows her struggle quite clearly. It is very insightful and it will definitely change the way i perceive people who have cancer, and how to talk to them. Thank you, Dr Philippa

[Lindsey Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an honest and open book written by a doctor diagnosed with cancer. I believe this would have been cathartic for the author to write and gives us a tiny insight into what it must have been like during diagnosis and treatment.

[Csilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of useful information and tips.

[Jack Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read from a woman who sits on both sides. Doctor and patient.

[T.A. Rosewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very frank and unique diary from a doctor's point of view on cancer. Through the diagnosis, treatment, and her own way of coping, it's very heartwarming and touching to read.