¡Gracias por el mamograma!: para combatir el cáncer con fe, esperanza y una dosis saludable de risa

by Laura Jensen Walker, W.L. Jensen

Infused with strength and dignity, this book will show women confronting the disease of cancer, and those who love them, that faith, hope, and a healthy dose of laughter can make all the difference in the world

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Memoir

151 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Award-winning author Laura Jensen Walker has written several books, including the Lefty nominated historical fiction, DEATH OF A FLYING NIGHTINGALE. Dubbed "riveting and affecting" by NYT bestselling author Susan Elia MacNeal, this book spotlights a group of real-life overlooked women heroes--the Flying Nightingales--from WWII. An Air Force veteran formerly stationed in the UK, Laura had the great honor of interviewing the last living Flying Nightingale, before she passed.

Bibliophile Laura fell in love with mysteries after reading Trixie Belden in the fourth grade, Her cozy mystery debut, MURDER MOST SWEET (2020) was nominated for an Agatha Award, and her next cozy, THE ALPHABET SLEUTHS, releases in Feb. 2026. Publishers Weekly says about the book: "Walker's feisty, funny, and fully realized seniors easily sit beside the casts of THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB and THE MARLOW MURDER CLUB in the coy pantheon. Readers will be charmed."

THE POSTMISTRESS OF PUDDLINGTON, Laura's second historical novel, features women on the home front in WWII England and releases in August 2026. She is currently at work on a women's fiction novel (aka book club fiction.)

Laura flew a typewriter across Europe in Uncle Sam's Air Force in her twenties, and lived in England for three years where she became a lifelong, tea-loving Anglophile. Shenow lives in Northern California with her Renaissance-man husband and their two rescue pups.

Reviews

[Crimson_Silence · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very triggering for me.

[Katy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is published by a Christian press which I didn’t begin to suspect until late in the book when the Christian references seemed to increase. The book is not very funny—but I guess that personal preference. It has an odd tone. The faith stuff seemed to miss the point that this is a real, stressful illness. What is often called spiritual bypass. It didn’t work for me anyway.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won Thanks for the Mammogram by Laura Walker in Good read Giveaway. It was a great book and I highly recommend the book for women preparing as well having their first or regular mammogram. It introduces humor into what can be a scary situation of finding a lump and handling it. Also, the author shares her experience of finding a lump, undergoing a mammogram, being diagnosed with cancer as well as going through the treatments.

It's humbling to read about one person breast cancer experience, but also nice read that it isn't necessarily a death sentence and people deal with life crisis differently. In her case humor helped her as well as family and friends.

I encourage both men and women to read this book

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of vignettes about the author's experience with breast cancer. There is a lot of humor included; I even laughed out loud at one point! A low-key read for anyone wanting to learn more about breast cancer, treatment, and the journey from discovery to survivor. There is good advice for allies and the patient on making it through the day to day of treatment. My favorite chapter is the one where the author lists things she is grateful for -- it's a great list and much of it rang true for me as well!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother just finished chemo and is starting radiation. She has made jokes about some of it. There are similar references during this book. I laughed out loud and called my mother just to talk about it. I loved this book and helped look at the lighter side during a darker time in many people's lives.

[Beth Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A healthy dose of humor and perspective for those who have breast cancer. Thanks Laura Jensen Walker.

[Nina Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read, funny and both made me cry and laugh...helped me get through the end of my phase 2 treatments!

[Marcie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was published in 2000 and the dating was obvious. The most interesting chapter is the one that was written by the author's husband. His take on the helplessness of being a caregiver and the fear that is felt by a spouse who's partner has been diagnosed with a disease, was enlightening.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those "cancer happened to me or someone I loved, so I'll write a book about my insights" books. Nothing really new. At least it's short.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very uplifting book with a good common sense approach to a difficult situation.