Underwent mastectomy, lump was over 6cm and had spread to lymph glands.

Surgeon wanted me to have radiotherapy and chemotherapy but I opted for neither; I didn't meet the Oncologist, despite quite heavy pressure.

Radiotherapy for breast cancer directly caused my sister to get leukaemia (she's in complete remission now) and I had read quite a bit about chemo and alternative treatments by the time of my operation, so elected not to undergo anything which would kill off my immune system, but would instead support it.

Diagnosed 2013 with 6.8cm invasive ductal carcinoma (Stg. 3, Oes+): Mastectomy op.

It's now 2021, and I'm eight years cancer-free and feeling like a very different person to the one I was when I was diagnosed. I feel very much in tune with myself, with my feelings, my instincts and live life from a different, entirely positive perspective. I'm careful to stay in a mental place where I am essentially happy and grounded. I don't let others influence my opinions, and I feel at peace with the decisions I make. I believe all these things are very much a part of who I became as the result of my experience with cancer and, more pertinently, the road to my recovery and the processes I followed.

My cancer story is as follows:

I am medically trained and so elected to undergo surgery. However, radiotherapy can cause lung cancer/lead to skin cancer, and there has been shown to be a direct link between radiotherapy for treatment of breast cancer and leukaemia (I've read the medical research papers about it). Chemotherapy can shrink tumours, but it poisons the body and knocks off the immune system completely, and more importantly it cannot kill cancer stem cells. This is why cancer can come back despite chemotherapy. Interestingly, also, some oncologists turn to alternative medicine when they or their family are diagnosed with cancer, because they know their own field will not guarantee recovery (mumsnothavingcancer.com / Raymond Francis MSc "Never Fear Cancer Again").

The first thing I must stress is that your mental approach is absolutely KEY to recovery. I surrounded myself only with positive people, who care about and love me, and stopped seeing anyone who engendered negativity in me. For this reason, I was also careful about the way information was passed on about me and my circumstances. I always radiated extremely positive energy about my situation and my expected outcome. I felt this protected me from other people's possible negative responses and concerns.

Healing is about supporting the body and the mind, and finding spiritual peace - whatever that might mean to you.

You can learn to adopt a positive mental attitude and focus on health rather than illness (The Secret, Rhonda Byrne). Always look forward and visualise perfect health, both inside the body and in your future life.

KEY ADVICE:

1. Cut out SUGAR and DAIRY immediately: SUGAR promotes cancer cell division, is toxic and causes all manner of illnesses. It's been described as "like throwing oil on a burning fire" in relation to cancerous cells. Non-organic DAIRY contains IFG1 - a growth factor - added unnaturally by non-organic dairy farmers. This is done to rapidly and artificially grow calves for market. As you can imagine, it does the same to cancer cells in the human body. I am really strict in what I eat at home to compensate for whatever I might eat in the way of dairy in prepared foods when out socially.

- Limit/cut out WHEAT (see GreenMedInfo.com). My stomach flattened practically overnight, my IBS disappeared, and eating a largely vegetarian diet has made me look and feel glowing. Remember, add grains for energy.

IF I WERE EVER TO GET A NEGATIVE DIAGNOSIS DUE TO THIS REASON AGAIN...what would I do? Continue doing everything I do. Oxygenate more. Undergo intravenous Vitamin C therapy (Σ2,500) and iv Ozone therapy (Σ2,500); take Haelan.

And what are the things I am going to be looking into now, to increase my chances of continuing in future health? Continuing with healthy eating (cutting out meat, sugar in the form of anything sweet and especially wine, dairy and wheat). I will be following up having thermography, avoiding mammography (less invasive monitoring). And I plan to read as many positive, life-affirming books and websites as possible. Most of all, I will be maintaining a positive mindset and being grateful for having an amazing life. I will continue to trust my own instincts, build in time to be completely still and quiet (meditation), spend time doing all the things I love and not doing anything I don't want to do, and be open to learning new things.

SUPPLEMENTS, SOURCES AND PART OF MY DAILY HEALTH PLAN:

"Mum's Not Having Chemo" (mumsnothavingchemo.com) by Laura Bond. Laura's website and book have been completely instrumental in following my own instincts with regard to treatment. They are packed full of positive health information and tips, professional sources of follow-up and research, inspiring stories and based on Gemma Bond's ("Mum") journey from a diagnosis of uterine and ovarian cancer to complete remission.

