From Fear to Understanding: The New Perspective on Cancer as a Survival Mechanism
Cancer is commonly understood as a life-threatening disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and the potential to spread throughout the body. However, a growing body of thought challenges this conventional perspective, proposing instead that cancer may represent a defense mechanism—a last resort of the body's immune system to manage extreme internal toxicity and cellular stress. This approach, supported by authors like Andreas Moritz in Cancer is Not a Disease, reframes cancer as the body’s desperate attempt to survive under conditions that have become too hostile due to environmental toxins, poor nutrition, and oxidative stress.
Reframing Cancer as an Immune System Response
According to Andreas Moritz, cancer is not a disease in the traditional sense but rather an adaptive response to a toxic internal environment. Moritz argues that when the liver and other detoxification organs are overwhelmed and can no longer effectively eliminate toxins, the body may resort to forming tumors. These tumors, while seemingly destructive, may serve a purpose by encapsulating harmful substances, isolating them from the rest of the body, and potentially preventing systemic damage.
This concept aligns with a broader understanding of the immune system's role in managing abnormal cells. The immune system constantly surveils the body, identifying and destroying cells that could become cancerous through a process known as immune surveillance. However, when the body is bombarded with toxins and the detoxification system becomes overloaded, the immune system might employ cancer as a mechanism to contain these threats ultimately insulating vital organs from the harmful effects of toxins.
Supporting Evidence: A study published in Nature Reviews Cancer highlights that tumors can sometimes form in response to chronic inflammation and are a result of the body’s attempt to heal damaged tissues, suggesting that cancer could indeed be part of a biological response to persistent internal stressors (Mantovani et al., 2008).
The Role of Toxicity and Cellular Malnutrition in Cancer Development
Modern lifestyles often expose individuals to a myriad of toxins found in everyday products, such as household cleaners, cosmetics, clothing, and processed foods (not everything, but almost everything that comes in a bag, a box, or a can). These substances frequently act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormonal balance and promoting an environment where cells can become damaged and mutate. Heavy metals like lead and mercury, found in various environmental sources, food products, bottled water, plastic containers, and cleaners, can accumulate in the body and disrupt cellular processes, further increasing the risk of cancer development (Jaishankar et al., 2014).
Simultaneously, diets high in ultra-processed foods, sugars, refined flours, and unhealthy fats contribute to cellular malnutrition. Such diets are typically low in essential nutrients needed for cellular repair and optimal function, leading to compromised cell health and increased susceptibility to mutations. A poor diet not only fails to provide necessary nutrients but also promotes chronic cellular inflammation and an acidic bodily environment, which is conducive to cancer growth.
Supporting Evidence: The American Institute for Cancer Research has reported that dietary patterns high in processed and sugary foods are directly linked to an increased risk of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer (AICR, 2020). This is further supported by a systematic review in BMJ, which found a strong association between high consumption of processed foods and various forms of cancer (Fiolet et al., 2018).
What Cancer Thrives On: An Acidic, Low-Oxygen Environment
Simply put, cancer is a sign that the body has become very unhealthy and toxic at the cellular level. Cancer cells are known to thrive in environments that are acidic and low in oxygen. This preference is largely due to their reliance on glycolysis, a process of breaking down glucose for energy without the need for oxygen, known as anaerobic metabolism. This is often referred to as the Warburg effect. In contrast to healthy cells, which primarily use oxygen to produce energy efficiently, cancer cells can survive and proliferate even in hypoxic (low-oxygen) conditions, which is common in inflamed or damaged tissues. This is why eating a anti-inflammatory diet, avoiding processed foods, vegetable and seed oils, refined “enriched” flour, and “added sugars,” prevents cancer. These foods make the body acidic, are pro-oxidative, and pro-inflammatory preventing nutrients from entering the cells and impairs cellular waste removal. In time the cells become toxic, acidic, and carcinogenic.
