A CANCER survivor who believes laughter is the best medicine is compiling a book to put a smile on the face of patients.

Sue Atkinson, 53, of High Pittington, near Durham City, found it could be despondent to find little more than literature about cancer in waiting rooms – so decided to write Smiles from the Waiting Room.

Mrs Atkinson, who was diagnosed with the disease 12 years ago, said: “I found it could be quite miserable in waiting rooms sometimes, because the only literature many have is information on cancer.

“I thought maybe it would be nice to do something to brighten people’s lives, so decided to produce this booklet.”

Mrs Atkinson has set up a Facebook page and is inviting contributions from anyone who may have anecdotes to share.

She said: “I am looking for any funny episodes, experiences, annoyances, and anecdotes related to hospital wards, doctors waiting rooms, dentists and surgeries.

“I have lots of funny stories to tell through my years of hospital and doctors's appointments and I'm hoping others will have too.

“If the book if successful, I'm hoping it will be available in waiting rooms to take for a small contribution to Cancer Research UK.”

The project comes in the wake of the success of the song Take My Hand, written by Mrs Atkinson and performed with her friend Martyn Banks.

The duo 2sum raised £3,266 for Cancer Research UK, to be used for brain cancer research.

Mrs Atkinson took early retirement from her job former primary school teacher on medical grounds.

She had been through several sets of chemotherapy, undergone various procedures and had three big operations, including successful brain surgery last year.

Mrs Atkinson said: “I have recently undergone a course of chemotherapy. I am a project person. It keeps me busy.”

Anyone with anything to contribute is invited to post their ideas either on the page or in its message box.

She said: “I'll take the ideas I can use and include them in the book. I won't be mentioning any names of doctors or hospitals for obvious reasons.”

Anyone who contributes can choose to have their name mentioned in the acknowledgements.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/SmilesFromTheWaitingRoom