Janette Murray-Wakelin is a breast cancer survivor who credits a raw food diet, meditation, physical activity, and following her intuition for her ability heal. In the early 2000s, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer and told that she had just six months to live, without any guarantees. However, within those same six months, she was given a clean bill of health and also went on to participate in hundreds of marathons in only one year.(1,2) That’s right, in just one year.

She explains that she was offered chemotherapy, but that it “didn’t make sense” to her.(1)

“I was already compromised, so why would I compromise myself further so I’d get another six months of being sick?”(1) Rather than embrace what she calls a “very fear-driven” mindset that many doctors create in such a situation, she shunned their chemo and radiation recommendations in favor of alternative methods that she felt were significantly wiser and healthier choices. “Most people go with what their doctor says because they don’t realize that they can take responsibility and control themselves,” Murray-Wakelin says.(1)

The Decision to Walk Away from Traditional Cancer Treatments

So, without hesitation, she walked away from traditional cancer treatments and started asking herself what she could put in her body to make a difference. What made the most sense to her was to enjoy a diet filled with high-nutrient, living foods.(1)

Australia resident Murray-Wakelin, who was a vegetarian at the time of her diagnosis — something she says worked in her favor, making her better poised to fight her breast cancer and respond to juicing — had always been interested in fitness and health. However, she believes that accidental exposure to high-chemical substances that got on her skin and being in an area where she was exposed to toxic levels of pollution led to her diagnosis.(1)

Upon receiving news of her breast cancer, she immediately immersed herself in research and read up on others who chose to forego traditional cancer treatments. Referring to many books and studies that have a slew of side effects and questionable results listed, she notes that “…the smaller the print got, the more it became obvious that this was not the thing to do.”(1) Instead, she turned to the book The Breuss Cancer Cure by Rudolph Breuss, doing a 42-day juice fast based on its writings.(1)

Healing Foods for Breast Cancer Recovery

For her particular situation, the fast included several healthy foods from the Brassicaceae family such as beet root, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.(1) After 42 days, she added other foods such as carrots and green apple to her juices.

Wheat grass was also a must, helping to rid harmful cells. “Cancer cannot survive in an oxygenated environment, therefore the more oxygen I could pump into the body through exercise, conscious breathing and drinking wheat grass, the better,” she says.(2) She says that the idea was to starve her cancer while at the same time, provide the body with nothing but essential nutrients to keep it going strong.(1)

Why Staying Physically Active Keeps Cancer at Bay

As for fitness, she explains that doctors told her to take it easy and to stop running. “So, the first thing I did,” she says with a laugh, “was increase my distance.”(1) Once again, she stresses the importance of how cancer cells can not thrive in an oxygenated environment, which is why she felt exercising more and not less, was essential.

Just how active has she been?

In 2013, her and her husband ran 365 marathons for 365 consecutive days throughout the year. On January 1, 2014, they ran one more which set a new world record for the most consecutive marathons.(3) By the way, they’re both in their sixties! They say their 100% raw vegan plant-based diet, awareness of sustainability, and faith in human kindness and healing naturally keeps them motivated.(3) Barefoot shoes, they add, help too.

She describes having tons of energy and feeling “fantastic.”(2)

“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that consuming 100% raw food made a huge difference to my recovery time and to my overall healing,” she says.(2) “My diagnosis of cancer and resulting journey to optimum health has been an experience I am truly grateful for. I know for certain that I will continue on the raw path, as I continue to experience more health benefits and an ever-increasing enlightened consciousness. Every day is exciting when you are raw!”

Sources for this article include:

(1) https://www.youtube.com/

(2) http://www.rawcancure.com/

(3) http://www.runningrawaroundaustralia.com/