Kristi Funk

October 10, 2012 As Seen On Extra

October is breast cancer awareness month, and "Extra" is helping out the pink campaign with some new tips from Dr. Kristi Funk. Host Maria Menounos caught up with the oncologist to get her top five ways to reduce the risks of the disease. Funk explained:

Maintain a healthy weight: “People who are overweight have more estrogen flowing through their bodies. And up to 75% of breast cancers are actually fueled by estrogen to grow.”

January 21, 2010 Lifechangers
Dr. Kristi Funk's Breast Cancer Quiz

"Extra" Lifechanger and breast cancer specialist Dr. Kristi Funk wants to make sure you know the facts about the disease.

Do you know the average age at which women are diagnosed with breast cancer? Is weight is a factor? Take the quiz to find out.



November 17, 2009 Lifechangers

A government panel changed the guidelines regarding breast cancer mammograms and self-examinations -- and the results are scary.

Check out Dr. Funk's breast cancer prevention tips

"Extra" Lifechanger and breast cancer specialist Dr. Kristi Funk reveals that these new recommendations "could be the difference between stage one curable" cancer and "stage four -- incurable" cancer.

Leave your questions and thoughts below on the new mammogram guidelines for a chance to have them answered by an "Extra" Lifechanger on the air.

October 22, 2009 Think Pink

"Extra" Lifechanger and breast cancer specialist Dr. Kristi Funk is going to the grocery store to show you the best foods to fight breast cancer.

The Anti-Cancer Grocery List

For your morning caffeine fix, Dr. Funk suggests trading your cup of joe for green tea. Coffee doesn't increase your risk of getting cancer, but Kristi explains, "three cups of green tea a day decreases breast cancer risk by half."

Specifically, Matcha green tea is best. Rachel Beller, a nutritional oncology specialist, reveals that Matcha "has ten to fifteen times the antioxidant power as regular green tea that comes in a bag." A splash of citrus can boost the antioxidant levels in your tea as well. "Adding lemon juice to the green tea will enhance the antioxidant power by four times." Ginger, too, is an anti-cancer heavyweight.

Spices like turmeric and oregano spruce up bland dishes while they fight-off cancer. "Population studies show that individuals who ingest turmeric on a regular basis have a lower incidence of breast cancer," Beller says, adding that oregano is perfect "sprinkled on roasted vegetables."

Your grocery list is complete, but which foods should you avoid? Check out Dr. Funk's list of foods to stay away from here.

For more information, contact Chef Lorenz at Lorenz.chef@gmail.com.

15 Breast Cancer Prevention Tips

Early Detection

Early detection ensures the best survival rate.

Get a Mammogram

Breast cancer specialist Dr. Kristi Funk says women should get their baseline mammograms at age 35. If that mammogram is normal, then start annual mammograms every year at age 40.

Get a Digital Mammogram

Dr. Funk urges women to always get a digital mammogram.

Time Your Mammogram

Time your mammogram to your menstrual cycle.

Be Vigilant

Breast cancers typically do not hurt — making them hard to detect.

Eat Right

Try limiting fat in your diet. According to the Mayo Clinic, results from the most definitive study of dietary fat and breast cancer risk suggest a slight decrease in risk of invasive breast cancer for women who eat a low-fat diet.

If You Have Gained 10 Lbs.

Dr. Kristi Funk says to determine breast cancer risk, think back to your high school weight. If you have gained 10 lbs., you increase your breast cancer risk by 10%.

If You Have Gained 20 Lbs.

If you have gained 10-20 lbs. since high school, you increase your risk by 20%.

If You Have Gained 20-30 Lbs.

If you have gained 20-30 lbs. since high school, you increase your risk by 60%.

Stay Active

Regular exercise can help maintain a healthy weight and may aid in breast cancer prevention.

Men Should Not Ignore Symptoms

Breast cancer is deadlier in men because they tend to ignore lumps in their breasts. Thus, they are diagnosed at a later stage.

Drink Green Tea

Drinking three cups of green tea a day reduces your risk of breast cancer by 50%.

Benefit to OTC Drugs

Dr. Kristi Funk says those who take Advil, Motrin, Aleve or generic Ibuprofen may reduce their risk. She says two tablets weekly may reduce your breast cancer risk by 20% after 10 years.

Holistic Treatments

Dr. Kristi Funk says holistic methods have a place in the treatment of breast cancer for symptom/side effect management and for the prevention of a second breast cancer, however, she stresses that holistic methods are never in and of themselves the only treatment for breast cancer.

The Survival Rates

89% survive five years. 81% survive 10 years.

Stage one diagnosis is a 98% survival rate.

Stage four diagnosis is a 27% survival rate.

June 24, 2009 Lifechangers

Comedic actress Fran Drescher was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2000, and she's now cancer free! Fran was recently named a Women's Health Ambassador for the US government -- and she wants you to be more informed!

Comedic actress Fran Drescher
March 05, 2009 Lifechangers

Do you know if you are at risk for a heart attack? Dr. Kristi Funk reveals the test that will give you the answer. Plus, find out the tests that can save your life!

November 24, 2008 Lifechangers

"Extra" Lifechangers Dr. Kristi Funk, Dr. Armand Dorian and Dr. Peter Grossman have joined forces to answer your questions. From the spread of breast cancer, to the real damage sunburns can cause, these Lifechangers have your medical know-how!

October 31, 2008 Think Pink

Breast cancer survivors Christina Applegate, Melissa Etheridge and Sheryl Crow have all fought the battle against breast cancer. Now "Extra" Lifechanger Dr. Kristi Funk is fielding your questions about living with cancer.

Do you have a question for Kristi? Upload your video comment here.

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