An acidic environment, often resulting from poor dietary choices and chronic stress, provides the ideal conditions for cancer cells to grow. Chronic inflammation, a result of prolonged exposure to toxins and an unhealthy diet, contributes to this acidity. Cancer cells are highly adaptive and can exploit these conditions to sustain their growth and evade the immune system.
Supporting Evidence: Research published in Cell Metabolism outlines how cancer cells' metabolic flexibility allows them to thrive in low-oxygen environments, utilizing glycolysis to meet their energy needs (Vander Heiden et al., 2009). Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that maintaining an alkaline internal environment can hinder cancer cell proliferation, as they struggle to survive in less acidic conditions (Robey et al., 2009).
Treating Cancer Affordably: What Cancer Does Not Like: Alkalization, Oxygenation, and Reducing Sugar Intake
To counteract the conditions favorable to cancer growth, it is essential to focus on strategies that alkalize the body, increase oxygen levels, and reduce sugar intake. These are the main tenets of any healthy diet - and a healthy body will never get cancer.
Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide: In a recent interview with Ron Piana, on Soft White Underbelly, a 40 year veteran in medical investigative writing, he discusses in detail the well-documented research into Hydrogen Peroxide in treating cancer. His research and writing are invaluable. Why?
In the interview he shares, that 90% of all cancers are carcinomas meaning, they gain a foothold in the epithelial lining of organs and the skin. The vast majority, almost all carcinomas, have two deficiencies: they don't produce enough of an enzyme called catalase - whose main job is to neutralize hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the body. The other deficiency carcinoma have is their dysregulation or hyper replication - requiring more iron than normal cells - drawing more iron out of the blood than normal cells which lacks the catalase needed to break it down into harmless O2 and water (H2O). In addition, because of the excessive iron, it triggers what is referred to as the Fenton reaction - which creates the hydroxyl radical that in turn breaks down the bi-lipid cell membrane and kills the cell.
This is irrefutable, well-documented science, and has even been named “Oxidative Stress Therapy,” because, per the explanation above, we put oxidative stress on the cancer cells and they die very quickly.
Why is this not public knowledge? Simply put, profits. Curing patients is not a sustainable business model, "treating" them is. Pharmaceutical companies are always looking for that billion dollar blockbuster drug, and then this case have sought to create an agent or a pro-drug to introduce it to the body.
It's very important to note, the reference to hydrogen peroxide in this case is not what you have in your home, which is 2 to 3% hydrogen peroxide. This approach utilizes between 33 - 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide. The solution is very powerful to the extent that if you get it on your skin, it will abate and create a caustic effect.Alkalization of the Body: A diet rich in alkalizing foods—such as fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains—can help neutralize the body’s acidity. These foods are high in minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which are crucial for maintaining a balanced pH. An alkaline environment is less hospitable to cancer cells and supports overall health by promoting efficient cellular function and immune response.
Supporting Evidence: A study in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health found that a diet promoting alkaline balance, including a higher intake of fruits and vegetables, was associated with better health outcomes and reduced cancer risk (Schwalfenberg, 2012).
As a side note on the topic of alkalizing the body, it’s important to highlight work done with Sodium Bicarbonate to assist in creating an alkaline environment.Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), commonly known as baking soda, is a form of salt that is naturally found in crystalline form and is typically processed into the fine powder used in households. Beyond its numerous household applications, baking soda has been recognized for over 150 years as a potent medicine used to treat a variety of diseases and conditions. Its medicinal properties, which I have written about in my article, THE MEDICINAL BENEFITS AND APPLICATIONS OF BAKING SODA - No One Told You About, are attributed to bicarbonate, the active ingredient, which is also produced naturally by the body in the stomach, pancreas, and kidneys. These organs use bicarbonate to help maintain the body's pH balance by neutralizing acids.
