Published book
How to Speak Cancer
Kathrin Kunze
Patient voice and health communication
Born from years of standing shoulder to shoulder with patients and their loved ones, How to Speak Cancer is both a guide and a companion for anyone touched by cancer.
Kathrin has seen firsthand how the words surrounding a diagnosis can create distance – or build understanding. In this deeply human book, she helps readers navigate the confusing, often frightening language of cancer with warmth, clarity, and empathy.
Through the use of gentle garden metaphors, real stories, and plain-language explanations, How to Speak Cancer transforms complex terminology into something that feels familiar and kind. Each page is designed to help patients, families, and healthcare communicators find their footing again – to replace fear with knowledge, and isolation with connection.
Inside, readers will find:
- Simple, compassionate explanations of key cancer terms and treatments
- A practical glossary and “term bases” to support communication with healthcare teams
- Honest reflections and lived experiences from patients and caregivers
- A clear introduction to clinical trials – how they work, and what they mean in real life
- Insightful notes for healthcare communicators, translators, and HCPs who wish to connect more deeply with patients
- Hand-drawn illustrations by Kathrin’s daughter that add a touch of tenderness and humanity throughout the book
WHO IS IT FOR
How to Speak Cancer is written for anyone navigating the world of cancer – patients, caregivers, families, and healthcare professionals alike.
It offers reassurance for those feeling lost in medical jargon, guidance for loved ones who want to offer the right kind of support, and inspiration for professionals who wish to communicate with more empathy and understanding.
Why It Matters
After years at the bedside and behind the keyboard, Kathrin knows that words can heal – or harm. A single phrase can either deepen fear or open the door to understanding.
How to Speak Cancer invites readers into a shared language of compassion – where medical information becomes accessible, where communication feels human again, and where no one has to face cancer alone.
Publication Details
How to Speak Cancer was released on 30 September 2025 in paperback and eBook formats. Thoughtfully designed as both a guide and a companion, it’s a book to keep close at hand – before, during, and after conversations that matter most.
Learn more at https://www.kathrinkunze.com/how-to-speak-cancer/
About the Author
Kathrin Kunze is a nurse turned medical communicator, translator, and author who has spent her career walking beside patients—listening, translating, and helping them find meaning in medical words that often feel overwhelming. With decades of experience in hospitals, clinical research, and patient communication, Kathrin brings a unique, human touch to every conversation about illness, healing, and hope.
Her mission is simple yet powerful: to make medical language accessible for all. Whether through her writing, translations, or public speaking, Kathrin bridges the gap between science and compassion—between the language of medicine and the language of care.