Being Patient
Close Encounters in Cancer World

Na'ama Carlin (Author), Louise Chappell (Author), Siobhan O'Sullivan (Author)

9781742237916

Paperback / softback, published 31 July 2026

208 pages
23.4 x 15.3 x 1.2 cm, 0.264 kg

‘Deeply humane and quietly transformative’ – Professor Ophira Ginsburg, Chair of the Lancet Commission on Women, Power and Cancer

'You don’t need to be a goody two-shoes if you’re receiving cancer care. In fact, as this uniquely insightful book will tell you, among many other things, it sometimes helps if you aren’t.’ – Norman Swan

Na’ama Carlin, Louise Chappell and Siobhan O’Sullivan all received the diagnosis people dread – cancer. Working in universities, these three women knew how to speak up. But in Cancer World, their voices were often unheard. As they negotiated medical hierarchies, ‘scanxiety’, gender bias, ongoing treatments and confronting diagnoses, they met others who felt the same. In Being Patient, Na’ama, Louise and Siobhan share their own stories and talk to people about their experiences as patients and carers in Cancer World. Including stories from cancer experts – nurses, surgeons, radiologists, oncologists and researchers – Being Patient is unflinching and uplifting and offers unvarnished views of living with cancer from ‘both sides of the desk’.