To Canadians, Dr. Marla Shapiro, or "Dr. Marla," is best known as the respected medical authority seen on television and in newspapers. But on Friday, August 13, 2004, Dr. Marla found out she had an invasive form of breast cancer. Like the more than 20,000 Canadian women who are diagnosed with this disease every year, Dr. Marla Shapiro found her world changed forever. unlike most of those women, however, her status as a physician meant she had an insider's knowledge of the disease and its treatment.

Life in the Balance is Dr. Shapiro's intimate, inspiring and often surprising account of her battle with breast cancer, from the shock of the initial diagnosis to multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and her agonizing decision to have both breasts removed, followed by reconstructive surgery and recovery. A story infused with emotion, humour, family support and Dr. Shapiro's unwavering passion to learn--and teach--this is a book for anyone who has been touched by cancer or who knows someone who has.

DR. MARLA SHAPIRO is a Certificant of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and a Specialist in Community Medicine. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto and has her own family practice. The medical consultant for CTV National News and Canada AM, she also hosted the show Balance: Television for Living Well and writes a bi-weekly column in The Globe and Mail. She lives in Toronto with her family.

Marla Shapiro's profile page