Breast Cancer: Start Here: Everything You Need to Know About Integrative Health for the Newly Diagnosed

Thirty days. That’s how much time a woman typically has between when she is diagnosed with breast cancer and when she begins her treatment. There’s a lot to learn in that one short month. What lab tests are necessary - when, and how to interpret them. What treatment options are right for your particular kind of cancer—mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy. What doctors you’ll need—general surgeon, reconstruction surgeon, oncologist—and how you’ll interview them to choose the best ones for your needs. What is the science behind integrative therapies—diet, supplements, exercise, massage—and which ones can give you the most bang for the buck to enhance your outcome? Preparing for your breast cancer treatment can be like completing a whole medical residency in one short month. Julie A. Buckley, MD, a functional medicine specialist, found herself in just this situation when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. She teamed with her breast reconstruction surgeon, Ankit Desai, MD, to find the answers to these questions and more. Together Drs. Buckley and Desai have created the comprehensive guide every newly diagnosed breast cancer patient needs to take control of her cancer treatment and to guide her through the myriad medical, emotional, and lifestyle issues she’ll face. Practical, and brimming with optimism, Buckley and Desai make the cutting edge of breast health science accessible. This book will empower you to knowledgeably and confidently make the decisions that will save—and enhance—your life.