Chris Wark interview with Julie Mason

Some years ago now I worked alongside Julie Mason - she was a true inspiration in how she took a grasp of her healing journey. You can hear her story in this new interview with Chris Wark.

It was back in December 2016 that Julie was diagnosed with stage 3c endometrial cancer, a rare, high-grade tumor. Doctors told her there was no cure and offered palliative chemotherapy and radiation. She was sent home to prepare for hospice care. Julie had other plans. 

For a key part of her healing she credits Chris Warks' Square One Cancer Coaching Program. As Chris Wark writes: "Today (August 2025), Julie is over eight years cancer-free. She’s a cancer coach, speaker, and the founder of Cancer Soothe, where she helps others navigate cancer with tools to calm the mind and strengthen the body. She is a living reminder that cancer can be healed if given the proper nutrients and care".

Chris who healed himself many years ago now set up Chris Beat Cancer which is one of the front runners in integrative cancer care in the States - his podcast is now in the top 0.5% of podcasts worldwide. His book was voted in Yes to Life's best books for those to read about cancer in 2021. I also had the pleasure of a brief conversation with him in one of the Yes to Life Forums we set up - see that here: https://yestolife.org.uk/yestolife_forum/healing-cancer-holistically/ I personally have found many of Chris' interviews hugely useful - but as always do your own research and talk to your medical team.

Anyhow here are the topics in the interview with Julie:

-Julie's stage 3 endometrial cancer diagnosis
-Why me?
-What inspired me to start Chris Beat Cancer 
-You're not selfish, you're prioritizing
-Why creating a new healthy routine is key
-You have the power to change your whole life
-20 Questions for your oncologist
-Julie's purpose after cancer
-Don't be a passenger on the treatment train
-How to be prevention-minded
-Healing happens at home 
-The importance of the Square One Support Group 
-The fundamentals of healing
-Imagine a future where you are alive 
-And more

Go to interview at: https://www.chrisbeatcancer.com/from-hospice-to-healed-julie-masons-endometrial-cancer-journey/

Mark Lintern and his inspiring look into cancer

In my last post I mentioned Mark Lintern - I've also written about him here and how his research could be the breakthrough cancer researchers have been waiting for....my original post has links to 6 hours of Yes to Life radio shows that are very worth listening to. 

However for those wanting just an hour you can get a flavour in a podcast with 'biohacker' Dave Asprey. Dave writes of the podcast: "Today's episode focuses on Cancer with a true expert, Mark Lintern. You'll learn about the surprising links between infections, inflammation, and our body's powerhouses - the mitochondria. This is a chance to arm yourself with cutting-edge theories that could change the way we treat cancer. Simple changes in treatment perspectives might be the key to unlocking new ways to tackle cancer and by the end of this episode, you'll have a fresh arsenal of knowledge to rethink cancer's causes and solutions. This is an eye-opening discussion that promises to transform the way we approach this formidable disease." 

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPJbAJL8srk&t=1s

A critical look at New German Medicine and 'cause' of cancer

Paul Leendertse

I have read a little about the New German Medicine (NGM) approach to cancer - I hugely welcome the way it looks at cancer not as an arbitrary illness but rather a biologically meaningful response to emotional shocks. I love that it looks at the mind body connection and it's possible role in cancer. However quite a bit of it hasn't sat right with me.

There are various sources online for folks to explore NGM - here's one whole book that I was sent to review: https://madeongaia.is/signup_files/GNM-Disease-Clarity.pdf In this they look at the work of Dr Hamer, the originator of NGM, and at particular cancers and causes; prostate cancer, for example, one of the suggestions is that it maybe due to a 'procreation conflict' when the man is unable to father children!

Another book I reviewed before it went to final publication with a number of changes last year was 'Terminal Cancer is a Misdiagnosis' by Danny Carroll. Again this is based on the work of Dr Hamer with some 50,000 patients. As some will know he was given a 19 month prison sentence in Germany for the 'illegal practice of medicine' - this was despite supporters noting that his 'medical research findings' showed an 85% survival rate with his patients who refused conventional medical treatments.

Just this week I was pointed to a webinar where Paul Leenderertse from the Root Cause Institute looks critically at NGM and also shares his own work - he writes: "The Root Cause is a psycho-emotional stress complex, effecting the physical body, which needs to be identified and resolved to heal." I like his approach - he says the 'tumour is there for a reason' - 'it's not just stress it's the suppression of emotions' - 'it's blocking us from spiritual growth, we're getting stuck in it and if we are not growing and learning we're dying'. For me there is clearly a role for emotions but suspect it is more than just that.

