A cancer survivor is celebrating following the success of her first book about how to cope with the illness.

Nicola Bourne, 35, of Cornwall Road, Harpenden, was inspired to write a book following her near-fatal experience with advanced colorectal cancer in 2012 and 2013.

The book, The Fabulous Woman’s Guide Through Cancer, flew straight to the Amazon Kindle top 15 books when it launched last month and it remains in the top 50 today.

The non-fiction title shares tips, stories, information and ideas to help women through the illness.

Nicola, a mum of two, said: “I want The Fabulous Woman’s Guide Through Cancer to be a resource for anyone needing some reassurance and inspiration, so that no woman would feel alone like I did.

“When I was diagnosed with cancer, I found cancer books either very medical or memoirs, nothing that answered the lifestyle questions that I had such as how to talk to children or how to help with the emotional side of the illness.

“I want the book to be inspirational but also an honest representation and a practical help and guide to those affected.”

It features post-operation styling, ideas to stay social when ill, how to deal with doctors, ways to keep spirits lifted and what to do when depression takes hold.

Since having cancer Nicola has built a strong social media following with her honest blog posts about life with and after the illness, as well as living life to the full with a colostomy bag.

She currently attends the University of Hertfordshire reading English Literature and Creative Writing, after returning to study following her illness. She writes for a number of publications on women’s health, cancer and living with an ostomy.