Breast Cancer Survivor Melanie Young Helps Newly Diagnosed Take Charge of Their Treatment with Spirited Guidebook

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Sep 04, 2013, 08:30 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Passionate traveler and wine and food professional Melanie Young took an unexpected detour in 2009 to a place she refers to as "Cancer Land." She has written a witty guidebook filled with tips and insights to help newly diagnosed women navigate their journey called: "Getting Things Off My Chest: A Survivor's Guide To Staying Fearless and Fabulous in the Face of Breast Cancer." (Cedar Fort Inc./September 10, 2013/ $16.99 ISBN-10: 1462113230 / ISBN-13: 978-1462113231.)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130904/PH73530-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130904/PH73530-b )

"Breast cancer is the trip no one wants to take, but it is a road well traveled with one and eight women diagnosed. Like so many women, when I was diagnosed I felt lost. I didn't know what to ask or expect and I didn't understand the medical language. I just knew on this trip I wanted to get out alive, keep my quality of life intact and not make a return visit! Doctors will tell you how they will treat your cancer, but it takes survivors to tell you how cancer treatment will affect your lifestyle: how to prepare and what to expect during treatment, how to deal with side effects and body image issues and how to balance work-family-community while keeping your head together and looking and feeling your best."

Melanie stresses the importance of understanding your rights and options as a breast cancer patient and taking responsibility for eating, hydrating and exercising to build strength and fight fatigue. Melanie interviewed dozens of breast cancer survivors and experts from the medical, cancer and related communities to provide concise, useful information covering a broad range of issues. Some highlights:

Five Commandments for the newly diagnosed: understanding your health insurance, managing finances, getting organized, assembling a health care team and managing communications
Selecting a surgeon, medical oncologist and managing treatment
The "Squeeze Test" - breast reconstruction options
The "Holy Trinity" - Hydrate, Gyrate and Masticate- nutrition management and exercise
Putting Your Best Face Forward - skin and oral care, hair loss/re-growth, makeup tips
Emotional Rescue - dealing with chemo-brain, stress, body image, sexuality
Peer support and services to help you
Genetic testing: your options

Diagnosed with cancer in both breasts in August 2009, Melanie underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction, five months of chemotherapy, genetic testing and a prophylactic surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes. Throughout, she continued to run her wine and food marketing business. "I needed the income and it was therapeutic to keep my mind focused despite chemo-brain." She used her experience to retool her diet, reboot her exercise regimen, rid her life from toxic stress and repurpose through writing and helping other women facing the journey. She still enjoys working in wine and food and focuses on mindful moderation.

CONTACTS:
Publisher contact: Rodney Fife, 801-489-4084
Author contact: Melanie Young, 212 620 7027/ mobile 917 478 5899
Email