Breast Cancer: Reduce Your Risk and Optimize Your Health

As a breast cancer survivor, I’m always curious about what really lowers our odds. That search led me straight to breast cancer surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk, whose work on prevention quietly changed the way I eat, move, and live. Here’s what I personally learned from her about reducing your risk and optimizing your health, in honest, practical, and genuinely doable…

Posted April 21, 2018Edited July 1, 2026
Kristi Funk

Can I introduce you to the incredible lady who saved my life?  I was very unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2015.

Dr Kristi Funk
The amazing Dr. Kristi Funk, breast cancer expert, and Chrissy Roth, plant-based diet expert.

Dr. Kristi Funk was my breast surgeon who performed my double mastectomy to save my life (no biggie!) Dr. Funk is now my friend, supermom to triplet boys, TV show host, breast cancer surgeon to the stars (although I like to think I’m her favorite patient), and as if that isn’t enough to keep her busy, she has written her first book: Breasts: The Owners Manual.

breasts the owners manualIf you have breasts – or love someone with breasts – you need to own this book.  Did you realize we make choices each day that bring us closer to breast cancer or move us farther away?  In most cases, cancer isn’t up to fate or genetics, and there are so many ways we can reduce our risk factors.

Dr. Funk’s mission is to educate as many women as possible about what they can do to stop breast cancer before it starts.

I had the pleasure of helping Dr. Funk host her very first book signing at Pages: A Bookstore in Manhattan Beach.

kristi funk 4
She could honestly be a supermodel if the breast cancer thing doesn’t work out!  
Pages Bookstore
Margot Farris is one of the owners of Pages: A Bookstore

breast cancerkristi funk book signingWe packed this beautiful boutique bookstore, overlooking the ocean, with scores of women (and a few men) to hear what Dr. Funk had to share.

pages book signing
Hot Hubby was our bartender for the evening

A local caterer supplied delicious vegan nibbles, and we enjoyed a wonderful, inspiring, and informative evening, learning what we can do to prevent many major illnesses.  Spoiler alert:  Eat More Berries!vegatables vegan food plant based food

Dr. Funk entertained us, educated us, and spent time chatting with every person who wanted to meet her. She signed every book and answered every question.

kristi funks mom
Could Dr. Funk’s mom be any cuter? She sat there proudly as her daughter spoke.

The evening was fantastic; it was my privilege to be part of this, and I hope you all make time to read this amazing book that WILL change your life.

You can purchase the book here.

BreastsTheOwnersManuaChances are, you know someone who has had breast cancer (me… me…) SO it’s relevant for everyone, and not just people who’ve had the pleasure of a breast cancer diagnosis.

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About the Author

Hi! I’m Samantha

I’m a travel and health writer, marketing consultant, breast cancer survivor, and proud mum to two young men, who are, without question, my greatest achievement.

I share family travel, destination guides, honest reviews, and the realities of life after breast cancer. It’s sometimes lovely, sometimes messy, but always authentic, and told with my dry (and sometimes naughty) British sense of humor.

I’m so glad you’re here.

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