Joelle Kaufman: Breast Cancer Champion and author of Crushing the Cancer Curveball: A Playbook for the Newly Diagnosed and their Family and Friends.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, the hour you spend listening to this podcast will be life-changing and, possibly, lifesaving. In this episode, Dr. Comite talks with breast cancer survivor Joelle Kaufman, author of the book Crushing the Cancer Curveball. Kaufman was a cancer caregiver (to her mother and sister) before she was a breast cancer patient herself. "The BRACA1 gene was woven into our DNA fabric like an unwanted heirloom," she says. Kaufman and Lauren Esserman, MD, director of the Breast Care Center at University of California, San Franciso School of Medicine and the surgeon who performed her double mastectomy take Dr. Comite through Kaufman's journey and share eye-opening insights and advice for newly diagnosed cancer patients and their family and friends. You'll learn… You must know your body, touch your body. Become a phenomenal body scout. Remember to do a monthly breast self-exam at the first of the month, a week after your period, or whenever you remember. Get to know what your breasts feel like because the most important thing is change. If you have a family history of cancer, bring that up every time you see a clinician. When meeting with an oncologist, always ask "can I record this," or have a friend take notes. Cancer is not an emergency You have time, and it takes time to understand the biology to have the proper care tailored to the type of tumor you have. Everyone's cancer can be unique. Avoid accepting lots of advice from people who don't know the nuances of your cancer. Give yourself permission to rage. It's OK to feel all the emotions you're feeling. If you resist, it persists. Consider "cold cap" therapy, which can potentially reduce hair loss by limiting the amount of chemotherapy reaching the hair follicles. You need community. Start a caring bridge that let friends know what help you need. Love with abandon; the love will come back to you.