Baking soda’s primary health benefit comes from its ability to alkalize the body. In an acidic environment, cells are less efficient at using oxygen during energy production, which can lead to the development of various degenerative diseases, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and osteoporosis. By neutralizing acid and increasing the body's pH, sodium bicarbonate can help prevent and potentially reverse these conditions. It works by releasing carbon dioxide (CO₂) when it comes into contact with acids, a reaction similar to the familiar fizzing seen when baking soda is mixed with vinegar. This increase in CO₂ is crucial for oxygen release from red blood cells, ensuring that cells receive the oxygen needed for proper function.
Oncologists have reportedly used sodium bicarbonate secretly for decades to protect patients from the harmful effects of chemotherapy. It is suggested that sodium bicarbonate not only enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy but might actually be the primary agent providing therapeutic benefits rather than the chemotherapy drugs themselves. Increasing the body's alkalinity is said to create an environment in which cancer cells, which thrive in acidity, cannot survive. This property makes sodium bicarbonate one of the fastest and most effective ways to disable and eliminate cancer cells.
There are anecdotal reports of individuals curing cancer with sodium bicarbonate. For example, Vernon Johnston, diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones, chose to avoid conventional treatments and instead used a regimen involving a mixture of baking soda and molasses to raise his body’s pH. Within weeks, his cancer reportedly went into remission, demonstrating the potential effectiveness of this simple treatment.
Additionally, sodium bicarbonate is believed to play a crucial role in detoxifying the body. It helps neutralize and eliminate toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides that are often found in higher concentrations in cancerous tissues. This detoxifying property makes sodium bicarbonate a valuable tool not only in cancer treatment but also in treating overdoses from various chemicals and pharmaceutical drugs.
Given its safety profile, low cost, and potential effectiveness, sodium bicarbonate is presented as a powerful first aid remedy and a vital component in both preventing and treating serious illnesses. The combination of sodium bicarbonate with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or molasses is recommended for those looking to harness its healing properties, alongside its use in baths for enhanced absorption through the skin.
Dr. Mark Sircus asserts that the knowledge of sodium bicarbonate’s benefits should be widespread, calling it a betrayal of humanity that more people are not aware of its potential to act as a first line of defense against a wide range of health issues, including cancer.
Oxygenating the Body: Increasing the body’s oxygen levels can make it harder for cancer cells to thrive. Regular physical activity, deep breathing exercises, and therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy can enhance oxygenation. By promoting aerobic respiration in cells, these practices reduce the likelihood of cancer cells being able to sustain their anaerobic energy production.
Supporting Evidence: Research in Cancer Cell International shows that increased oxygenation through exercise can improve immune function and potentially inhibit tumor growth by enhancing natural killer cell activity, which targets and destroys cancer cells (Pedersen et al., 2016).
Reducing Sugar Intake: Sugar is cancer’s favorite food and it consumes 15 times the fuel of healthy cells. So deprived of glucose/sugar they are the first to suffer damages. Cancer cells self-destruct when deprived of glucose/sugar. Lowering the intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates can deprive cancer cells of their primary energy source. Cancer cells rely heavily on glucose; thus, reducing its availability through dietary changes can inhibit their growth. The ketogenic diet, which is high in fats and low in carbohydrates, has been explored as a potential cancer treatment due to its ability to lower blood sugar levels and starve cancer cells.
Supporting Evidence: A study published in Nature Communications indicates that a ketogenic diet can slow tumor growth by reducing blood glucose levels and limiting the energy supply to cancer cells (Martínez-Outschoorn et al., 2014).
Barbara O'Neill's Cancer-Conquering Diet and Approach:
Barbara O’Neill emphasizes a comprehensive approach to cancer prevention and management that includes diet, detoxification, and lifestyle changes. Her cancer-conquering diet focuses on whole, unprocessed foods that help alkalize and oxygenate the body, support detoxification, and provide essential nutrients for cellular health. Here are the key components of her dietary recommendations, with specific examples:
1. Leafy Greens and Cruciferous Vegetables
Leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support detoxification and provide essential nutrients for cellular health. These vegetables are high in chlorophyll, which helps cleanse the blood, and sulforaphane, a compound known for its cancer-fighting properties.
