We thought it might be nice if you knew more about the phenomenally talented bloggers who blog quality health-related content here at the Life Sciences blogs.

All of our bloggers are passionate about the health topics they write about related to cancer, diabetes and cardio heart health; compassionate in intent; and dedicated to bringing news, information, resources and a personal perspective meant to educate, enlighten and inspire in prevention, health management and survivorship.

Without further ado, we would like to introduce you to breast cancer survivor Kristina Collins, who blogs the Cancer Blog.

When did you become a Life Sciences blogger? July 2006

How has cancer touched your life?

Being diagnosed on my 31st birthday with breast cancer changed me and it changed my life. At this point in my cancer journey I have come to the point where I can look at the positive things this experience has brought to my life. By facing my mortality it made me realize how short life can be and that we are all not guaranteed to live to an old age. I decided that what I was doing in my career was not satisfying so I was lucky enough to be able to quit my cubicle job as a staff accountant and work at home for my husband. I now am doing what I really love to do and that includes working at home for my husband, doing research about cancer and writing for the Cancer Blog.

What advice would you give to a newly-diagnosed patient?

Get a cleaning lady. If you are going to be going through chemotherapy or radiation you're going to get tired and worn down. I think this is something that helped me tremendously. Not just because I was tired but because mentally it gave me a sense of control because normal things were getting accomplished.

It will get easier. A lot of people that had gone through the cancer journey before me gave me that advice. I didn't believe it at the time but it is true. It did get easier to deal with the fear of recurrence. It's there but with time I ended up waking up in the morning and my first thought was not that I had breast cancer. It does take time but it happens.

What advice would you give loved ones of someone diagnosed with cancer?

Instead of saying "I'll be here if you need anything," try and make it more specific. Ask if you can help with the kids, drive the person to treatment, whatever your capable of doing for that person. It might just be a very small thing but usually the cancer patient will not call and say they need something. However, if you say you can do something specific like cook a meal the person might take you up on it.

Be available to listen if that person wants to talk about their cancer. Don't ask too many questions if they don't want to talk about it. If you don't know how open they want to be then ask. We don't mind.

What advice would you give cancer survivors?

Try and find what you love to do and do it.

Name three favorite quotes:

"A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears." -- Michel De Montaigne

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -- Eleanor Roosevelt"

"We'll figure something out." -- my husband Earle S. Collins IV

Name three books you would recommend for those touched by cancer:

Musa Mayer-After Breast Cancer: Answers to Questions your Afraid to Ask
Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book
John Diamond-Because Cowards get Cancer Too

Who inspires you?

My husband. He inpires me by his work ethic. He also inspires me the way he handled my cancer diagnosis -- sticking by me when I was at my lowest times.

What inspires you?

Honest, real people who are themselves. It inspires me to be more myself and not afraid of who that person is.

When you are not writing for TCB, what do you do?

I run my husbands side business The Rook from home. I am a Reach for Recovery Volunteer at the American Cancer Society. I also love to read and drink red wine!