Pro-Active Healthcare / pro-activehealthcare.co.uk (Ireland-based). I source the following from them:

- DIM (promotes the healthy absorption of oestrogen. There are two pathways for oestrogen in the body - the 16-hydroxy pathway is healthy, the 2-hydroxy pathway is not. DIM uses the 16-hydroxy pathway to process oestrogen. (One DIM tablet is equivalent to eating two pounds of raw green vegetables daily).

- Rejuvenate or Fulvic Acid

- Lypospheric Vitamin C (crucially, this goes straight to the liver, because this form of delivery bypasses the stomach and travels to the liver where toxins accumulate. Intravenous Vitamin C has been shown to cure cancer; lypospheric Vitamin C is a potent substitute if you are not being given it intravenously.

- Etheric Delivery Glutathione

- Alkalising Water Jug and Water Filters (it is now commonly known an alkaline balance in the body combats the inflammation which can cause cancerous conditions in the body. The alkalising filter eliminates heavy metals, chlorine and fluoride from tap water).

CancerTutor.com - AMALGAM FILLING REMOVAL / ROOT CANAL REMOVAL. A link has been found between the meridian in which root canals have been placed and where breast cancer is found. I had mine removed in London (Harley Street), using special equipment which blocks the mercury from re-entering the body. Additionally, this website is packed full of information and is a major source of easy reference on cancer and how to support regaining health through many researched and tested methods.

INFRA-RED SAUNA - saharavalley.co.uk. Hyperthermia removes toxins through sweat. However, it's important to know that heating the body has long been known to promote healing. Interestingly, I felt very cold all the time prior to when my diagnosis was made.

COLD-PRESS JUICER - bobbyshealthyshop.co.uk. I juice mainly green and root vegetables daily for fresh easy-to-digest enzymes. It is best to add only an apple to sweeten the juice; other fruits apparently have more of a negative impact on the enzymes.

REBOUNDER - amazon.co.uk (Urban Rebounder). The rebounder ensures lymph gets transported around the body and doesn't stay static in the armpits or chest area. This is important for post-operative mastectomy patients. They have a frame you can hold onto whilst you're getting used to rebounding and their exercise programmes are fun as well as effective.

YOGA - Tara Lee's DVD. Yoga is THE way to flatten your stomach, tone and stretch the body, fill you with a sense of well-being, and learning to breathe properly and deeply to oxygenate the body.

OXYGEN - Oxygenating the body is imperative, as cancer cannot thrive in an oxygenated body

Daily Supplements:

- IP-6 (works three ways against cancer)

- Lactoferrin

- Curcumin (chief component of turmeric, which is becoming increasingly known for its cancer-fighting properties)

Fish Oils/Omega Oils (cancer sufferers have been shown to be lacking in these)

Transdermal Magnesium Chloride

Essiac Tea

Mushroom Extract

Vitamin D3 (I take 10,000iu daily)

OptiZinc Methionine (good biological uptake)

Ocean's Alive "Life Energy"

High Five or High Six Vitamin B-Complex

Chlorella

Selenium

Multivtamin and Minerals (mineral deficiencies have been credited with causing every disease)

Co-Enzyme Q10

Antioxidant (containing Acai Berries and Flax Seed Oil)

Buying a Dehydrator

Sodium Bicarbonate (must be aluminium-free) - oxygenates

Hydrogen Peroxide: in the bath - 35%, a few drips in water (3%) - oxygenates

Epsom Salts (in the bath, they have been found to lessen the impact of heavy metals in the water)

Walking in nature: walking in the woods, by the sea, walking generally oxygenates the body, as well as calming the mind and creating an opportunity to be alone with your thoughts. I have found this to be really beneficial.

Rife Machine (energy waves - claims to knock off bacteria, eliminate toxins, sends out magnetic frequencies which are healing, you can find a list of frequencies online quite easily).

