The Very Helpful Cancer Journal

The Very Helpful Cancer Journal helps women navigating cancer make sense of what is happening, process complex emotions and communicate what they need to the people around them. Filled with personal stories, helpful information, reflection prompts and creative exercises, it supports the life that happens beyond appointments—and makes space for understanding, agency and joy.

$59.95

Created from lived experience

I have been through, and am still on, a cancer journey. Finding positive, practical support through an extremely overwhelming and at times traumatic experience was hard. When I could not find the kind of help I needed, I began creating it for myself.

The result is The Very Helpful Cancer Journal: a source of personal experience, helpful information, inspiration and creativity for women living with cancer and the people who love them. It offers a place to unload, reset, think, feel and have some ‘you’ time; to document highs and lows, celebrate milestones and grieve losses and changes.

It helps you understand yourself, find words for what you are experiencing and communicate with family and friends. It is grounded in reality while remaining positive, creative and, importantly, fun.

_

Who it’s for

The Very Helpful Cancer Journal is for women navigating every stage of cancer: the shock of diagnosis, treatment, post-treatment recovery or living with cancer longer-term. Whatever the cancer type, prognosis or treatment pathway, the journal meets you as a whole person, not a diagnosis.

Although it is not written directly for carers, family or friends, they may also benefit from working through a copy. It can help them better understand what their loved one is experiencing and open more honest, useful conversations about support.

_

What’s inside

This is your go-to for practical guidance and creative reflection throughout challenge and change. Inside you will find:

  • Personal stories and lived experience
  • Practical information and resources
  • Reflection prompts and creative exercises
  • Activities for documenting and planning your journey
  • Meditation and breathing practices
  • Support for bad days, really bad days and scanxiety
  • Accessible explanations of relevant ideas, including ‘neuroscience for dummies’

Ways to understand and communicate what you are thinking and feeling

_

Why it is very helpful

This is not a diary for medical appointments. It is not a blank journal filled with inspirational quotes and pages asking you to write about where your life is at. Right now, you may need more than a place to write. You may need information, process guidance and understanding.

There is extensive support available to explain the medical side of cancer. This journal is not a medical reference, although it touches on many relevant issues. It is for you and your life beyond appointments. You have cancer; you are not defined by it.

The journal brings together relatable personal stories, guided reflection, creativity and practical tools to help you understand your experience, connect with the people around you and create a way forward.

_

How to use your journal

There are two ways to use The Very Helpful Cancer Journal. You may begin at the beginning and work through each phase as your journey unfolds. If that feels right, wonderful.

You can also dip in and out, take what you need, do what you want and move backwards or forwards depending on your mood, energy and readiness. No artistic ability is required, and activities can be adapted or skipped according to your capacity.

It is your journal. You will know what feels right for you. Remember: there are no shoulds with cancer.