Big J vs the Big C, The

Issues, Experiences and Poems in the Battle Against Breast Cancer Poet, author and activist Janine Booth was part of the ranting poetry movement in the eighties, 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 and enthralling journal extracts, poetry, meticulous research and substantive politics, Janine details her journey from detection and diagnosis, through surgery, to ‘getting over it’. “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 “I picked up this book expecting to be educated, entertained and amused. I put it down having ticked all of those boxes. The NHS is quite literally the best thing there is in the entire world. We must never stop fighting for it.” – Kate Smurthwaite, comedian & activist “A veritable paean to our (still free) National Health Service. Together with the added bonus of some fascinating political background and an insider’s guide to terms. With poetry!” – Rhoda Dakar, songwriter, musician & activist “Open, honest, entertaining, informative, but most of all a bloody good read! This book has a real twist of knowledge, with Janine’s personal story and some very interesting facts. I really enjoyed this, and I’m sure everyone who reads it will get something from it.” – Michelle Rodgers, RMT National President “I share many things with Janine – a long term friendship, politics, poetry and, yes, a cancer diagnosis. Her words encourage and motivate, and her optimism and energy in the face of adversity is an inspiration. Buy this!” – Attila the Stockbroker, poet & musician “Janine’s openness, humour and honesty, combined with her poetic sensibility, leads us by the hand through her experience with cancer. Although her manner is often matter of fact, the effect at times is to leave us breathless on her behalf and on behalf of all women facing such a challenge.” – Henry Normal, poet, writer & producer Janine Booth is a Marxist, trade unionist, Labour Party member, socialist-feminist, supporter of Workers’ Liberty, autistic, bi, author, poet, disaffected middle-aged woman and Peterborough United fan. She works on London Underground and 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.