The one thing I have learned from all my research, reading and suppliers, etc. is that, because there are never any government-funded trials held on alternative medicine, it is impossible to really prove what system works, and we are all, of course, individuals for whom some things may work and some things not. There are professionals who can guide you (see Laura Bond's book, "Mum's Not Having chemo" for these, and Cancertutor.com) but I have taken on my own research and health care, and listened to my own instincts on what I do and don't wish to incorporate into my 'healing system'.

WEBSITES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:

GreenMedInfo.com / mumsnothavingchemo.com / cancertutor.com

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

Rhonda Byrne: The Secret (also the DVD is excellent) / Laura Bond's "Mum's Not Having Chemo" / Raymond Francis MSc's "Never Fear Cancer Again" / Louise Hay's "You Can Heal Your Life" / Linda Christina Beauregard "I Gave Myself Cancer, I Can Take It Away" / Patti Digh: "Life is a Verb" / Pam Grout: "E-Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality" / Jason Vale's "The Juice Master: Turbo Charge Your Life in 14 Days" (this is about a healthy positive attitude, not just about juice recipes) / Amber Shea Crawley: Practically Raw

2015: (2 1/4 year update) I have continued to find highly inspiring books, methods to increase my wellbeing and health and seen a counsellor trained by Brandon Bays' team (The Journey) which I believe has been a key factor in leaving the past behind and continuing the healing process. I have made myself a "sanctuary" at home (my son flew the nest and his room has been transformed into a soothing, relaxing place of rest and calm, for yoga, reading, meditation, sleep and rebounding).

I use music for its uplifting effects, and I am ultra careful about products (Lush make the most excellent moisturiser I've ever used, totally natural) and all natural sun protection cream I've made from an online recipe: red raspberry oil/carrot oil (30-50 SPF!!) coconut oil/shea butter/beeswax.

My approach has changed. I now no longer feel panicked and nervous, I feel calmer and in control of my health and wellbeing. I totally credit this with the books I read (particularly when having my coffee enema, which requires calm and when a meditative approach is possible): Anything by Dr Wayne Dyer (he's totally inspirational): You'll See It When You Believe It; Wishes Fulfilled; Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: The Power of Intention. Louise Hay/Ahlea Khadro/Heather Dane's: Loving Yourself to Great Health; Bruce Lipton PhD's The Biology of Belief (explains scientifically how the Law of Attraction works!); Anita Moorjani's Dying To Be Me (I was worried about reading something about dying but this is truly inspirational and not at all doom and gloom!); and Jack Canfield & Gay Hendricks' You've Got to Read This Book! (55 inspirational stories about books which have inspired the authors, most of whom are well-known and/or multimillionaires); I also read I Quit Sugar (Sarah Wilson) and Key To Yourself (Venice Bloodworth).

I believe good sleep is key, and I use a Rife Machine whilst I sleep every 2-3 days (all kinds of programmes, relaxation, lymph clearance, not just 'anti-cancer' channels).

I buy from Wholefood stores, organic ranges in country stores, and eat as much raw food as I can; my diet is 80% 'good choices' and up to 20% 'bad' (dessert, chocolate, wine). To achieve this, I am very strict with my diet at home, and mainly only 'cheat' when I eat out.

GROUNDING: (Clinton Ober) Theory that we have lost touch with the earth (shoes, carpets, etc.). Walking, sitting, standing barefoot for half an hour a day (or sleeping grounded) significantly lessens inflammation - a key component of cancer in the body. If you take away one lesson from me, I'd like it to be this one.

FOOTNOTE - 2018: I am now five years post surgery, keeping very well, still doing all the above. I still read every inspirational book I can find, and support myself with books which lead to meditation and consideration of how I can add value to everything I do and increase my self-esteem. I have added in Anita Moorjani's new book"What If This is Heaven" and Gabrielle Bernstein's "The Universe Has Your Back", amongst others. There are online meditations available in the latter and on Louise Hay's website. The reason meditation is so important, I believe, is that I am now utterly convinced that my cancer journey began due to lack of self-esteem and self-belief, rooted in childhood experiences, and continued throughout my life and career path, which meant daily challenges on a major scale. I now have developed the self-confidence to deal with any situation and challenge in a very different way, and recognise that it is of MAJOR importance to retain your own energy, your own breathing space (my sanctuary helps with this) and challenge anything and anyone who tries to control me; basically, to stand up for myself and my sense of self-worth. For instance, I left a job which didn't work for me, and am now a writer.