Interestingly Paul also notes a role of fungus - something that Mark Lintern's theory considers may play a part in cancer. This is not something new but has been around on the fringes of cancer research - the evidence from Mark is certainly compelling.

See what you think about Paul Leendertse's views...'A Loving Correction to NGM' webinar that lasts some 2 hours and 40 mins: https://www.rootcauseinstitute.com/path-player?courseid=gnm-webinar&unit=6512bb108a5c306ee3067be6Unit

Cancer Choices conversation with Dr. Keith Block

Dr Keith Block has long been regarded as the father of integrative oncology - he combines cutting-edge conventional treatments with individualised and scientifically-based innovative, complementary and nutraceutical therapies. His book is one of my favorites and listed by Wigwam Cancer Support group member's in their top 10 books for when newly diagnosed with cancer - see here.

This interview by Michael Lerner of Cancer Choices is from October last year - it is well worth a listen - and if you want more of Keith then there is also a Yes to Life interview here.

Book of Cancer blogs just out

I've just seen that Yes to Life's new book is out..."Kitchen Cancer Talks. Shared Stories, Same Experiences" with a foreword from Patricia Peat. It will no doubt help to raise funds for the charity.

I've not seen it but I understand it has several of my blogs in the book along with many others from Yes to Life's Wigwam group members and supporters including nutritionists and even a Naturopathic Oncologist. While everyone’s story is unique to them, the experiences and emotions that accompany being diagnosed with cancer and the journey to find an integrative path will be recognized by many. The power of shared experiences enables us to see we are not alone in our thinking.

Robin Daly, the Chair and Founder off the charity writes: "These posts are simply too valuable to pass by as ephemera. The quality of the writing is consistently high, and the sheer breadth of the content results in an inspirational resource that you can dip into at any time. Open up anywhere and you are likely to be led into territory you’ve not explored, and to have new avenues to health and wellbeing open up."

Get book (£6 kindle and £20 paperback) at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C2RHK145?

Looking for creative submissions for a new magazine by and for the cancer community

Over a year ago I was totally inspired by 'The Cancer Hive' magazine - The magazine was all about seeking to change the conversations around cancer, make it less of a taboo, but also support people who are living with it. I tried to get them involved in another project but they said go ahead and create something yourself.....well just over a year on and we are launching our own version.....

Yes to Life, the charity I have been working with and the Glos-based Artlift charity have today launched a call out for artwork, photography, writing & more for the first edition of Flourish, a magazine by and for people living with or beyond cancer. We have a Creative Editor in place and are sending out news releases and lots of social media.

The first issue is on the theme of 'Nourish' and we are after works that explore the benefits of an integrative and creative approach. You can see more at: https://www.wigwam.org.uk/post/looking-for-creative-submissions-for-a-new-magazine-by-and-for-the-cancer-community

See more about The Cancer Hive here. 

Lama Nicholas and Nick Parker

These two inspiring guys have both just died from prostate cancer. So different but each have had a big impact on my own journey - Nick Parker died just a very short while ago and Lama Nicholas early this morning in Naples, Florida.

Nick Parker at Penny Brohn

Nick Parker I met a couple of times in 2019 - you can see my short film of Nick here where he talks about some of those measures including the importance of vulnerability. He talked lots about what he did to keep his terminal prognosis at bay many more years than doctors had anticipated. However I remember him most from a phone call we had just after I had been diagnosed - he was so hugely supportive and sensitive to where I was at - quietly giving hope and more.

One of Nick's last posts was this moving 22 minute podcast talking with filmmaker Lizzie Pickering: https://nickparker.podbean.com Lizzie works for the Good Grief Project - if you've not come across this it is a quite extraordinary project established by Stroud's Jane Harris and Jimmy Edmonds. 

Lama Nicholas

It was also after my diagnosis that I met Lama Nicholas in Stroud - he was an extraordinary healer with an extraordinary life. I am deeply grateful for the time with him, his wisdom, reflection and healing. You can read a Tribute about him here on his website and also see my previous blog mentioning Lama Nicholas' book here - indeed his book is now available on his website as a free audio book: https://lama-nicholas.com/audiobook

Thoughts with families and friends. RIP.

Luzita Hill dies; ‘patients not criminals’ #cannabis campaigner

I was so very sorry to hear that Luzita Hill died on Saturday. It has been 8 years since her breast cancer diagnosis and she was told she wouldn’t live beyond 3rd June 2017. I met her at Trew Fields in 2018 and 2019 and her wonderful energy totally inspired me - she shared with me some of her campaigning work for the use of cannabis in cancer treatment. Her warmth and passion shone through and I loved her down to earth, no-nonsense approach.

