“Some people say that the term ‘fighting cancer’ is too aggressive. But I did not go looking for this fight. Cancer started it. If I was fighting cancer, then it was only because cancer picked a fight with me. I plead self-defence.” Poet, author and activist Janine Booth was part of the ranting poetry movement in the ‘80s, performing as ‘The Big J’. In late 2016, she discovered a strange indentation in her right breast and was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer. In this collection of candid journal extracts, poetry, meticulous research and substantive politics, Janine details her journey from detection and diagnosis, through surgery, to ‘getting over it’. Includes a Foreword by poet and activist Kate Smurthwaite. “This book is a must for all health care workers – doctors, nurses, students, caterers, cleaners, porters – the team needed by patients facing The Big C.” – Dr Coral Jones, GP & Chair Hackney South and Shoreditch Labour Party “A veritable paean to our (still free) NHS. Together with the added bonus of some fascinating political background and an insider’s guide to terms. With poetry!” – Rhoda Dakar, songwriter, musician & activist “Janine’s openness, humour and honesty, combined with her poetic sensibility, leads us by the hand through her experience with cancer … to leave us breathless on her behalf and on behalf of all women facing such a challenge.” – Henry Normal, poet, writer, TV & film producer “Full of clarity, worry, humour, explanations about how capitalism hampers medical practice and love, praise and commitment to the NHS. It demystifies and humanises the cancer experience and inspires and entertains the reader.” – Morning Star

“You get an overall sense of strength and fierce determination to face this life-changing disease head on, to make the best of every situation, and draw as much humour and creativity from it as possible, whilst maintaining a righteous fury at the damage done to the NHS. Hand on heart, this is one of the best books I have read this year, I would urge everyone to buy a copy, for themselves, a friend, or a family member. Let’s start talking about cancer, and stop hiding it away." Laura Taylor – Write Out Loud

Janine Booth is a Marxist, trade unionist, Labour Party member, socialist-feminist, supporter of Workers’ Liberty, autistic, bi, author, poet, disaffected middle-aged woman. She lives in Hackney and works on the London Underground, where she is active in the RMT trade union, having previously represented its London Transport members on the union’s National Executive. Janine is Chair of the union’s Disabled Members’ Advisory Committee and a member of the TUC Disabled Workers’ Committee. She writes and delivers trade union training, particularly on equalities issues, and speaks widely on socialist politics, history, disabled people’s rights, autism and neurodiversity.