Reading my own story as written here, five years down the line, I am amazed at the strength I have shown and I am heartened by the fact I still continue with my healing path in putting my emotional health first and supporting it with strong mental practices and a physical healing programme which, whilst not quite as rigorously controlled, is still carried out with a thoughtful positive attitude. I now buy from a farm where the meat and poultry is grass fed, or buy organic, and we shop in a farm shop stocked with organic produce, which is still my first go-to. I am doing my best to avoid dairy (read Jane Plant CBE's books) and still use my juicer with every type of green I can find. The Rife machine is still in good use though I now don't have what were once three-day enemas at home, so that my body could adapt back to a regular bowel habit (2-3 dried fruits maintain healthy daily regularity).

I hope my healing story has been inspirational to even one person. I have learned that making yourself happy is key to health, and that we, as women, have often gone through disempowering circumstances which are remembered by the body long after the event has happened. Living a life focused on your own happiness as much as others, and acting in your own interests first, is the key to happiness; and I don't expect to get any form of illness or disease because there is no place for anything in my life which isn't life-affirming, uplifting and gives me that thrilling sense of being alive.

UPDATE: As of April 2020 Cassie is thriving post-diagnosis. Her update:

I have experienced no relapse; and no additional diagnoses since that time. I am still using everything I have posted about, though to a slightly lesser degree – I make the supplements last longer by having them every other day; and I particularly recommend DIM for the oestrogen-positive diagnosis. The only other supplement I plan to take shortly is Serenity – a bio-identical form of progesterone – for menopause, which I have chosen after careful consideration; I would not be eligible for HRT, my GP assures me. I have chosen this alternative by listening to my gut, as always, and feel confident in my choice. I have read my story once or twice since posting, and am always surprised by how confident and driven I was, at the time. I am sure this approach was the catalyst for my recovery. I would add that seeing one of Brandon Bays’ practitioners – for healing of whatever negative emotions were responsible for my cancer taking hold – was one of the KEY sources for dealing with what started this journey. I had issues dating back to my childhood, which resurfaced through a family drama, and I remember the feeling of hopelessness which came over me, and that I felt like I had had my right to life taken away from me. It was in my own head, but due to how I had been led to feel about myself as a child, which came with me throughout my life into adulthood. I am just as sure that this was the source of getting a potentially fatal breast cancer in the first place; and that once I had addressed this issue, there was no need for my body to ‘go back there’ again. I am happy for you to use this example in your Workshop/slideshow, as it is crucial that everyone understands that not only lifestyle is responsible for cancer; and that, in fact, it is very much a biological response to an emotional trigger. Dealing with that emotional trigger has helped me to move on. Brandon Bays’ book explains how she overcame her own cancer. Reading books by previous sufferers who have healed themselves is also KEY to recovery, I would say.

UPDATE: As of May 2022 I am thriving in health!

I am very well. I continue to take DIM (thins the blood and processes oestrogen in a healthier way, as it replicates the effect of two pounds of green vegetables in the system, which are known to help fight cancer). I take a “Feel” multivitamin daily (unprocessed health-giving supplements which do make a difference to how I feel). I am very fond of my Melatonin tablets – recommended to me very early on, to help with good quality sleep, and which is produced by the body at night if you are sleeping in complete darkness. If you don’t currently sleep in blackout conditions, you need to rectify that, and take Melatonin, which has been shown to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

Since my illness, my daughter and my son have rescued some Spanish hunting dogs, and they keep me on my toes, with regular (fast!) walks keeping up with them; so I get regular daily exercise walking for at least half an hour to an hour. I am now a published author and spend my days very creatively fulfilled, writing my first fictional screenplay. I still read a lot, and have found it valuable to continue reading books which are about positive reinforcement of the thought process. Carving out that bit of time to focus, and to appreciate everything you have in life – and to reaffirm everything you desire for life going forward – should not be underestimated. I am very choosy about what I listen to or read in the news; and the TV I watch. If a programme is making me feel anxious or oppressed, I will listen to my gut and switch over if it’s not supportive to wellbeing. You don’t have to put up with feelings being inflicted on you; you need to choose them for yourself and be prepared to change the situation around you if it is not in your best interests. Be pro-active; it matters. From childhood to the point at which I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I had been conditioned – or, perhaps more correctly, allowed myself to be conditioned – to treat others and their opinions as more important. It was even encouraged by society, as a young woman, and is now, thankfully, and at long last, being recognised and addressed.