Luzita has been an extraordinary, fearless campaigner who has been at the forefront of campaigns for Medical Cannabis. She chose the title of #cancercriminal because she was forced to break the law to treat her cancer. A lovely post on her Facebook page said: "She fought the prejudice, fear and misinformation. Squarely putting a mirror up to the hypocrisy of politicians who make money from growing it commercially while at the same time denying it to their own people so desperately in need of its medicine. When she stood up to speak, people listened, they dare not because she wasn’t going to back down". 

Luzita converted her skeptical integrative health team, including GP, to buying into her belief that cannabis has been the key to her on-going vibrancy. Even last month she was appearing in videos as a cannabis patient advocate talking about treating symptoms: https://youtu.be/Yznfn_8qZV8

Indeed once you start looking into this whole area there are a host of articles about cannabis and its use in treatment of cancer and symptom management (i) - including lots in PubMed. More research is needed as we still need to learn more about its effectiveness, dose, side-effects and more but there is more than enough evidence out there to make it readily available. This blog post is not for a discussion on that now - am sure I will do a post in the future. 

As part of her campaigning, Luzita spoke in Parliament with the United Patients Alliance, a Not For Profit organisation run by chronically ill patient volunteers, talking about cannabis. See her speech here: https://youtu.be/Vz6kUEqhb_0

Luzita fully supported the campaign for the trial launched in 2018 to target 20,000 patients with cannabis. Indeed she was signed up to participate and I’m told she became legal a few weeks before dying with her first cannabis description for pain relief. However disappointingly the trial has got off to a rocky start with only 12 prescriptions being made in the first year (ii) and few, if any after that up to this summer(iii). It seems despite growing evidence of how supportive medical cannabis can be, there is still a reluctance to prescribe in the NHS. Luzita's work is changing that - many of us need to continue her work.

Luzita also lived to see the introduction of the Cancard on 30th November; patients with a multitude of health conditions will have the right to apply for Cancard (iv). Journalist Roland Sebestyen, writes: "The card, which is backed by police commissioners, communicates to police officers that a person should not be arrested for consuming self-sourced ‘illegal’ cannabis as a medicine. Up to 1.1 million people could be eligible for a Cancard by 2021, removing the fear of arrest and prosecution for possession. All patients with a health condition, that is currently being privately prescribed for at a high cost, will be eligible for the card”. 

 

In terms of Cancer and this card, the conditions that are included are: "Anxiety, Chemotherapy-induced nausea, Cancer-related appetite loss, Depression, Palliative care." I’ve heard very little about this card so would love to hear how this is working?

 
Here’s another film with Luzita sharing how she got interested in cannabis: https://youtu.be/zoAbTPISpt0

Thoughts with her husband, Terry and her family and close friends. Thank you Luzita for all you did - know we will continue the work.

 

Notes

 

(i) https://www.canceractive.com/article/can-cannabis-cure-cancer

See also Tedx talk and one story about its use with pain: https://youtu.be/jyAGlb8PMRc 

(ii) https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/nov/03/medical-cannabis-patients-refused-drug-nhs-legalised 

(iii) https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jul/01/anger-at-nhs-failure-to-prescribe-cannabis-oil-medicines 

(iv) See more at:
https://canex.co.uk/over-one-million-patients-could-avoid-arrest-for-cannabis-with-cancard/

https://hightimes.com/news/cancard-provide-cannabis-med-card-u-k-patients/

https://cancard.co.uk/

Black Women Rising: new magazine

I recently got my copy of the wonderful 'Black Women Rising’ magazine - another opportunity by teh inspiring Leanne Pero and the gang at Black Women Rising to empower women of colour as they navigate their cancer journeys. There are also plans already under way for Black Men Rising.

The mission at Black Women Rising is to educate, inspire and bring opportunities for women from the BAME community, to connect with one another and share their stories, without fear or shame. As their website says; “As well as..generic injustices, the unhelpful myths and taboos surrounding cancer within the BAME community had ultimately stopped people from speaking out about their ordeals, leading to a lack of awareness and education within BAME households around cancer, its signs and symptoms. This ultimately led to the devastating outcomes of late stage diagnoses and higher mortality rates in some cancers than their white counterparts.”