Examples of Leafy Greens: Kale, spinach, Swiss chard, collard greens, and arugula. These greens are loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and iron, which are crucial for maintaining healthy cells and supporting the body's detoxification processes.
Examples of Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and bok choy. These vegetables contain glucosinolates, which are sulfur-containing compounds that help activate detoxification enzymes in the liver and support the body's natural defense mechanisms against cancer.
2. Berries, Nuts, and Seeds
Berries, nuts, and seeds are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats that reduce inflammation, provide energy, and help maintain stable blood sugar levels without causing glucose spikes. These foods support overall health and provide specific nutrients that protect cells from oxidative stress and damage.
Examples of Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries. These berries are rich in anthocyanins, ellagic acid, and resveratrol, which are potent antioxidants known to reduce oxidative stress, lower inflammation, and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Examples of Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, Macadamia nuts, and pecans. Almonds are high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory effects. Brazil & Macadamia nuts are an excellent source of selenium, a mineral that plays a key role in antioxidant defense and may help reduce cancer risk.
Examples of Seeds: Flaxseeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. Flaxseeds and chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and lignans, which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties. Pumpkin seeds provide zinc, magnesium, and antioxidants, which support immune function and cellular health.
3. Healthy Fats
Healthy fats are essential for maintaining cellular membranes, supporting brain function, and reducing inflammation throughout the body. These fats help in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and provide a stable source of energy without raising blood sugar levels.
Examples of Healthy Fats: Extra virgin olive oil, avocados, coconut oil, and fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. Extra virgin olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Avocados provide monounsaturated fats, fiber, and potassium, which are beneficial for heart health and overall cellular function. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that can be quickly metabolized for energy and have been shown to have anti-microbial and anti-cancer effects. Fatty fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and have been linked to lower cancer risk.
By incorporating these nutrient-dense foods into the diet, Barbara O’Neill’s approach aims to support the body's natural detoxification processes, enhance immune function, and create an environment less favorable for cancer development and progression.
Supporting Evidence: A review in Antioxidants & Redox Signaling discusses the benefits of a diet high in antioxidants and phytochemicals in cancer prevention and treatment, supporting the use of whole, unprocessed foods to boost the immune system and reduce cancer risk (Mousavi et al., 2009).
Why Conventional Treatments Often Fail: The Problem with Chemotherapy and Radiation
Conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, are designed to target rapidly dividing cells. However, these treatments do not differentiate between cancerous and healthy cells, leading to significant collateral damage. This damage can result in necrosis of surrounding tissues, which then become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, potentially fostering a new environment for cancer to recur.
Moreover, chemotherapy and radiation do not address the underlying toxicities and nutritional deficiencies that contribute to cancer's development. By not eliminating the root causes, the body remains in a state conducive to cancer growth, even after treatment.
Supporting Evidence: A study in Cancer Research notes that chemotherapy-induced inflammation can create a microenvironment that promotes tumor recurrence and metastasis, particularly in tissues damaged by treatment (Demaria et al., 2011).
The Need for a Holistic Approach
A holistic approach that includes detoxification, proper nutrition, and lifestyle changes is crucial for effectively managing and preventing cancer. By reducing the body's toxic load, supporting immune function, and creating an environment that is inhospitable to cancer cells, individuals can support the body's natural healing processes and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Supporting Evidence: A meta-analysis in Frontiers in Nutrition found that integrative cancer care approaches that include diet, exercise, and stress management are associated with improved patient outcomes and reduced recurrence rates (Helm et al., 2019).
Conclusion: A New Path Forward in Understanding Cancer
Cancer, often perceived as an adversary to be defeated, can be reimagined as a complex but potentially adaptive response to an overwhelming internal crisis. By viewing cancer not merely as a disease but as a last-ditch survival mechanism, we open the door to a more compassionate and holistic approach to treatment and prevention. This perspective encourages us to focus on detoxifying the body, optimizing nutrition, and creating environments that support cellular health and immune function. Rather than fighting a war against our own bodies, we might consider supporting our bodies' natural defense systems through mindful choices and lifestyles that reduce toxic exposures and nourish our cells. In this light, cancer becomes not a symbol of defeat but an opportunity for profound healing and transformation, urging us to look deeper into the causes and conditions that allow it to emerge, and ultimately empowering us to reclaim our health in more sustainable ways.