You may be surprised to learn that I have chosen to take HRT – BUT this is the healthy, body-identical form, obtained from Dr Louise Newson’s team. I read very widely about it first, and was interviewed by one of their specialist GPs before they would prescribe. I had always been led to believe HRT was dangerous for a previous breast cancer sufferer; but I feel happy that this type is far safer than the synthetic general HRT prescribed (or not, in the current supply crisis) to women by a GP who does not have the additional training which Dr Newson’s team undergo. So far there have been no negative effects, but very positive ones. I also get checked out periodically, by the GP, if I have any concerns. I will address these immediately (I left my cancer too long the first time, with the result of having a mastectomy). I will now ask directly for only an ultrasound, not a mammogram, because I still avidly avoid radiation to the breast whenever I can; it has been known to cause cancer. In my experience, a mammogram is always followed by ultrasound, if there are concerns….so why would I have a mammogram (i.e. radiation) if they are going to perform a non-invasive procedure like an ultrasound anyway? So I insist only on the one procedure in follow-up to any concerns.

Is there anything else I would tell your readers? I would say that it is important to focus on the future – and, by that, I mean on a future. When I received my diagnosis, it was easier to start writing letters to my children to ‘save for later’, and I know how it feels to have to shift your thinking process continually, in order to move forwards from the point of diagnosis, without fear dogging your thoughts every minute. I have now reached the point – yesterday, in fact – where I had a mastectomy ten years ago; unbelievable! Oh, and I have only just remembered this…so you can see that it isn’t important to me, in my life, to maintain that memory, whether of a date, or procedure, or the angst which went with it. In fact, I believe it’s very important not to, and to move on as quickly as possible. I did undergo a reconstruction operation in 2016 – three years after the mastectomy – and this made a huge difference to how I felt about my body, so I do recommend it, even though you may be feeling that you’ve had enough of surgery and recovery. The reconstruction obviously did away with the inconvenience and frustration of wearing a prosthesis, and I can be fairly adventurous in the clothing I now wear; you’d never know anything had been done to my cleavage. I have periodic nipple tattooing – it’s free if you have this under tuition by students; or is a not unreasonable cost if you go to the expert privately.

Although there is a reminder every day, when dressing, that your body has been ‘tampered with’ or ‘reinvented’ – depending upon how you view it – I guess it’s fair to say I’m living proof that you can get through this extremely challenging and frightening event in your life; and it is an event – and a big one – as you will know. It takes a lot out of you, on every level. I found my fear replaced by determination very quickly. I was able to face down a consultant intent on pushing me into radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and was glad I had made this decision, supporting the body through a healing process through supplements, yoga, healthy thoughts and a deep-seated counselling process, as well as reading totally inspiring books whilst I underwent coffee enemas every third day, at home. It was the right choice for me….but I was medically trained (a medical secretary) and was able to read research papers and do massive amounts of research online, find no end of websites and articles dedicated to natural remedies. I read every book I could find, with relevance to my ‘condition’, and supported my mind by reading those books which supported my positive thinking. Do not underestimate Rhonda Byrne’s books, The Magic or The Secret. I found Dr Wayne Dyer’s writing inspirational, and in particular Anita Moorjani’s Dying To Be Me. Anita was at death’s door, all her organs were failing, but following her near death experience, she came back with a very clear pro-life, pro-me attitude, and proved that this attitude of self-love is powerful enough to completely cure even the most advanced disease process.

