One Step at a Time: Getting Through Chemotherapy with Breast Cancer

"I was first drawn to working in oncology while I was a student nurse at St Thomas' Hospital in London. There I met a woman who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and showed such strength and fortitude in the face of her diagnosis that it left a strong impression on me.

"She said that, despite all the information that had been provided by the professionals and the internet, she would love to be able to dip in and out of a book that had useful advice for newly diagnosed patients, based on the experiences of other patients. The idea for this book was born.

"I decided to pursue this and canvassed the opinions of other patients, asking if they felt having such information available in this format would have been beneficial. The response was very positive and so I set about compiling and distributing a questionnaire to both NHS and private patients."

Written by patients to help others learn from their experiences, compiled by Alison Bailey, a Breast Care Specialist Nurse

Alison Bailey is a Breast Care Specialist Nurse at King Edward VII's Hospital, London. She was first drawn to working in oncology while she was a student nurse at St Thomas' Hospital in London. In her early twenties, she travelled to Australia and worked on a haematology and oncology unit. Back in the UK, after completing the oncology course at The Royal Marsden Hospital, Alison started working with patients having chemotherapy. Alison has now worked in this area for 24 years.