What Is the Role of Lifestyle Medicine in Cancer Care?
Amy Comander, MD discusses the Lifestyle Medicine Program at Mass General Cancer Center and how "treating the whole person, not just the cancer, is essential in oncology care.”
Contact Information
Waltham, MAPhone: 781-487-6100
Newton, MAPhone: 617-219-1230
Video: Meet Dr. Comander and learn about breast cancer
Dr. Amy Comander specializes in the care of women with breast cancer. Dr. Comander is Medical Director of the Mass General Cancer Center in Waltham, where she also serves as Director of Breast Oncology and Cancer Survivorship at the Mass General Cancer Center in Waltham and at Newton Wellesley Hospital. She is an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She received her undergraduate degree and a master's degree in Neuroscience at Harvard University. She received her medical degree at Yale University School of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine residency training and Hematology-Oncology fellowship training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. She is board certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology, and she is a Diplomat of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine.
Dr. Comander is well-known for her compassionate care and passionate devotion to her patients. She has served as a medical advisor to Oneinforty, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage about the one-in-forty chance of having inherited a BRCA mutation. She is proud to serve on the board of the Ellie Fund, a non-profit that provides services and support to women diagnosed with breast cancer in Massachusetts. Dr. Comander has a strong interest in improving the quality of life and outcome of cancer survivors through important lifestyle interventions, including physical activity, diet, and mind/body interventions. She promotes healthy lifestyles for both her active treatment patients as well as those in the survivorship phase of care. She has launched PAVING the Path to Wellness, a 12 week lifestyle medicine based survivorship program for women with breast cancer.
Clinical Interests:
Treats:
Mass General Cancer Center in Waltham
52 Second Ave.
Suite 1110
Waltham, MA 02451
Phone: 781-487-6100
Mass General Cancer Center at Newton-Wellesley
2014 Washington St.
Newton, MA 02462
Phone: 617-219-1230
Medical Education
American Board Certifications
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Select Publications:
Comander A, Frates, B, and Tollefson M. Am J Lifestyle Medicine 2021 Jan 29;15(3):242-248
Breast Cancer: A Lifestyle Medicine Approach.
Orman A, Johnson DL, Comander A, Brockton N. Am J Lifestyle Medicine 2020 Apr 26;14(5):483-494.
Secure online access to your health information whenever you need it. Check appointments, communicate with your provider and pay bills online 24/7.
Mass General has two proton therapy centers and is the only hospital in New England to offer proton therapy on site.
Mass General is recognized as a top hospital on the U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll for 2024-2025.
Amy Comander, MD discusses the Lifestyle Medicine Program at Mass General Cancer Center and how "treating the whole person, not just the cancer, is essential in oncology care.”
Billy Costa talks with Dr. Robb Friedman, Dr. Amy Comander, and Dr. Larry Blaszkowsky about how the care teams at Mass General Cancer Center's community locations provide patients with access to world-class cancer care close to home.
Spin instructor and mom, Katie Britton, was surprised by her breast cancer diagnosis. Taking advantage of the PAVING program and other supportive care services at the Mass General Cancer Center helped Katie navigate her treatment and find support.
Research shows that breast cancer survivors who adopt healthy lifestyles have improved health and quality of life. We review these recommendations and are joined by a patient who covers her new lifestyle habits after diagnosis.
With no family history, I didn’t expect to hear I had breast cancer. I had moved and lost pace with my annual mammograms for two years. But, Dr. Comander made me feel tough and confident.
I knew I wanted my care at Newton-Wellesley. The doctors at their cancer center — who are Mass General Cancer Center doctors — continuously go above and beyond for their patients.