Dr Gillian Shirreffs – who has already raised over £30,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity with her debut novel Brodie –has launched a powerful new book designed to spark open, honest conversations about cancer

Elephant was launched at the Bookface Sip & Swap in Saints of Ingram in Glasgow on Saturday 25th October, and held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. BBC Scotland’s Pauline McLean generously gave her time and expertise to interview Dr Shirreffs.

Dr Shirreffs with Bookcase founder, Heather Suttie

The Bookface community raised another £2,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity while Gillian introduced her second book, Elephant — a raw, funny and deeply human account of illness, identity and resilience. The book’s title comes from a truth few like to face: one in two of us will get cancer, yet it too often remains the elephant in the room.

Over 800 days, Gillian recorded her own emails, messages, tweets and photographs while living with an aggressive breast cancer — all as her debut novel Brodie became a bestseller and fundraising success for Beatson.

Dr Gillian Shirreffs said: “Unlike a traditional memoir, Elephant was written in real time, showing the chaos, absurdity and flashes of clarity that come when life tilts. It asks readers — and workplaces — to talk more openly about illness, empathy and resilience.”

Bookface founder Heather Suttie said: “Gillian’s debut Brodie became a bestseller, and it is brilliant and bold – just like this new book, which is a kind and considerate gift for anyone facing a cancer diagnosis.”

Elephant by Dr Gillian Shirreffs is available now via intocreative.co.uk/shop/intobooks/elephant-gillian-shirreffs/