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Amy Comander MD, FACLM, DipABLM

@dramycomander

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Breast oncologist,
Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute & Harvard Medical School
Oncology, Lifestyle Medicine, & Women’s Health, MSCP
#CarpeDiem

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I’m THRILLED to announce some exciting news: a new book! Since launching the PAVING the Path to Wellness program for breast cancer survivors in 2019, we recognized the need for a comprehensive resource tailored for breast cancer survivors and thrivers. This book delivers just that. Sharing the description below! You can be among the first to reserve your copy at HealthyLearning.com. Use preorder code 25PAVINGBC for a special discount. All proceeds from the sales go to our nonprofit @paving.wellness.

You have breast cancer. Now what?

Confusion, fear, and a tidal wave of conflicting advice can hit before, during, and after the first treatment begins. How can I optimize my health, and importantly my well-being and quality of life along the way? Am I missing out if I don’t take supplements or start a special diet? When is it safe to start exercising? What and who is going to help me get through this? And who can you really trust with the answers to these questions?

In PAVING Your Path Through Breast Cancer & Beyond, Evidence-Based Lifestyle Medicine Tools for Cancer Survivorship, you get up-front access to a program normally taught at a top cancer center by one of the nation’s most experienced and effective teams of lifestyle medicine experts. Drawing on decades of clinical experience & the latest research, Drs. Comander, Frates, and Tollefson cut through the noise & deliver honest, science-backed answers based on evidence-based tools from lifestyle medicine that have been shown to enhance cancer survivorship. They share not only the tools, but concrete action plans, to help you move from merely surviving to fully thriving after a diagnosis of breast cancer.

In PAVING Your Path Through Breast Cancer and Beyond, you’ll discover a clear roadmap to renewal and resilience- a practical, step-by-step guide to help you move, eat, rest, and think in ways that restore strength and vitality, delivering hope at every turn.

Throughout the book, inspiring survivor stories offer candid reflections and hard-won wisdom, showing exactly how others have reclaimed purpose, joy, and confidence after breast cancer treatment.

I can’t wait to share our book!
#PAVING #BreastCancer by @dramycomander

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a year ago

The 2nd edition of the PAVING the Path to Wellness Manual and Workbook is available NOW‼️

I am honored to work with @bethfrates.md and @drmtollefson on this revised edition!

You can pre-order our book through the publisher on Healthy Learning’s website here:
https://healthylearning.com/

Use 25PAVING2 for a 25% discount.

You can also pre-order on Amazon.

The revised edition is beautiful with color images and photos. We have updated information based on the latest science. We focus on making the adoption of health lifestyle behaviors accessible, and most importantly, FUN‼️
@paving.wellness
#LifestyleMedicine #PAVING #NewBook by @dramycomander

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a year ago

🎉 Big news: I received a package from our publisher, and I am so excited to share with you our 2 new books! 📚

✨PAVING Your Path Through Breast Cancer and Beyond: Evidence-Based Lifestyle Medicine Tools for Cancer Survivorship

Inspired by the PAVING the Path to Wellness program for breast cancer survivors and thrivers, this book provides breast cancer survivors and thrivers with science-backed strategies- and actionable plans- to move from merely surviving to thriving after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive resource that demonstrates how evidence-based tools from lifestyle medicine enhance cancer survivorship. In the words of a PAVING graduate, “I recommend PAVING to all breast cancer survivors and think the program should be offered to every cancer patient. I am stronger and happier because of this program.”

✨PAVING the Path to Wellness Manual & Workbook: A Guide to Thriving With a Healthy Body, Peaceful Mind, and Joyful Heart. 2nd Edition

Now updated and in color, the 2nd edition of the original PAVING workbook shares the latest science and actionable strategies for improving health and well-being. The book details 12 specific steps- involving the body, mind, and spirit- which collectively empower individuals to achieve their goals of enjoying a happier and healthier life.

These are two amazing resources and it’s so exciting to share them! In the words of the ancient Roman poet Virgil, “The greatest wealth is health.”

