I have come face-to-face with cancer many times in my life. I can honestly say that my journey with Breast Cancer has been one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. If I had to boil these lessons down to just five things Breast Cancer has taught me, this would be it.
What Breast Cancer Has Taught Me #1: The Power of Research
When my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1983, he was given no hope and sent home to do, which he did in 6 weeks. After his death, I was left with not only grief, but a lot of questions as well. Why did he develop cancer? And why did he succumb so quickly once he was diagnosed?
I went “straight to the books” to begin my research — and I say that quite literally because back then there was no internet! I even called several natural cancer clinics, which were few and far between back then. I discovered that perhaps there could have been a different outcome for my father…..but for him, it was too late.
Of course, the research has not stopped even today. What I have learned about how lifestyle, emotions and diet affect cancer (what we now call “epigenetics [1]”) has changed my life. Just as impactful to me have been all the testimonies I have witnessed in our Healing Diva community, and all the thousands of people who have reversed their cancer naturally. This speaks volumes about the power of the body’s ability to heal.
What Breast Cancer Has Taught Me #2: Emotions and Breast Cancer
The emotional connection to cancer is real. In fact, “healing my emotional wounds [2]” has been a major part of my own journey.
Over the last two decades, psycho-neuro-immunology [3] researchers have been investigating how emotions actually affect our DNA [4]. In addition, studies have confirmed that cancer development is directly related to unhealed trauma [5], whether that trauma occurred recently or in childhood.
Most of the women that we support have deep emotional wounds that need healing. I know that the unhealed traumas I experienced as a child set up patterns which contributed to Breast Cancer for me as well. Likewise, practicing emotional acceptance [6] as an adult has been a major reason why I am now able to experience vibrant health today.
What Breast Cancer Has Taught Me #3: Hormonal Imbalance
Another thing I have learned along the way is the direct connection between hormonal cancers and hormone imbalance.
Traditional medicine has created the fear that our hormones cause cancer. But we all have estrogen, so why do not all women (and men) have breast cancer?
Because this connection is foundational to Breast Cancer especially, the methods suggested in the 7 Essentials System™ [7] involve safe ways to remove xenoestrogens [8] and other harmful toxins, re-balance naturally-produced hormones, boost the immune system and lower stress.
I always say that the hormones your body produces naturally are not your enemy, but chemically-produced xenoestrogens [9] most certainly are! And you want to insure that your metabolic pathways are breaking down your estrogens properly.
What Breast Cancer Has Taught Me #4: Staying “In Tune” With My Body
When I discovered that I had Breast Cancer, I chose not to get conventional treatments like my mother did. I had seen too many people die as a result of traditional treatments than the cancer itself and on the flip side, I had witnesses many patients create vibrant health by applying the natural laws of health and healing.
When diagnosed with breast cancer, many women feel as if their body has “betrayed them”. But if you pay attention to your body and how you are feeling day to day, you will notice that your body gives you subtle signals that it is out of balance long before it screams at you with a cancer diagnosis.
My body was whispering to me each time I developed breast cancer. I was tired all the time. I was not sleeping well. I was burning the candle at both ends. I was not managing stress very well. A big take away for me with my second healing journey is that I have learned to listen to my body and take self-care action when needed. And now when I feel a sense of vibrant energy, inspiration and deep rest after sleeping, I know this is my body saying, “Thank you for taking care of me!”
What Breast Cancer Has Taught Me #5: I Am Not Alone
Loneliness is very common, especially if you have chosen to go a more natural route on your journey with Breast Cancer. You may receive backlash or rejection from well-meaning yet misinformed family members or judgement from a health professional.
Receiving support is so important on your journey. Studies have revealed that receiving (or not receiving) support can make all the difference [10] for healing from disease and for longevity in general. I assembled my healing team – medical and naturopathic doctors, emotional and EFT coaches, a few close friends, and of course, my family.
You can also get support through inspirational books [11]; I am an avid reader and researcher and reading uplifting and healing stories from others was certainly one source of comfort for me along the way. However, nothing compares to connecting with women who are on the same journey as you.
To learn more about healing breast cancer from some of the top integrative health doctors and healers in the world, please check out my latest online program: Survive & Thrive: Conquering Breast Cancer with Conventional Treatments and Natural Medicine [12]