Cellmates: Our Lessons in Cancer, Life, Love and Loss: Rose Clark

Compassion, or lack of it, in health care has been prominent in the news recently. This short book puts compassion under the microscope. It is a searingly honest, compelling account of a man dying from cancer, written by his partner under his instructions, and based on a stash of her letters and notes that he had found and which had given her comfort to write. It gives a harrowing description of his, and their, battle with aggressive disease and the thread through it is of a love story with raw emotions laid bare; frustration, anger, love and, at times, laughter.

It makes valuable, and sometimes difficult, reading for doctors about what really matters to people facing such a challenge. The ‘repeating nightmare’ of the treatments and operations is graphic and the intensity of the pain is vivid and awful. It is not always controllable, or controlled. The doctors are not always caring and kind. Many are, and the Edinburgh oncologist who communicates with compassion and candour is hugely appreciated. He is quoted in the introduction,’Reading the book has helped reinforce some of the reasons why doctors such as myself do the job ... it can make a difference to people’s lives’.

One of the aims of Rose Clark, the author, was to encourage people in similar situations to seek help earlier, to trust that there are services out there who understand and can offer real support. Maggie’s Centre proved invaluable. As the head of Maggie’s Centre, Dr Elspeth Salter, says, ‘This book should be on the reading list for all those involved in cancer care’.

The unrelenting progression of the disease and the intensity of the suffering may engender unease and apprehension in the reader. The couple’s response to it arouses, more strongly, respect and admiration for the human spirit.

• © British Journal of General Practice 2013