Kristi Funk | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kristi Pado (1969-09-22)September 22, 1969 (age 55) Santa Monica, CA, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Stanford University (BA) UC Davis (MD) |
| Occupation | Breast cancer surgeon |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Website | pinklotus |
Kristi Funk (néePado, born September 22, 1969) is an Americanbreast cancer surgeon known for her surgical treatment of celebritiesAngelina Jolie andSheryl Crow and her advocacy of whole-foodplant-based nutrition.[1][2][3]
In 1991, Funk graduated with distinction in psychology fromStanford University.[4] She obtained her medical degree from theUC Davis School of Medicine in 1996. She was director and surgeon of the breast center atCedars-Sinai Medical Center for 7 years. She opened the Pink Lotus Breast Center inBeverly Hills in 2009.[4] In August 2010, Sheryl Crow partnered with Kristi to open the Sheryl Crow Imaging Center at Funk's Pink Lotus Breast Center.[5]
On May 14, 2013, the same day Jolie publicly disclosed in aNew York Timesop-ed herBRCA mutation status and theprophylactic mastectomy she underwent earlier that year, Funk released a blog post about Jolie's procedure in which she outlined the stages of surveillance and treatment that were followed in her case.[6][7][8]
Funk promotes a whole-food plant-based vegan diet and has stated thatdairy products increase the risk of breast cancer.[3] She has argued that buyingorganic foods, eating berries and cruciferous vegetables and switching tobar soap could reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.[9]
Sanchia Aranda, CEO ofCancer Council Australia has described Funk's claims about breast cancer as "dangerous". She stated that there is a link between being overweight and developing breast cancer but Funk's claim that eating berries substantially reduces the risk of breast cancer is not supported by solid evidence.[9] Aranda also criticized Funk's advice to use bar soap as "very bizarre".[9]
David Gorski ofScience-Based Medicine has claimed that Funk spreads misinformation about breast cancer and has misrepresented results from scientific papers.[3] For example, Gorski claims that she has stated that by exercising, avoidingalcohol, not smoking, and adopting a whole-food plant-based diet one may reduce breast cancer risk by 80%. According to Gorski this figure has been overexaggerated by Funk. Gorski also claimed that Funk has overexaggerated the effects of dairy and meat as risk factors for breast cancer, which according to Gorski are based on studies that are negative or only suggestive,[3] and that Funk has also promoted pseudoscientific views aboutdetoxing.[3]
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
