About
About Dr. Amy Comander
Amy Comander, MD, DipABLM, FACLM, MSCP is a breast oncologist with expertise in women’s health and lifestyle medicine. She serves as Medical Director of the Massachusetts General Cancer Center in Waltham. She is Director of the Lifestyle Medicine Program at the Massachusetts General Cancer Center, and an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. My Work
Dr. Comander attended Harvard University, where, as an undergraduate, she developed a passion for understanding the biological basis of behavior, and studied neurobiology and psychology as part of the university’s new multidisciplinary “Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative.” She then received her Doctor of Medicine from the Yale University School of Medicine. Her undergraduate studies in neurobiology and psychology sparked a commitment to whole-person care, ultimately guiding her toward the field of Breast Oncology. She is driven to help patients not only achieve their best cancer outcomes but also enhance their overall health and well-being. She completed her Internal Medicine residency and Hematology Oncology fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. She has pursued board certification in Internal Medicine, Hematology, Medical Oncology, and Lifestyle Medicine.
As a breast oncologist, Dr. Comander has witnessed the struggles her patients face during cancer treatment, and she is passionate about improving the overall health and well-being of breast cancer survivors through lifestyle interventions. In collaboration with Dr. Beth Frates, she launched the PAVING the Path to Wellness Program for breast cancer survivors, and she now mentors other colleagues at the Massachusetts General Cancer Center so they can lead PAVING groups, and ensure that this transformational experience can be offered to a larger group of cancer survivors and thrivers.
As a breast oncologist, Dr. Comander has witnessed the struggles her patients face during cancer treatment, and she is passionate about improving the overall health and well-being of breast cancer survivors through lifestyle interventions. In collaboration with Dr. Beth Frates, she launched the PAVING the Path to Wellness Program for breast cancer survivors, and she now mentors other colleagues at the Massachusetts General Cancer Center so they can lead PAVING groups, and ensure that this transformational experience can be offered to a larger group of cancer survivors and thrivers.
Dr. Comander practices what she preaches, having run over 20 marathons, including 12 consecutive Boston Marathons to date, raising money to improve the lives of those with breast cancer. She is proud to serve on the Board of the PAVING the Path to Wellness non-profit organization. She also serves on the Board of the Ellie Fund, a non-profit organization that provides services and support to women diagnosed with breast cancer in Massachusetts. She serves as a medical advisor to the non-profit organizations SurvivingBreastCancer.org, the Tigerlily Foundation, and Oneinforty.
She views running marathons as a metaphor for life, and her favorite running mantra is “Every mile out there is a gift, and every finish line is a gift” (Amby Burfoot, winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon).
Credentials
- Medical Director, Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute in Waltham
- Director, Breast Oncology & Survivorship, Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute in Waltham and Newton-Wellesley Hospital
- Board Certified: Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Lifestyle Medicine
- Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
- Coauthor, PAVING Your Path Through Breast Cancer and Beyond: Evidence-Based Lifestyle Medicine Tools for Cancer Survivorship, PAVING the Path to Wellness Workbook, PAVING: A Woman’s Path Through Menopause and Beyond
Fun Facts
- Runs marathons to raise funds for meaningful causes
- Book lover!
- Loves adventures with her family. She is an avid whalewatcher
- Enjoys experimenting with plantbased recipes!
- Menopause Society Certified Practitioner
