Free E-Book Helps Patients with Cancer Set Their Sights on Constructive, Attainable Goals

Dr. Wendy S. Harpham has long been committed to helping patients with cancer find hope that is realistic and achievable — or, as she describes it, healing hope.

Now, the physician, 30-year survivor of multiple recurrences of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and author has written an e-book, “Finding Hope That Heals,” that is available for free on the website of the National Breast Cancer Foundation at tinyurl.com/FindHopeNBCF.

In the book, Harpham, who is also a member of CURE®’s advisory board, goes beyond the usual encouragement to “have hope” by offering practical guidance on how to find and nourish hopes that are constructive, which can help to improve quality of life.

“America’s millions of breast-cancer survivors want and need hope. Not just any hope, but healing hope — namely hope that helps them live their best life,” she said.

In “Finding Hope That Heals,” Harpham encourages patients and their caregivers to think and talk about hope in ways that help them make wise decisions, take effective action and live with uncertainty. It presents a series of exercises that can help patients reflect on their hopes, let go of the ones that are leading them astray and find others that help them through and beyond breast cancer.

“Hope is central to getting good care and living as fully as possible,” Harpham explains. “After decades of sharing insights and aphorisms in my lectures and one-on-one communications all over the world, I’m convinced that people are ready to think and talk about hope in new ways.”

On its website, the foundation, which provides early detection, education and support services to those affected by breast cancer, explains its goal in sharing the book.

“The mission of NBCF revolves around hope. We want to change the conversation that often ends with a rallying cry to “Have hope!” Instead, we want that to start a new conversation about which hopes can help you today, how to nurture them, and how to let go of those that might harm,” the website states. “We’re honored that Dr. Harpham created this exciting e-book with us.”