Check out their podcasts

Black Women Rising have support groups and podcasts which I have mentioned in a previous blog - see here (i). This magazine will be another way to reach out. It covers loads with a look at the project, many voices from folk living with cancer, signs and symptoms, what to say to loved ones, hair, beauty, sex, gratitude, menopause, LGBTQI, genetics and so much more.

Options can be overwhelming

The magazine touches on lifestyle with Toral Shah talking nutrition and a section on exercise with Jonelle Lewis - from an integrative health perspective there is lots more evidence that could have been included around other stuff we can do to build our health. However I see one of the biggest challenges being about how not to  overwhelm people with too much info. 

 

In the recent ‘Your Life and Cancer’ online event with 40 plus global experts it was more than clear how much evidence is out there. Some options cost loads while others are almost no cost. But how do you choose? And how do you find what is right for you? 

The magazine focusing on nutrition and exercise is clearly a great place to start. However as I noted in the previous blog (mentioned above) (i), complementary medicine like conventional treatment does also not seem to be able to serve the BAME community in terms of people living with cancer.

That leads me to one of the sections in the magazine that I particularly liked - looking at what we can do as a community to help banish stigma. 

 

The graphic opposite covers some of the ways which are already underway. I know we can all do more. This magazine is certainly a great start - could they be available in oncology waiting rooms? How else can we help reach out?

 
See more and order your copy of the magazine at: https://www.blackwomenrisinguk.org/

 

Notes

 

(i) See my blog with links to Black Women Rising podcasts, support groups and a film of Leanne talking at Trew Fields with the equally inspiring late Saima Thompson:  https://myunexpectedguide.blogspot.com/2020/07/yes-to-life-stands-in-solidarity-with.html

(ii) https://www.yourlifeandcancer.com/

Fi Munro

Fi; still photo from my Trew Fields film

Fi Munro has passed. As Sophie Trew of Trew Fields Festival said: "Anyone who's been to the fest over the past 3 years will likely have been touched by Fi's magic at some point.” I was. I was touched deeply by her wonderful insights for living and her huge zest and energy for life. As she says on her website: "Choosing to live like you are dying is about embracing the fact that we all have only one life and deciding to make the choice to start truly living for today.” 

Fi was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian cancer in 2016 when she was only 30 and has become a best selling author, speaker, yoga teacher, shaman and campaigner for more random acts of kindness. It was Fi a few weeks ago who posted the idea for Random Acts of Kindness Monday but she has done so much more than just that - indeed has been leading a small revolution which has included many random acts of kindness including getting many more folk involved and handing out £20(i). 

In one of her blogs (ii), Fi asks; "What if cancer has a stage five after stage four? What if Stage Five is finding out what you are about. What if Stage Five is about LIVING?” Fi certainly walked her talk. Her book, 'How Long Have I Got?’ Is full of her life-giving philosophy (iii) and I have listed it amongst the best books to read about cancer. Her inspiring talk, 'Live like you are Dying’ at Trew Fields last year is well worth a watch - it is available at: https://vimeo.com/372598056

See also my blog: https://myunexpectedguide.blogspot.com/2020/02/fi-munro-time-to-live.html

Notes

(i) https://fkmunro.com/kindness/
(ii) https://fkmunro.com/2017/04/14/what-if-there-was-a-stage-five-to-cancer-and-it-was-positive/
(iii) See more about Fi's book and blog at: https://fkmunro.com/

Peter Starr on Yes to Life Show

Peter Starr, author and filmmaker, famous in the world of prostate cancer for his DVD set “Surviving Prostate Cancer without Surgery, Drugs or Radiation” (i) with 56 doctors from 8 countries on 3 continents. I haven’t managed to see the film so I was delighted to catch him on the Yes to Life, UK Health Radio Show last week. You can listen to the interview with Robin Daly at: https://www.ukhealthradio.com/player/?ep=21175

Peter was diagnosed in 2004, age 61 - I think he said Gleason 7 with a low PSA (not that that is always a useful measure - see my previous blog here). He opted out of traditional treatments, surgery, radiation, and drugs, and instead explored alternative methods to defeating his prostate cancer. In the process this led him to making the film which was frequently broadcast on Public Service Stations in the US. He also now says he doesn't think he would have had a biopsy had he known (see my blog on biopsies here).

Robert Verkerk PhD of the Alliance of Natural Health wrote of the DVDs in 2012 (ii), "When I eventually found the space to watch the movie, I quickly realised just what a feat Peter had accomplished. From the sheer amount of information and advice, from the quality, breadth and range of clinician, researcher and patient’s views amalgamated, to the immaculate  computer graphics used to help men to understand both how prostate cancer develops and how it is typically."

