Alumni
Profiles of Success
Diana Grant Dyer
B.S. Biology 1972, Purdue
Registered Dietitian
When only six months old, Diana Dyer was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer. Surgery and radiation therapy proved successful, but 34 years later cancer was found in her left breast. Ten years after recovery, a mammogram revealed a new tumor, this time in the right breast. This third bout with cancer was also treated successfully, but it left Diana at a high risk for recurrence."It was time to start looking at things in a new way," she concluded."I now knew I could no longer naively think that chemotherapy and surgery alone were all I needed to do to keep this cancer from coming back or even another new one from developing."
A Registered Dietitian, Diana began formulating what she terms her "healing recipe" - a comprehensive and holistic approach to physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery from her third cancer diagnosis. She began incorporating changes into her lifestyle, which included dietary modifications, exercise, and meditation. Though many of these variations fall under"alternative medicine," Diana stresses that they are by no means a replacement for conventional medicine; instead, they are intended to complement it.
During her 20-year career, Diana specialized in providing nutritional support for the critically ill. From 1976-1996, she worked in various hospitals in the Midwest, and in 1997 she went into private practice to counsel cancer survivors on nutritional and lifestyle changes. It was in April of that year that Diana's life took a turn. The Detroit Free Press published the article"Nutrition vs. Cancer," distributing it across the country via the wire service. Highlighting research regarding nutrition and cancer connections, the article also told Diana's cancer story, as well as described the changes she had made in her diet and lifestyle as a Registered Dietitian to decrease the chance of cancer recurrence. The response to the article was overwhelming - the phone began ringing the morning the article hit the papers, and Diana eventually heard from over 1500 people from across the country. Though some callers simply wanted to say"Congratulations," numerous others wanted additional information and guidance concerning the changes she had made in her diet and lifestyle.
In response to the numerous inquiries, Diana wrote and self-published a book in 1997, which she titled A Dietitian's Cancer Story: Information and Inspiration for Recovery and Healing from a 3-Time Cancer Survivor (*see below for how to obtain a copy). In these pages Diana shares her methods for improving quality of life both during and following cancer treatment. People in all 50 states and 27 foreign countries have ordered the book, which has been reprinted and updated several times. Proceeds from the sale of the book go to The Diana Dyer Cancer Survivors Nutrition and Cancer Research Endowment, which Diana established at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the endowment is to fund research projects focusing on nutritional strategies, either during treatment or recovery, to optimize the odds for long-term survival.
Diana is often sought out by cancer survivor groups and health care professionals to speak about her cancer recovery experience. She has done numerous interviews, spanning all sources of media-magazines, newspapers, radio, and TV, as well as talks via the internet. MSNBC has featured her story, as have the PBS documentaries "Breast Cancer-Surviving and Winning". She has also been recognized on several occasions for the accomplishments she has made in her field. She has most recently been the recipient of the Karen Wright Memorial Lecture Award, presented by the Alabama Dietetic Association in March 2002. Other honors include the Individual Public Relations Award, presented in May 1998 by The Michigan Dietetic Association, which also recognized her as Dietitian of the Year in May 2000.
Today Diana serves as a resource and consultant to other oncology dietitians and healthcare professionals, but primarily focuses her activities on public speaking and writing. She also maintains a web site at www.CancerRD.com, which serves as a source of information and inspiration for cancer survivors. She is active in a number of organizations, as well, including the American Dietetic Association, the Michigan Dietetic Association, and the Nutrition Entrepreneurs of Michigan.
* Diana's book is available for order at any bookstore, library, Amazon.com,
or AICR (1-800-843-8114, www.aicr.org)
Interested in a Career as a Registered Dietitian?
"My undergraduate degree in Biology was the perfect foundation for further graduate study in nutritional sciences and becoming a Registered Dietitian," remarks Diana."Having the solid knowledge base of cellular and molecular biology permitted me to easily integrate this information into understanding the complex biochemical systems of nutritional sciences. Because of the rigor of my undergraduate degree, I have had confidence throughout my career as a Registered Dietitian to communicate with the physicians I have worked with as an equal and valued member of the heath care team."
Biology students interested in pursuing Nutritional Sciences or a career as a Registered Dietitian can benefit from speaking to a professor to learn about the various career options available in the field."An advisor from the Nutrition Sciences department would give you information regarding various undergraduate classes that would be important to take for admission to nutrition graduate programs and/or internships, potential classes, and/or volunteer activities to give you an overview of career options, and possible research positions for an undergraduate student," she states. "I would also suggest calling your local hospital asking if any of the Registered Dietitians on staff or in the community would be willing to have you shadow them for a day or two."
For More Information:
American Dietetic Association: www.eatright.org