The story of the revolution in breast cancer medicine, from a pioneering doctor whose specialist expertise, ground-breaking research and compassionate approach has extended (and saved) thousands of lives over the last 50 years.

In the 1970s, a breast cancer diagnosis was a bleak sentence. Over 60 per cent of women died from the disease; life-altering surgery by mostly male doctors was the near-universal treatment and cancer medicine was still in its infancy. Today, that fatality rate has more than halved, as the past has given way to an age of cutting-edge personalised therapy, spearheaded by as many female pioneers as male.

In his moving and eye-opening memoir, breast cancer specialist Professor Ian E Smith tells this remarkable story, tracing 50 years of medical evolution in step with his own journey from fledgling junior doctor to oncologist at world-renowned cancer centre The Royal Marsden. Sharing poignant tales of the patients who put their lives in his hands, he illuminates the nature of the disease and the scientific leaps that turned the tide – from the discovery of targeted therapies to the next-generation drugs in development today. With deep compassion and gentle humour, he pays tribute to the patients whose courage and resilience left an indelible mark on him and paved the way for better care.

At once a compelling exploration of medical breakthroughs and a candid insight into the challenges of treating breast cancer, Doctor, I’ve Found a Lump is a celebration of progress and a testament to the enduring power of hope.

Professor Ian E Smith trained in Edinburgh and at Harvard before coming to work at The Royal Marsden where he spent many years specialising in the medical treatment of breast cancer as well as lung cancer.

His main interests are in the development of new treatments for breast cancer, particularly in its early stages, and he pioneered the use of pre-operative medical treatment before surgery for large breast cancers.

He is a past Chairman of the Association of Cancer Physicians and of the UK National Cancer Research Institute Lung Cancer Group. He is on the steering committees of several major international clinical research trials and has been closely involved in the development of Herceptin for early breast cancer. He has published over 350 research papers, and lectures widely around the world. Honours include the Susan G Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction and the William McGuire Memorial Lecture Award.

© 2026 Professor Ian E Smith (P) 2026 DK Audio