Peter Starr

In the interview with Robin Daly, Peter shared some of his journey with a complete change in his diet and lifestyle plus some of the new treatments since the film like HIFU and Photodynamic Therapy that are increasingly available. Peter is very soon to publish a up-to-date book 'Prostate Cancer: Why We Get It, What To Do About it’ (iii) which will present the latest developments in treating prostate cancer and apparently will lay out a case for avoiding traditional treatments. He is, however also very clear, as he says at the end of the DVD, “You can change the outcome of your disease by changing your lifestyle. But none of what you have learned from this documentary should take the place of consulting a qualified physician.”

Notes

(i) http://www.survivingprostatecancer.org/
(ii) https://www.anhinternational.org/2012/09/05/anh-intl-feature-documentary-on-prostate-cancer-essential-viewing-for-all-men-over-40/

(iii) Link to Peter’s new book: https://www.prostatecancerwhywhat.com/

Best three books when you are first diagnosed?

I’ve read lots and have many books looking at cancer from many different viewpoints, but these are my favourites in terms of helping plan how to deal/manage a cancer diagnosis. This blog is an update on a similar blog from a year or so ago.

Sophie Sabbage "The Cancer Whisperer” - Sophie was diagnosed with late stage 'incurable' lung cancer and embarked on an amazing journey of healing. The book covers her relationship with cancer, fear, guilt, her research, diet and more. I particularly loved the idea of 'cancer whispering’; instead of going to war with cancer we can learn from it and choose our own response to it. I’ve heard Sophie speak several times and have been fortunate to go on one of her workshops. I totally rate this book and have bought it for a number of others diagnosed with cancer, family and even my GP.  

Sophie says: 'This book is for the cancer patient who wants to remain a dignified, empowered human being even when your doctors and diagnosis are scaring the hell out of you. It is also for the cancer patient who has a hunch that there is something for them to learn, gain or even be transformed by - if they just knew how to relate to this disease differently to the way most of society does. It is for the cancer patient, perhaps any patient.'

Fi Munro "How Long Have I Got? The Story of a Terminal Cancer Patient" - this book has joined my top three books as it is not only full of positivity, I just love what she writes about and the way she sees the world. It is totally inspiring to me and I have taken lots from it on my own journey. However one warning is that it is a tough read; she tells it like it is and I know some folks would rather not know until they may have to face it.

Sophie Trew, founder of Trew Fields captures alot of what I feel: "Fi is a rare flashlight in the tunnel of illness. She shows it's possible to live an extraordinary life with cancer. She empowers, inspires and fills me with hope. We're all alive but how many of us are truly living? Fi's story could save lives and transform beliefs."

See more about Fi in my blog here: https://myunexpectedguide.blogspot.com/2020/02/fi-munro-time-to-live.html

Kelly A. Turner “Radical Remission, Surviving Cancer Against All Odds” - Dr. Kelly A. Turner’s research involved travelling to ten different countries to interview fifty holistic healers and twenty radical remission cancer survivors about their healing practices and techniques. Her research continued by interviewing over 100 Radical Remission survivors and studying over 1000 of these cases. Her evidence presents nine common themes that she believes may help even terminal patients turn their lives around. Each of those themes are worth consideration.

1. Radically changing your diet.
2. Taking control of your health.
3. Following your intuition.
4. Using herbs and supplements.
5. Releasing suppressed emotions.
6. Increasing positive emotions.
7. Embracing social support.
8. Deepening your spiritual connection.
9. Having strong reasons for living

What would you recommend?

Maybe I should take 'three' out of the title of this blog as there are many other books I'd like to add to this list (some of which are elsewhere in this blog!)- but hey these two are also useful:

Patricia Peat in her book, “The Cancer Revolution, Integrative Medicine, The future of cancer care” -  this one is a great overview of possible treatments and as the author writes it looks at 'integrating the best that medical science has to offer with a comprehensive, holistic approach that supports your body through whatever treatment you choose'. So if you are looking to compliment conventional treatment then this is a good place to start.

Chris Wark “Chris Beat Cancer” - Chris is a stage 3 colon cancer survivor who opted out of chemotherapy after surgery. He provides the toxin-free diet, lifestyle, and therapy guidelines he used to help himself heal. His strategies include a radical diet where he takes ‘massive action’ to heal plus lifestyle changes; and mental, emotional, and spiritual healing, as well as advanced integrative therapies. I love Chris’s can-do approach and also his regular videos which include in depth inspiring interviews with cancer survivors about their approaches.