✨You can pre-order our books at our publisher’s site, HealthyLearning.com
• Use 25PAVINGBC for 25 % off the breast cancer PAVING workbook
• Use 25PAVING2 for 25 % off the 2nd-edition PAVING workbook

Your purchase supports our nonprofit @pavingwellness, so we can expand the reach of this transformative program!
@paving.wellness
#NewBooks #PAVING #LifestyleMedicine #EvidenceBased #BreastCancerSurvivorship #BreastCancer #YourGreatestWealthIsHealth by @dramycomander

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a year ago

Breast Cancer ACTION Month

Day 4: Defining Survivorship

In my breast oncology clinic, my patients often ask me: “Am I a cancer survivor?”

The term “survivor” can feel vague, or even unsettling, for many people. Words matter. Some prefer to say “I have a diagnosis of cancer” or “I am a thriver,” and those living with metastatic breast cancer often call themselves “metavivors.” When I give talks, I share the National Cancer Institute’s definition, which offers a comprehensive view of what it means to be a cancer survivor. It’s also the definition we share in our book, *PAVING Your Path Through Breast Cancer and Beyond: Evidence-Based Lifestyle Medicine Tools for Cancer Survivorship.*

This broad definition aligns with our philosophy and underscores the impact of the PAVING the Path to Wellness program: a roadmap to help you navigate the physical, mental, emotional, and social challenges that arise at diagnosis and persist through treatment and beyond.

October is Breast Cancer ACTION Month. Awareness is important, but this month is also a call to act: to support the millions of people living with and beyond breast cancer, to recognize their families, caregivers, and care teams, and to address the challenges that so often continue long after treatment ends.

Survivorship is about more than living longer. It’s about living well, with the best possible health, quality of life, and meaning, after a breast cancer diagnosis. Our PAVING program and book offer a roadmap to help you take action for your own health and learn to thrive. 🩷

#BreastCancerActionMonth #BreastCancerSurvivorship #CancerSurvivorship #PAVING by @dramycomander

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18 hours ago

October is Breast Cancer Action Month, and today, on Day 3, I’m focusing on the power of community. 💗

This morning I had the privilege of joining the VisionWalk, sponsored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness, alongside my husband Jason, a physician-scientist at Mass Eye and Ear. Jason cares for patients with inherited retinal conditions and also does research on gene therapy, which can help restore vision for some people who are losing their sight. It is truly remarkable work.

What moved me this morning was the power of the community. Hundreds of people came together for a shared cause. Many shared that 10 to 15 years ago, there were NO treatments for inherited retinal conditions. Today there is real HOPE. The people at this walk, and the clinicians and scientists like my husband, are truly changing lives.

I see the same power in the breast cancer community. Survivors, thrivers, metavivors, families, friends, advocates, and researchers show up for one another. Their fundraising, advocacy, and support have driven extraordinary advances in breast cancer care. Community has not only advanced the field. It has saved lives.

My ACTION step for today: find your community. Connection is one of the pillars of lifestyle medicine, and together we can take action and make a real impact on the world.🤝

#BreastCancerActionMonth #BreastCancerAwareness #PowerOfCommunity #VisionWalk #FoundationFightingBlindness by @dramycomander

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2 days ago

October is Breast Cancer Action Month, a time not just to raise awareness, but to turn awareness into action. 💗

This month, I am thinking of my patients, who are my greatest teachers. Their courage, questions, and determination remind me every day why action matters: early detection, equitable access to care, ongoing research, and real support for every person living with and beyond breast cancer.

The goal that anchors my work is optimizing the health, well-being, and outcomes of my patients with breast cancer. Inspired by them, over 7 years ago I began a collaboration with @bethfrates.md and launched the PAVING the Path to Wellness Program for breast cancer survivors. Our first PAVING group met in a hospital conference room. Since then, the program has grown considerably, and we now have an amazing leadership team! PAVING offers a roadmap to help individuals navigate the physical, mental, emotional, and psychosocial challenges that begin at diagnosis and continue through treatment and beyond.

Lifestyle medicine is one of the most powerful forms of action we can take. Moving our bodies, nourishing ourselves well, prioritizing sleep, managing stress, and staying connected can improve quality of life and support long-term health. That is why Dr. Beth Frates, Dr. Michelle Tollefson, and I wrote “PAVING Your Path Through Breast Cancer and Beyond: Evidence-Based Lifestyle Medicine Tools for Cancer Survivorship.”

