Dr. Leah Tonkin, MD, MBA, DipABLM, is guiding people towards healthier, cancer-free lives through her preventative medicine practice at West Cancer Center’s wellness branch, Lifesigns. Her work emphasizes the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine to build positive habits that can significantly impact well-being and longevity.
Lifesigns stands out as the only comprehensive clinic in the mid-south dedicated to prevention and early detection. Their clientele is diverse, including those wanting annual screening, athletes, cancer (both during treatment and in remission) patients, individuals at high genetic risk, and people managing chronic diseases.
“I believe preventative care helps people change their outcomes everywhere,” Dr. Tonkin states. She cites staggering statistics: six in ten American adults have at least one chronic disease, and four in ten have two or more. At a recent oncology conference, Dr. Tonkin presented evidence that suggests 75-90% of chronic diseases, including many cancers, are preventable through lifestyle changes.
Every patient’s journey at Lifesigns begins with comprehensive screenings such as mammograms, EKGs, x-rays, ultrasounds, hearing tests, and extensive blood work.
After the initial screening, providers like Dr. Tonkin provide patients with take-home, personalized lifestyle modifications based on the six pillars of health: nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, social connection, and avoiding risky substances. Tonkin ensures the plans are practical and attainable, introducing small, achievable steps to make significant health improvements.
“There are simple ways to make recommendations palatable, such as adding five fruits and vegetables daily or walking 10 minutes after each meal to reduce blood sugar and improve metabolic health,” Dr. Tonkin explains. “We also emphasize social connections to improve emotional resilience and encourage healthy behaviors — bonus if you can work this into some active time!”
With obesity ranking as the second leading cause of cancer, Lifesigns supports patients in achieving weight-loss retention through SMART-ER goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound). The added two letters (for evaluation and review) promote “long-term thinking so people can adapt and modify to their everyday world without giving up,” she says.
“I believe preventative care helps people change their outcomes everywhere”
Originally a physics major in college, Dr. Tonkin’s career path shifted to pre-med after she was in a motorcycle accident at 21. Then, after working early on with gestational diabetes patients, Tonkin saw how blood glucose control was just one of the many ways lifestyle modifications can alter the course of someone’s fate.
Dr. Tonkin practices what she preaches, staying active with her friends and family. She and her daughter completed yoga teacher training at Hot Yoga Plus and take classes together. She enjoys rucking, which is walking with weighted vests to enhance strength, endurance, cardio, and bone health with her family and friends, and rock climbing with her son.
With the New Year recently behind us, Dr. Tonkin says people might be feeling overwhelmed by their resolutions. Her advice: focus on fun, positive goals that bring you joy, and find ways to introduce small changes. Whether it’s taking the stairs, swapping out an ingredient in our food, or finding a moment of connection with friends, Dr. Tonkin is confident we can all enhance our overall health and happiness for the long run.
To book an appointment today or for more information, visit Lifesigns.com or call 901.685.5520.