Anti-Cancer, a New Way of Life: review

Cancer changes life. I found this book while undergoing treatment for breast cancer.  After I had undergone a lumpectomy and radiation treatments, I wanted to learn more about cancer and more important, be a part of my own healing.

Dr. David Servan-Schreiber*, was a physician and scientist, wrote Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life to share his experiences with cancer, and what he learned as a result of his ordeal. He was at the top of a successful career as a psychiatrist and research scientist when he discovered by chance that he had a malignant brain tumor. After receiving his unwelcome diagnosis and undergoing the treatment for disease, he found that his physicians could not answer many of his questions regarding what he might do to increase his own ability to fight the cancer.

His thesis is simple: All of us have cancer cells in our bodies, but not all of us will develop cancer.
What are the factors that contribute to the formation of this disease, and what if anything can we do to prevent cancer or discourage it if we already have it?

Dr. Servan-Schreiber shared his journey, research, and what he learned about diet, environment, emotions, stress and lifestyle and how these factors can influence the body's immune response.

He concluded that the causes of cancer are similar to the causes of other chronic diseases, including unhealthy diet high in sugar and fat, exposure to toxins and pollution, high stress lifestyle, lack of exercise, and the loneliness of modern life for many people.  His focus is holistic, looking at the connections between the body, mind and spirit.

I realized that I needed to make significant changes in my life. I had been living at a distance from my family that made it difficult to see them often, so I moved to where they live.

I was disappointed that Dr. Servan-Schreiber has no religious beliefs though, as I personally believe that religious faith can be a strong factor in health and well-being. But overall this is a positive, encouraging book.

The anti-cancer diet is based on the Mediterranean diet.  It is primarily plant-based, including 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. It is low glycemic, and also high in omega-3 foods.

Dr. Servan-Schreiber strongly recommended foods that are high in anti-oxidants, but he did not discuss nutritional supplements as a factor in getting enough anti-oxidants.

I found that trying to get enough anti-oxidants and omega-3 fatty acids through my diet alone was complicated.  So I also take a comprehensive nutritional supplements which include mega antioxidants, chelated minerals, and omega 3 fatty acids.

Adopting the anti-cancer diet and lifestyle along with taking nutritional supplements daily has markedly improved my health, given me more energy and greater immunity to colds and flu.

*David Servan-Schreiber (April 21, 1961 – July 24, 2011)^[1] was a French physician, neuroscientist and author. He was a clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.^[2] He was also a lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine of Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1. (from Wikipedia)