A Holywood woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer has published a guide for patients facing treatment decisions. Christina Wilhelm, who lives in County Down, wrote "It's Breast Cancer: Now What? The Missing Manual for Informed Decisions, Return to Work and Long-Term Recovery".

Wilhelm followed alternative medicine for nearly a decade before her diagnosis, believing a healthy lifestyle would prevent serious illness. After developing breast cancer, she tried natural protocols, then turned to conventional treatment when those methods stopped working.

She says her experience exposed gaps in how medical information is presented. Patients may be told a treatment cuts risk by 50 percent, but without absolute figures, they cannot judge the actual benefit. A reduction from 50 percent to 25 percent is different from a reduction from 2 percent to 1 percent.

The book aims to explain cancer biology in accessible language and help patients evaluate claims from doctors, alternative practitioners and online sources. It also addresses fear of recurrence, long-term drug side effects, psychological impacts and returning to work.

Wilhelm also writes about the period after active treatment ends, when hospital appointments stop and patients may struggle to adjust. She says many women report finishing treatment without enough information or ongoing support.

The guide critiques the strongly positive culture around breast cancer, arguing that pink ribbons and survivor stories can obscure the difficult experiences of patients who remain unwell or afraid. Wilhelm argues that a signature on a consent form is not enough if the patient does not understand benefits, risks and alternatives.