Laura A. James, ND, FABNO

05/30/2026

05/26/2026

One of the most common questions I hear after a breast cancer diagnosis is:

“Do I have the BRCA gene?”

And while BRCA1 and BRCA2 are important to understand, they’re not the only genes linked to hereditary breast cancer. There are several others - like CHEK2 and PALB2 - that can also play a role.

The good news is that genetic testing is much more accessible now! It’s often offered through your oncology team, and there are even at-home options available if you have concerns about family history.

Understanding your genetics can be extremely helpful when it comes to making treatment decisions, which is why it’s always worth having the conversation with your care team. 🩷

05/14/2026

A breast cancer diagnosis impacts so much more than just the physical body!

Stress, fear, uncertainty, overwhelm, trouble sleeping, racing thoughts… these are all incredibly common experiences during and after treatment. And while we often focus heavily on the medical side of cancer care, supporting the nervous system matters too. 🩷

That’s where MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) comes in!

MBSR is an evidence-based program offered at many major cancer centers that helps people develop tools to navigate stress more skillfully through mindfulness, meditation, gentle movement, and nervous system awareness.

One of the things I appreciate most about MBSR is that it gives patients practical tools they can use in daily life - especially during moments that feel overwhelming or uncertain.

→ If this is something you’ve been curious about, swipe through to learn more about how MBSR works and where you can find programs online or through your local cancer centers!

05/12/2026

Your pathology report is a key part of how your treatment plan is built!

When you understand what your breast cancer looks like under the microscope, you’re able to have more informed, grounded conversations with your care team.

Some simple (but important) questions to start with:
• What size is the tumor?
• What type is it - ductal, lobular, or inflammatory?
• What is the receptor status (estrogen, progesterone, HER2)?
• Are there additional markers, like Ki-67, that give more insight into how the cancer is behaving?

Learning this information can help you understand enough to feel more confident in the decisions you’re making. So if you’re newly diagnosed with breast cancer, save this post for your next appointment. 🩷

05/07/2026

It’s Naturopathic Medicine Week!

Across the U.S. and Canada, naturopathic doctors and their patients are celebrating a form of care that has been transforming lives day in and day out.

This year’s theme - “Healthcare That Listens. Medicine That Looks Deeper.” - captures something essential about how naturopathic doctors practice...

→ They take the time to hear your full story, then look beyond your symptoms to understand what’s really going on.

Because your body isn’t a collection of disconnected parts. It’s an interconnected system - with an incredible, built-in ability to heal when it’s supported well!

Naturopathic doctors are trained in both conventional diagnostics and natural therapies, and they draw from a wide range of tools, including:
• Nutrition
• Botanical medicine
• Lifestyle support
• Physical medicine
It’s a comprehensive approach that brings together modern science and time-tested care!

If you’ve ever felt like something was being missed - or that your situation deserved more time and attention - this is your reminder that there’s another way to approach your health. 🤍

     

04/28/2026

Hot flashes aren’t just “a little uncomfortable.”

For many women navigating breast cancer, they can be intense, disruptive, and completely exhausting.

And if your cancer is estrogen-sensitive, you’re often not a candidate for hormone replacement therapy… even though estrogen is the very thing that would typically help.

That’s exactly why I created my supplement line, Best for Breast!

My flagship formula, Flash Relief supplement, combines four non-estrogenic compounds - each working in a different way to support the body through hot flashes and night sweats:
• Gamma Oryzanol
• Hesperidin
• Black Cohosh
• Ashwagandha

If you’re dealing with hot flashes and you’ve been told “there’s nothing you can do”… there ARE options. 🩷 Grab a bottle of Flash Relief at the link in my bio!

04/09/2026

One of the most common questions I hear is:
“If I don’t want to take the medication… what supplement can I take instead?”

And I get it! When you’re navigating something like breast cancer, you want to feel like you have options - ones that feel safer, more natural, more in your control.

But here’s where we need to be careful…

Simply swapping a prescription for a supplement is just a different version of the same approach. And it can quickly turn into a long list of things that feel overwhelming and unclear.

That’s not what integrative care is meant to be!

The goal isn’t more. It’s BETTER.
More thoughtful. More personalized. More grounded in what your body actually needs.

Because when supplements are used intentionally - based on real testing, real assessment, and alongside your treatment - they can be incredibly supportive!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out what you should (or shouldn’t) be taking… you don’t have to navigate that on your own. Head to the link in my bio to schedule a consultation with me today. 🩷

03/24/2026

I sometimes call it the “accommodation gene.”

Many women naturally have this “accommodation” tendency. They’ve spent a lifetime putting everyone else first - raising children, supporting partners, caring for aging parents, managing careers. And then, at 55, a breast cancer diagnosis lands.

It’s overwhelming.
It’s scary.
It’s life-altering.

Women who have been caretaking for decades suddenly being asked to become the center of care themselves - often without enough support.

That’s why guidance is so important.

Because in those first months, it’s not just about treatment.
It’s about boundaries.
It’s about asking for help.
It’s about allowing yourself to be cared for.

For the woman who has always taken care of everyone else - this is your time to take care of you. 🩷

03/19/2026

After working with thousands of women over the last 20 years, I can say one thing with absolute certainty:

There is no single way to go through breast cancer.

I’ve seen women sail through treatment with surprisingly few side effects… and I’ve sat beside women who suffered in ways most people will never see or fully understand.

Every story is different.

What I’ve also seen - over and over again - is the incredible strength women carry, even in the most impossible moments.

🩷 Women making decisions they never imagined they would have to make.
🩷 Women raising children, working full-time, and navigating treatment while trying to hold their families together.
🩷 Women doing all of this sometimes with very little support.

Over the last two decades, I’ve dedicated my career to helping women through breast cancer using an integrative approach - combining the best of conventional medicine with supportive strategies that help women feel stronger, more informed, and more supported during treatment.

And now, my goal is simple:
→ To share what I’ve learned with as many women as possible.

Because no woman should have to navigate this experience feeling alone or uninformed.
If you’ve found your way to this space, welcome. 💕 I’m so glad you’re here!