This month, I invite you to take one action:
✔️ Schedule your screening, or remind someone you love to schedule theirs
✔️ Learn your family history and personal risk
✔️ Choose one healthy habit to build this week
✔️ Reach out to someone on their breast cancer journey

To every survivor, thriver, and metavivor, however you name your journey: we see you, we stand with you, and we are taking action for you this month and every month.💗

#BreastCancerActionMonth #BreastCancerAwareness #BreastCancerSurvivorship #LifestyleMedicine #PAVINGtheWay by @dramycomander

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2 days ago

October 2: Day 2 of #BreastCancerACTIONMonth!

After last weekend’s nor’easter here in New England, temperatures in the HIGH 70s are calling my name! And the ☀️ is out!

Today’s focus for #BreastCancerACTIONMonth: nature as medicine.

For breast cancer survivors, early research suggests nature-based activities may help reduce stress, improve mood, ease fatigue, and support quality of life. The studies are small and varied,but we know getting outside in green spaces is benefical for our overall well-being! 🌳

Today’s action: Spend some time outdoors. Take a gentle walk, enjoy a garden, or simply sit outside and notice the sounds, colors, and fresh air. It doesn’t have to be a workout, and you can choose what feels right for your body today. Even better? Get outside wiht a friend.❤️

Want to learn more about the benefits of “Nature as Medicine?” Check out my friend Dr. Melissa Sundermann, the @thedoctoroutdoors‼️

What’s your favorite way to enjoy the outdoors? 🌳

#NatureAsMedicine #LifestyleMedicine #BreastCancerSurvivorship

Want the data? (The answer should always be YES!) Here is one interesting study:

Nature-Based Interventions and Exposure among Cancer Survivors: A Scoping Review by Olson et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023. by @dramycomander

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3 days ago

“How can I live my best life?”

This is the question that brings so many breast cancer survivors to the PAVING the Path to Wellness Program- and the question we explore together every single week.

In the 7 years (!!!) since I met with that first group in a conference room at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, over 400 participants have walked this path with us, exploring the power of exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and connection. As interest has grown, so has our team of wonderful, multidisciplinary leaders who offer participants evidence-based ways to become the healthiest version of yourself.

But PAVING offers something just as essential as education: hope. PAVING graduate Mary Chevalier expresses this so eloquently: “The PAVING program and process gave me HOPE! … Not the red thread, but the golden thread that ran through it all.”

Want these tools for yourself? Our book, *PAVING Your Path Through Breast Cancer and Beyond,” written with my wonderful co-authors Dr. Beth Frates and Dr. Michelle Tollefson. Our book is available on Amazon and at HealthyLearning.com. All proceeds support our nonprofit, @pavingwellness.

I started this program to empower my patients with evidence-based lifestyle medicine tools so they can live their best lives after receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer. This is my WHY. My team and I are dedicated to advancing this mission in October, as well as every single month of the year. 💗

#BreastCancerACTIONMonth #CancerSurvivorship #BreastCancerSurvivorship #LifestyleMedicine #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth by @dramycomander

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3 days ago

Today is October 1, the start of #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth, or, as I like to call it, #BreastCancerACTIONMonth!

Today’s action: Know your breasts. Know your normal. And see your healthcare provider if you notice a change that concerns you.

The American Cancer Society encourages breast self-awareness: being familiar with how your breasts usually look and feel, rather than routine, structured monthly self-exams as a screening test. The goal is familiarity, not a perfect monthly ritual.

How can you get to know your normal?

🪞 1. LOOK in the mirror.
With your shirt and bra off, look at your breasts with your arms at your sides, raised overhead, and then with your hands pressed against your hips. Notice any new changes in size, shape, or contour; skin dimpling, puckering, redness, or swelling; or a nipple that has newly turned inward.

🖐️ 2. FEEL for changes.
Lie down with one arm behind your head. Use the pads of the three middle fingers of your opposite hand to feel the breast with small circular motions, using light, medium, and firm pressure. Follow a consistent pattern so you cover the whole breast, including the area beneath the nipple and extending toward the armpit. Repeat on the other side.

