A new poetry book has been published to give a voice to those experiencing secondary breast cancer.

"Not Much Rhymes with Cancer" was written by Emily Thomas, who grew up in Penarth and attended Evenlode Primary and Stanwell School.

The book, which was launched on October 22, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, contains "searingly honest, uplifting and sometimes humorous" poems across nine chapters.

The chapters paint a portrait of the experience of getting a stage four diagnosis, the challenges that poses, and how writing poetry provides a way of processing it all.

Mrs Thomas was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at 37, when her son was only four months old, and used her experiences to create an Instagram account to share her thoughts, fears, and hopes.

She described her Instagram account, @notmuchrhymeswithcancer, as "a collection of poems written from diagnosis to present day.

"In parts an outpouring of emotion, a place to vent and expel negative thoughts.

"Mostly, it’s a tale of hope, positivity, and gratitude."

Mrs Thomas found solace and strength through her writing, often using poetry as a means of healing after her stage IV de novo breast cancer diagnosis.

She was an advocate for integrative oncology and embraced a holistic approach to both treatment and emotional wellbeing, which is reflected in her work.

In May 2021, she and fellow poet Tracy Ward launched The Naked Poets, a series of virtual poetry events that created a supportive community for those affected by breast cancer to express themselves through verse.

This initiative grew to include The Naked Poets Write, an online poetry workshop series she co-hosted with friend Sarah Price just before her death in March 2022.

To honour her legacy and ensure her voice continues to resonate, Mrs Thomas' husband Lee, along with her family and close friends, decided to publish Not Much Rhymes With Cancer as a tribute to her courage and creativity.

A portion of the book’s sales will go to Make 2nds Count, a charity dedicated to raising awareness and funding research for secondary breast cancer.

Not Much Rhymes With Cancer is available now through Waterstones, Valley Publishing and WHSmith.