Cryoablation for Breast Cancer

In 2019, I had cyroablation for my invasive ductal breast cancer. The 45-minute procedure was performed at City of Hope, one of the many facilities that took part in the FROST trial conducted by lead investigator Dennis Holmes, MD. The goal of the trial was to determine if this minimally invasive procedure, which freezes the… Read more »

Managing Menopausal Symptoms in Cancer Survivorship

Managing menopausal side effects is more important than ever, as it affects the quality of life in cancer “thrivership.”  Many women and men face years of side effects from cancer treatment resulting from the surgical removal of ovaries and hormone deprivation therapy (tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, etc.) in hormone receptor-positive cancers such as breast, endometrial, ovarian… Read more »

Medicine and breast cancer concept, Woman with pink cancer ribbon

Breast Health Pandemic Survival Guide

The world is now abuzz with news about coronavirus (COVID-19), the viral disease that has taken us all by storm. The global response has been extreme with most things cancelled or postponed and the disruption to everyday life is unprecedented.  Whether or not the current global response is an appropriate action or an overreaction is… Read more »

Breast Cancer Support Groups

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and, according to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 29,360 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in California this year alone. For many people, the diagnosis of cancer causes severe emotional distress. Each of us has our own personality, beliefs, values, world views, and styles of coping… Read more »

When Mammography is Not Enough

I always fill out the forms quickly in the doctor’s waiting room. Do you have a history— No. Have you ever— No. I didn’t have a family history of breast cancer or any cancer. But a year ago this past December, my mother was diagnosed and ended up receiving a double mastectomy. The key is… Read more »

Integrative Cancer Therapies to Support Breast Cancer Treatment

“Cancer does not grow too much; it dies too little,” states Robert Nagourney, MD.   You can think about cancer cells as normal cells becoming immortal. Apoptosis is the process in which normal functioning cells are programmed to die. In cancer cells, this mechanism is over-ridden so the cell malfunctions and continues to grow, thus… Read more »