Once a year, the world pauses to recognize World Cancer Day. It serves as a reminder of the scale of the challenge. There is a need for awareness, prevention, and better care. Whilst the themes may change each year. The message, however, is always the same. Cancer affects us all, and every journey is unique.
And yet, in reality, treatment is rarely treated as unique.
For many people, a cancer diagnosis still means receiving standard treatments. These include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. There is very little conversation about lifestyle, environment, or emotional well-being.
It’s time for a wider discussion. One that respects the role of modern medicine but also acknowledges the critical importance of prevention, trauma healing, nutrition, toxin reduction, and natural approaches to building resilience.
In 2017, I was diagnosed with grade 3 triple-negative breast cancer. My oncologists warned me that without chemotherapy, I wouldn’t live beyond a year.
But I made a different choice. Having seen loved ones suffer, and lives cut short through aggressive treatments, I decided to explore an alternative path. I turned to plant medicine, detoxification, nutrition, emotional healing, and lifestyle change.
Five months later, I was all clear.
That experience became the foundation of my book My Way, which went on to become an Amazon best-seller.
Eight years later, I’m still here. Still healthy. Still proof that healing is about more than one standard approach.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: cancer is not just a disease. It’s also an industry worth over $200 billion globally, a figure expected to hit $400 billion by 2028.
That raises some uncomfortable questions:
This isn’t conspiracy, it’s economics. Patients deserve full-spectrum conversations, not one-size-fits-all scripts.
Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used cancer treatments. It targets fast-dividing cells, which includes cancer cells, but also impacts healthy ones. That’s why side effects like hair loss, fatigue, immune suppression, and digestive issues are so common.
For some, chemo extends life. For others, it takes more than it gives. The real issue is not its existence, but the lack of dialogue around supportive care, lifestyle, and prevention strategies that could work alongside or beyond conventional approaches.
Here’s a different way to think about cancer: it’s not a foreign invader. It’s your own cells, adapting to survive in a toxic or depleted environment.
When cells are overloaded by:
…they adapt by changing how they produce energy and replicate. Cancer is less about “bad genes” and more about a body forced into survival mode.
We’ve been told cancer is written in our DNA. But studies suggest otherwise:
Genes may load the gun, but it’s environment, diet, and trauma that pull the trigger.
Inside your body is the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a regulatory network that helps balance immunity, cell growth, stress response, and inflammation.
Researchers are studying how CBD (cannabidiol) interacts with this system. Early findings suggest CBD may:
⚠️ Important: These are pre-clinical and exploratory studies. CBD is not a cure or prevention for cancer. But it’s an exciting area of research worth following.
Many illnesses appear after major loss or unresolved emotional pain. Trauma deregulates the nervous system, leaving the body vulnerable.
Supportive tools many people explore include:
Previous headlines tout experimental “cancer vaccines.” While the idea is intriguing, questions remain:
For now, lifestyle and prevention remain the most proven tools in your hands.
Cancer isn’t always an unlucky strike. It’s often a reflection of environment, diet, trauma, and toxins.
You can’t control everything, but you can control:
Want to feel more confident in conversations with your oncologist?
Download my free guide: 12 Questions to Ask Your Oncologist. It’s designed to help you ask better questions, understand your options, and take back some control of your healing journey.
Written by Dee Mani
A: It's reported only <5% of cancers are strongly inherited. Most are influenced by lifestyle and environment. It's important to recognise that under 5%, could in fact be anywhere between 0-5%. This statistic could be misleading.
A: No. Research is ongoing. CBD is being studied for its impact on inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune balance, but it is not a cure.
A: In countries like the UK, the 1939 Cancer Act restricts doctors from recommending natural therapies. Medical training also emphasizes conventional treatments over lifestyle.
A: Think “balance”: whole foods, toxin reduction, stress management, trauma healing, and immune support.
A: My Way shares how Dee Mani navigated healing from breast cancer. Available on to purchase directly at mywaycbd.com or any online bookstore, or by checking deemani.com
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. The information shared here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always talk to a qualified healthcare professional. Discuss any changes to your health routine with them. This is especially crucial if you are undergoing cancer treatment.
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