Cancer Confidential: Backstage Dramas in the Radiation Clinic

by Charles Hayter

Each year, almost twenty million people worldwide receive the grim diagnosis of cancer, yet few are prepared for the difficult emotional journey ahead. Shortly after Dr. Charles Hayter graduated as a cancer specialist, his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. As with many doctors, he found that his medical training did not prepare him for the anguish and turmoil he witnessed in himself, his patients, and their loved ones – anguish often worsened by the stigma and shame surrounding cancer and radiation. In Cancer Confidential , Dr. Hayter shares behind-the-scenes stories of people dealing with cancer and death – often through avoidance, denial, and conflict, but also as shining examples of quiet courage, resilience, and humour. The backdrop for the stories is the specialty of radiation oncology. One in three cancer patients will receive radiation therapy, yet it remains a mysterious and often maligned area of medicine. Told in a vivid, dramatic style, Cancer Confidential sheds light on this poorly understood field and reveals intimate stories of individuals and their families in difficult circumstances. It will lend insight, compassion, and support to anyone facing the diagnosis of cancer.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

304 pages, Hardcover

Published October 18, 2022

About the author

Charles Hayter is a physician and award-winning writer based in Toronto, Canada who identifies with the queer and Anglo-Indian communities.
Prior to entering medical school, he studied English and Drama at Queen’s University and obtained a Masters in Drama at the University of Calgary. He received his M.D. from Queen’s University and subsequently trained as a radiation oncologist. He is a former Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto.
Throughout his medical career, Charles put his unconventional background in the humanities to good use. A skilled communicator, he has always taken satisfaction in explaining and demystifying the frightening and confusing world of cancer and radiation treatment to his patients and their families.
He is a former President of the Canadian Society for the History of Medicine. As a medical historian, his many writings and public presentations helped his colleagues and the public understand the origins and background of radiation oncology. His book An Element of Hope (McGill-Queen’s, 2005) received widespread recognition for its trailblazing exploration of radium and cancer treatment, and for providing context for current problems in cancer control.
Throughout his medical career, Charles has continued to write for the theatre. His plays have probed complex human issues in medical practice. In Eldorado Town, early radiation workers struggle with ambivalence about the healing and destructive powers of radiation; in Radical, a female doctor fights against the mutilation of other women with breast cancer; in Lady-in-Waiting, a doctor with a secret life as a drag queen struggles to keep his personal and professional lives from colliding. Lady-in-Waiting won the award for best writing in a solo show at the 2008 Fresh Fruit Festival in New York City.
In 2001 Charles was awarded the John B. Neilson Award by Associated Medical Services, Inc., in recognition of outstanding contributions to medical history. The citation summarizes Charles’ unique skills of combining “wisdom, enthusiasm, gentle wit, and highly skilled use of drama and literature in his various presentations.”

Reviews

[MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book as I've started radiation and wanted something that would help mitigate the fear factor. This maybe wasn't the book for that, as the author in the name of storytelling, mostly focusing on the stuff that went wrong, the side effects that unfortunately happened. I had to stop reading for a bit and remind myself this isn't a prescription for me.

The book is well written, the stories put on the skeleton of his father dying of cancer. We get a glimpse of the various types of patients and cancers and it did help me understand a lot more what radiation oncologists do and what they see. The writing is really good and I realize that I probably crossed paths with the author during the 2014 Toronto Fringe, when he had a play in and I was doing my usual full-on fringing. Love the discussion at the end about the health care system discourages doctors spending time with patients. This is an important issue.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although cancer is a subject many of us shy away from, Cancer Confidential brings an intriguing perspective to how both patients and physicians are living with it daily. I was a bit hesitant to read this book given how many of my loved ones have died from cancer over the past few years, but I’m glad I did. The different stories woven throughout showed me both the hopelessness and hope of this disease and the humanity amongst them all. The author has a rare talent for explaining complicated medical procedures and history that is both understandable and interesting. I really loved the parallels between medicine and the stage as well the interweaving of patient stories with his own father’s cancer journey. Both educational and entertaining.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Dad was diagnosed with cancer 6 months before he passed away. 7 years before the cancer diagnosis, he had 80% of his intestines removed. The then-doctor did not tell us that he had cancer cells at that time, which resulted in his cancer cells metastasizing into his eventual untreatable Stage IV esophagus cancer. No one told us what his cancer journey would be like. He rejected radiation, chemotherapy, and any other treatment that could save him. He passed away in December 2010.

Charles Hayter is an excellent writer, physician, and actor. He combined all his life roles as a writer, physician, actor, son, and partner into this well-written book, and opened up a new world to many who either suffered from terrible cancer or have loved ones suffering from it. He showed me another perspective of how cancer affects the doctor, the patient, and the patient's loved ones in a light-hearted manner. I wish I had this book back in 2010, which would help guide us through my Dad's cancer journey, and make it easier for him during his final days. This book is not purely about the scientific stuff that most physicians would delve into, but rather the emotional, physical, and psychological perspectives too. A must-read for all who are currently in contact with cancer as either a physician, a patient, or a loved one, but also a must-read for all who need a book with several touching stories in their hands in this upcoming cold winter.