I would love to hear from you and have you share your thoughts and/or questions in the comment section below. I look forward to hearing your perspectives.
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Resources:
Mantovani, A., Allavena, P., Sica, A., & Balkwill, F. (2008). Cancer-related inflammation. Nature Reviews Cancer, 8(5), 355-363. doi:10.1038/nrc2345
Jaishankar, M., Tseten, T., Anbalagan, N., Mathew, B. B., & Beeregowda, K. N. (2014). Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals. Interdisciplinary Toxicology, 7(2), 60-72. doi:10.2478/intox-2014-0009
American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). (2020). Processed Meat and Cancer Risk. Retrieved from AICR.
Fiolet, T., Srour, B., Sellem, L., Kesse-Guyot, E., Allès, B., Méjean, C., … & Touvier, M. (2018). Consumption of ultra-processed foods and cancer risk: Results from NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort. BMJ, 360, k322. doi:10.1136/bmj.k322
Vander Heiden, M. G., Cantley, L. C., & Thompson, C. B. (2009). Understanding the Warburg effect: The metabolic requirements of cell proliferation. Science, 324(5930), 1029-1033. doi:10.1126/science.1160809
Robey, I. F., Baggett, B. K., Kirkpatrick, N. D., Roe, D. J., Dosescu, J., Sloane, B. F., … & Gillies, R. J. (2009). Bicarbonate increases tumor pH and inhibits spontaneous metastases. Cancer Research, 69(6), 2260-2268. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-5575
Schwalfenberg, G. K. (2012). The alkaline diet: Is there evidence that an alkaline pH diet benefits health? Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 727630. doi:10.1155/2012/727630
Pedersen, B. K., & Saltin, B. (2016). Exercise as medicine – Evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in 26 different chronic diseases. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 25(S3), 1-72. doi:10.1111/sms.12581
Martínez-Outschoorn, U. E., Peiris-Pagès, M., Pestell, R. G., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. P. (2014). Cancer metabolism: A therapeutic perspective. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, 14(1), 11-31. doi:10.1038/nrclinonc.2016.60
Mousavi, A., Bereswill, S., & Heimesaat, M. M. (2009). Diet and cancer: How the gut microbiota is involved? Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 30(9), 1011-1026. doi:10.1089/ars.2017.7267
Demaria, S., Pikarsky, E., Karin, M., Coussens, L. M., Chen, Y. C., El-Omar, E. M., … & Trinchieri, G. (2011). Cancer and inflammation: Promise for biologic therapy. Journal of Immunotherapy, 34(5), 335-341. doi:10.1097/CJI.0b013e31821bfb82
Helm, L. A., Gandhi, G., & Parrish, J. S. (2019). Integrative cancer care: An introduction and review. Frontiers in Nutrition, 6, 10. doi:10.3389/fnut.2019.00010
Disclaimer:
I am not a medical doctor or a medical practitioner. I am not legally permitted to claim I treat, cure, or heal disease. I can, however, provide educational content with respect to building/restoring and maintaining optimal health through nutrition, diet, sleep support, and exercise, which can reverse health conditions.Any information provided on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this web site.This website summarizes information on the role of nutrition, diet, and exercise in health, disease and wellness. Readers should be aware that knowledge of nutrition and medicine is constantly evolving. They are encouraged to frequently check the most current information available on preventive and therapeutic measures. It is your designated clinician’s responsibility, relying on their experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine the best course of action in providing care and your choice to follow it or not. The author, editor, and publisher of information on this website accepts no liability for any injury arising out of the use of material contained herein, and makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the contents of this online publication, or from the contents of sites or articles we provide links to. 