I would advise your readers that it’s important to take an approach which you firmly believe in, when choosing your healing process. It’s not about anyone else. Don’t be swayed by other people’s concerns, or even their sympathy. Hold tight to what you believe. What I did – in using healing modalities which instinctively felt right for me, and having only surgery and not radio or chemotherapy – may not feel right to everyone. I underwent surgery, after all – but I believed in surgery (as a medical secretary, I knew it would cut out the threatening growing cancerous process and then it was up to me to continue to support a bodily process which had been altered, or ‘corrected’, from that point on). I was inspired to go down this route by books such as Mum’s Not Having Chemo and especially Never Fear Cancer Again. Thousands of people choose the natural pathway to support the body’s healing process; it’s not so few as you think. For me, maybe the most important aspect of the entire healing process was spending a couple of hours with a Brandon Bays counsellor, who helped me to focus intensely on visualising the cancer process in my body completely disappearing; and to address the issues which had long been suppressed and, I feel, were responsible for that cancer growth/mutation in the first place. Yoga was an important addition to this afterwards, giving me space to think and feel, and just breathe oxygen very deeply, which is also healing; for the body, and the mind. Oxygenation of the body is so important.

A key factor in overcoming cancer is to remember that the body – each cell – listens to the mind. The power of the thought process should not be underestimated. Repeating positive phrases about yourself – positive affirmations – or about your life, your strength to deal with any health issue, and just generally being in a ‘glass half full’ state of mind has a phenomenal impact on your mood and therefore your body’s ability to heal and recover. If you have issues eating away at you in your mind, which resurface frequently as regret, or anger, frustration, etc., it is significant that these are dealt with. Dig deep to resolve these thought processes, deal with the issues. This is easier than you think: it’s one thought away. Actively work on building your self-esteem by challenging yourself in small ways. Foster self-belief. The most important thing I’ve found is…to forgive. That means everyone you know who has ever hurt or harmed you, whether verbally or physically, or emotionally. It also includes forgiving yourself for anything you wish you hadn’t done; or wish you had. I found this to be the most important factor of all in fighting cancer – which appears to be a result of a combination of a lack of quality nutrition, lack of oxygenation (i.e. exercise – walking, etc.) but most of all deep-seated hurt and anger. I would say ask anyone – and they may already know, deep inside, that they are hurt or angry about someone or something, and realise already that this will have contributed to their cancer diagnosis. It’s instinctive.

Last of all, I do feel for you. I know what you are going through, I’ve been there. But I also know that it’s possible to come through this. I would advise that you don’t watch anything which focuses on cancer. It’s not helpful to your mental wellbeing. It will make you feel you’re a victim, and it will disincentivise you; you’ll feel that it’s too challenging to overcome. It’s not. If you listen to your inner voice you will know instinctively which processes to follow, what feels right for you. We are all different, and you need to focus on yourself, totally. I didn’t tell everyone about my cancer in the first instance; I chose who I wanted to know, because I didn’t want to be surrounded by too much dread and fear; I wanted to surround myself with positivity…and I knew that totally involved just myself and my own thought processes. You also need to learn to plan like you’ve never planned before: long into the future, as well as plans to enjoy in the short-term. Stay focused – it’s all about what you’ll be doing tomorrow; then next week, next month; what holidays you want to take, what ambitions you want to fulfil. Aim for particular events; I have seen this keep people alive. Then when the event has passed, put something else in your diary if there’s nothing already up and coming. Don’t give up at the end of your milestones. Keep going forwards, forget the past and go through the present moment to moment. Moments pass. Try not to discuss cancer if it fills you with fear – which it will, of course, it always feels like an insurmountable hurdle. If you keep channelling your emotions into fear, you’ll find it magnified and you’ll become desperate…and all because you’ve been focusing on one negative aspect of your life when you could be making plans for the future that encourage and fulfil you. Think about the positives – the great health you have been enjoying up until now, and the great health you will be enjoying when this ‘episode’ has passed. Remember that you – and only you – control your thought processes, and you are able to challenge thoughts and immediately change them. One way of doing this is through the positive feelings comedies instil in you. Watch films, TV programmes, etc. that uplift you – find things to laugh about every day, a real belly-laugh if possible. Try to approach every minute, every second, with the intention of enjoying it. This type of habit will help you continue on your healing path. We all need to focus on honouring our own needs and looking after ourselves above all else, particularly at this time, and forgetting worries and anxiety for a moment filled with laughing is an authentic way of telling the body that everything is all right; that you believe you can get better.