You can also check while standing in the shower, where your hand may glide more easily over the skin. The point is to become familiar with your breast tissue.

📞 3. ACT on anything new or unusual.
A new lump, thickening, skin dimpling, nipple change, or unusual nipple discharge deserves medical attention. Contact your healthcare team promptly, even if your last mammogram was normal or your next one is already scheduled. Most breast changes are not cancer, but they should still be evaluated.

Prefer a monthly reminder? That can be a personal way to check in with your body, rather than a screening requirement. For those who menstruate, checking after your period may be more comfortable because breasts are often less swollen and tender. Never wait for a particular day to report a change.

📣Breast self-awareness complements, but never replaces, mammography and other screening recommended for your age and individual risk.

#BreastCancerActionMonth by @dramycomander

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3 days ago

Week 2 of the PAVING the Path to Wellness program for breast cancer survivors kicks off in just 20 minutes! 💕

As we celebrate our 7th anniversary, I’ll be sharing a glimpse of what we are exploring each week in our program. Tonight’s topic is one of my favorites: physical activity! 🏃‍♀️🏋🏽‍♀️🧘🏼‍♀️

Tonight we will take a deep dive into the science behind why movement is medicine in oncology, and discuss the latest evidence-based exercise recommendations from national organizations, including ASCO, ACS, ACSM, AICR, and NCCN.

But the best part? The encouragement, accountability, and inspiration that grow when women support other women. PAVING is about celebrating each other’s progress, navigating challenges together, and discovering that you don’t have to take the next step alone.

Because PAVING is more than a program- as we always say, PAVING IS A MOVEMENT! ✨

I can’t wait to get moving with our amazing group this evening!
#PAVINGISAMOVEMENT #ExerciseOncology #MovementIsMedicine #LifestyleMedicine #BreastCancerSurvivorship by @dramycomander

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4 days ago

Tomorrow is October 1- the first day of #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth. But I prefer to think of October as #BreastCancerACTION Month. 💗

Awareness is important, but as a breast oncologist & lifestyle medicine specialist at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, I strongly believe in taking ACTION‼️That’s how I frame this month, and I invite you to join me. Together, let’s make a difference!

✨ What steps can individuals take to reduce their risk of breast cancer?

✨ What can survivors, thrivers, and those living with breast cancer do to optimize quality of life, well-being, and outcomes?

✨ How can families, friends, and caregivers provide meaningful support- and how do we also support the caregivers themselves?

These are some of the key questions that fuel my “WHY.”

To kick off this month of ACTION, I’m sharing a memory from an American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk- an annual celebration of courage and hope that unites communities to raise funds and advance research to END breast cancer.🎀

The Making Strides walk is the ACS’s largest breast cancer fundraiser, and as a proud Bostonian, it’s especially meaningful that this tradition began in Boston- the hub of biomedical innovation and cancer research. 🧬🔬🧫

A few years ago, we created a team for members of the PAVING the Path to Wellness breast cancer survivor & thriver community. 🎀 The event truly honored the strength and passion of survivors and thrivers.

This October, let’s focus on the ACTION steps we can all take to support those affected by breast cancer. I’ll be sharing ideas throughout the month, and I would love to hear your thoughts and creative contributions in the comments.🎯
#BreastCancerACTIONMonth #TakeACTION by @dramycomander

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5 days ago

It is a well known aphorism that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away…” Well, not this breast oncologist with a passion for lifestyle medicine! 🍎

One of the highlights of fall in New England is APPLE PICKING, and today, one of my dear patients brought me orchard-fresh apples and a delicious apple dumpling, and I can’t think of a sweeter way to welcome fall! 🍂

She is a dear patient who I have now known for well over ten years, and she knows how much I love discussing the benefits of plant-based nutrition! The thoughtfulness behind this gesture means so much.🍎Caring for my patients is truly a privilege!
#Gratitude #WelcomeFall #ApplePicking #BreastOncologist #AppleADay 🍎 by @dramycomander

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5 days ago