[David Payne]

This is an interesting and insightful account of life, and death, in the radiation oncology clinics of cancer centres in Canada. It is framed in the context of the author’s career and his personal story, including his own father’s struggle with cancer. The writing is strong, clear and imaginative.
It is filled with anecdotes of real patients, with real concerns and fears, in the unfamiliar world of doctors, cancer, and “radiation”. These and other concerns and dilemmas confront the physicians and other members of the caregiving team. Dr Hayter presents these in a sensitive manner, that illustrates the importance of empathy, honesty and ultimately trust in relations between patient and caregiver. Along the way he portrays the technical aspects of radiation therapy, and how they have involved during the period of his career (and of mine, in the same field).
A valuable book for any person or family confronting cancer, or indeed for the general reader with an interest in the human condition.

[Kim Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do enjoy a good medical drama. When I initially started reading this book I nearly stopped. My husband found a melanoma that needed to be surgically removed along with a lymph node…. it just felt a little to real to be reading about cancer. However I did read on and I’m so glad I did. Yes the book is real and raw. And in that vulnerability I found hope. Charles shared about his own struggles within the medical world and also within his family world. Journeying with patients and their loved ones struggling to come to terms with a disease that can and does kill hi-lighted his own personal struggles to communicate with them and his own family. The result of a long road and honest soul searching brought the author to a place of genuine authenticity. This authenticity is gold. It’s what makes us human it’s what brings us together and it gives us compassion for others but more importantly for self.

[Graham Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Dr. Charles Hayter offers a wealth of profound medical insight and compassion, drawing from both his professional career as a radiation oncologist and his personal journey. This is a book about people, and the theme of humanity prevails throughout as he tells a story that captures the many faces of cancer and medicine, which readers will find both theatrically captivating and emotionally moving. Each chapter sheds light on the development of his thoughts on radiation therapy through character vignettes set against the backdrop of his father's confrontation with cancer. I found myself thoroughly engaged with these stories, and I believe readers from all backgrounds will be as well. Those with an interest in cancer or whose lives have been affected by it are sure to find something meaningful in this book.

[Jackie Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Author writes about his many years as a cancer specialist and through case histories he shows the personalities and vulnerabilities of his own humanity and the relentless, daunting workload. There is a poignancy when his own father (also a doctor) becomes ill with cancer and the revelation of their troubled relationship gives this book a depth, an honesty and understanding, with a refreshing candour of the doctor/patient emotional/professional working bond. The chapter titles too give pause for thought. We meet 'The Disobedient Patient', 'The Confused Patient'. Hayter has a gift for vivid storytelling . It was a great privilege to read this book and to be invited,with confidentiality into hospital cancer treatment rooms.

[Bev Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to this book with a cancer-caretaker story of my own, and, still I learned a great deal more about the disease. At the same time this book is not only about cancer. Author Charles Hayter's memoir interweaves his own personal narrative with stories of his patients. We meet him at the cusp of medical school and over time, we see what he learns from his patients. Written with sensitivity and grace, Hayter's stories show the messiness of hope, grief loss and fear alongside medical science and a doctor's determination. Beautifully written, Cancer Confidential, is an uplifting book that intrigues from start to finish.

[Cate McKim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part professional anecdote, part personal memoir, Cancer Confidential takes us on a Canadian radiation oncologist’s journey, an often misunderstood medical career. Shifting in a non-linear way from scenes as a med student, to responding to patients and colleagues as a seasoned practitioner, to navigating the dynamics with his parents during his late (doctor) father’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, the moments come alive with humour and poignancy. Written as a story, including the joy and pain, and the sheer drama of it all, Charles Hayter, MD’s book makes for a highly accessible and compelling read.

[Sandi Kleinman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind the dark and mysterious cloak of cancer, there is much we don't know or talk about. Dr. Hayter beautifully pens a story that shares the art, science, history and humanity of the Radiation Clinic, while also sharing his own memoir. This book is not just about cancer. It is about the stories of the humans who are touched by cancer--the patients, their health care professionals and their families. It is deeply personal and still very professional. Informative and interesting.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fascinating memoir looks at the life of a radiation oncologist.

Interwoven with the story of his physician father’s battle with prostate cancer are tales (composites, really) of various patients he has treated over the course of his career.

As a Canadian, I enjoyed reading about health care in Canada. 🙂

[Beth Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, honest, thoughtful, beautifully written, with fascinating medical details combined with a very personal chronicle of the doctor's life. It takes us backstage at cancer clinics, helping us understand what's at stake and the politics of various treatments. I feel well equipped to know what’s going on if I ever have to go on that journey myself. Thank you to Dr. Hashay! Well done.

[Victoria Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This remarkable book draws upon the authors, medical expertise and his theatrical training. The notion of death as a living being is very effective. The stories of the patients are moving, and the doctor’s honesty is compelling.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read written by a highly insightful reflective physician. Got an insight into life as a radiation oncologist but more significantly on how to be an authentic compassionate human being and embrace life wholly.

[Jan Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, compelling and evocative. Cancer Confidential is a must-read.

[Elizabeth Verwey · Rating 5 out of 5]

His writing style is so personal and these stories are powerful and touching. I'm so grateful that he wrote this book!