Dr. Kenneth D. Miller is Assistant Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine in the Section of Medical Oncology. He has focused his career on caring for women with breast cancer and developing improved supportive care services for cancer patients. He is the Director of the Connecticut Challenge Survivorship Clinic and of the Supportive Care Program at Yale Cancer Center and is working to develop innovative clinical programs for both inpatient and outpatient settings. Dr. Miller is a recipient of the Physician Recognition Award from the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. He is an invited speaker on cancer survivorship issues at cancer centers around the country. Dr. Miller is the host of Yale Cancer Center Cancer Answers, a weekly talk show on WNPR (Connecticut Public Radio) that covers myths, facts and advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, with a different focus each week. Choices in Breast Cancer Treatment: Medical Specialists and Cancer Survivors Tell You What You Need to Know is edited by Kenneth D. Miller, M.D.

Guest Blogger Dr. Kenneth Miller--

I am a breast cancer specialist. Twenty-two years ago, around the time I was training in Oncology, I found out that my oldest daughter Cara was deaf. My wife and I faced a difficult decision regarding whether to use American Sign Language or an "oral" approach to communicate. At the time we read a book entitled, "Choices in Deafness" which shared both factual information and stories written by families that were similar to ours. We learned that there is no one right choice, but many right choices. I decided then that I wanted to write a book called, Choices in Breast Cancer Treatment.

Unlike most medical conditions, for which there are single recommended therapies, breast cancer has many treatment options. Women are faced with making numerous decisions about their treatment plans. It can be confusing and overwhelming to have to navigate the complexities of treatment choices -- especially while in the throws of fear or sadness.

With Choices I hope to arm women with important information and provide support and guidance in the decision making process. I share my philosophy that “each breast cancer patient is unique” and “ there is not one right way to go from sickness to health -- there are many right ways.” Making these treatment choices can be empowering in many ways and can be the beginning of the healing process.

Choices in Breast Cancer Treatment is not just a breast cancer guide. It is a collection of stories by many of my patients who have traveled down this road and had to make these personal choices. In addition, the book provides a personal perspective from the clinicians who work with women with breast cancer and from experts who offer the latest medical information.

BACKSTORY: Dr. Miller Understands Firsthand The Choices Of A Cancer Diagnosis:

About eight years ago my wife Joan had acute leukemia and was profoundly ill. Fortunately, Joan recovered, but we learned many things through this journey that I also want to share in this book:

1) People are not statistics!

2) People are not their diagnosis or their disease!

3) Hope is free and has few side effects!

4) Cancer is a treatable and a curable disease!

MORE FROM BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR DR. JULIE K. SILVER