F the C Word.
Apparently February 4th is World Cancer Day. For many people, this day is a reminder of the relentless fight against this disease that has no doubt affected someone in your life. For me, it’s something that has had a looming presence in my life since I was 15. My older sister was diagnosed when she was just 26, and two years later, my dad at 58. High school wasn’t all about school dances and going out with friends; much of it was spent in waiting rooms, hospitals, and learning how to navigate an illness that has no cure, no mercy, and doesn’t care if you’re a good person or not.
Back then, there weren’t many conversations happening about options beyond the standard of care: chemo and radiation. We trusted the medical system because that’s what we knew. But as we spent more time researching and meeting others who were looking outside the conventional treatments, we started to ask: What else could we do while my sister and dad were undergoing treatment? That’s when we found something that felt both ancient and revolutionary: Food.
Food was a love language in my house. Every birthday, we got to choose our dinner, lovingly prepared by my mom. I grew up eating home-cooked meals made with love and I feel so lucky for it. Food was more than just fuel; it was family, culture, and tradition. But all of this taught me something that would forever change the way I saw food: what we eat directly influences our metabolic health, which plays a huge role in disease prevention. Obesity, insulin resistance, chronic inflammation—these conditions increase the risk of many diseases, including cancer. Food is a powerful tool that can be both joyful and preventative.
At first, I thought my path was in medicine. I went into college pre-med, ready to become a doctor, thinking that was the best way to help people heal. But after experiencing the medical world firsthand—seeing its limitations, its focus on treatment over prevention—I realized there was another way. Witnessing my sister and dad’s journeys, I saw how much power existed in the choices we make every day, especially when it comes to food and lifestyle. That’s what led me to become a dietitian. I wanted to help people before illness dictated their path, to give them the tools to support their health in a way that conventional medicine often overlooks.
The reality is, cancer affects us all.
Did you know that 40% of people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime? And the rise in cancer diagnoses isn’t just happening in older adults anymore. The number of young people—those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s—being diagnosed with cancer is increasing. It’s a scary statistic. But it’s not meant to frighten you. It’s meant to wake you up.
My story is not unique. It could happen to you or someone you love. And that’s why I’m here: To remind you that it’s never too soon to take care of your health. To prevent disease, to be proactive, and to nourish your body long before anything comes up on the medical charts. It’s about creating a foundation of health that’s not only about surviving cancer—it’s about thriving before it happens.
Fast forward to today, and my sister is once again facing cancer. It’s been almost 15 years since her initial diagnosis, and while the years have passed, the world of medicine has evolved very little. Too many of the same close-minded medical professionals are still sticking to their narrow protocols, without curiosity for exploring the other healing options that are out there. So, while the doctors focus on their prescribed treatments, we’ve taken the responsibility to search for other ways to support her. It’s not just about fighting a disease, it’s about healing. It’s about calling the body back into balance—supporting it with what it needs to thrive again, like tending to a garden.
But none of this would be possible without the support of a team. And that’s something I’ve learned over the years: You don’t have to do it alone. In fact, it’s critical to build a team of providers who understand and support your vision for healing. For us, that includes a mix of traditional and alternative care.
It’s not just about the oncologist. It’s about building a team that understands the full picture of your health. We’ve been working with a functional doctor, a naturopath, a dietitian (me), a therapist, a lymphatic therapist, and others who help us address not just the cancer, but the entire body—mind, spirit, and all the systems in between. We know that healing is multidimensional, and no single provider can address it all.
If you’re interested in learning more, here are some books and resources that have deeply influenced my approach to cancer prevention and healing:
Starving Cancer Without Starving Yourself by Jane McLelland
The Metabolic Approach to Cancer by Dr. Nasha Winters and Jess Higgins Kelley
Good Energy by Casey Means, MD
Radical Remission by Kelly A. Turner, PhD
Keto for Cancer by Miriam Kalamian
These books didn’t just teach me—they called me into action. They confirmed something I’ve always known deep down: My purpose is to help people wake up to the power they have over their health, to take back control, and to find ways to nourish their bodies in a way that can prevent disease before it starts. This is not just about surviving—this is about living fully, mindfully, and intentionally.
When I first started on this path, I didn’t realize how much I’d be called to share this knowledge, to empower others to take their health into their own hands, and to question the conventional wisdom we’re often given. But now, as I watch my sister walk this journey, I know this is why I’m here: to help others see what they can do to take control of their health, prevent disease, and heal themselves.
If you’re reading this and you’ve ever been the person supporting someone on the front lines, whether it’s cancer or any other illness, know that you are playing an important role too. It’s easy to forget that your well-being matters in the process, but it does. Taking care of yourself—not just physically but emotionally—is critical too. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
The journey to health is almost never linear. It’s overwhelming as hell. Especially when you try to go against the grain and do it your own way. But the truth is, even the smallest steps we take can create meaningful change. We don’t have to have it all figured out right now; we just need to start where we are.
Every new thing you learn, every new person you meet, every habit you add—it all makes a difference. By nourishing our bodies with food that supports us, by finding practices that help us be present and heal, and by building communities of support, we begin to reclaim our health. It’s not about perfection or following a single path—it’s about showing up for ourselves every day, and making choices that align with our well-being.
You are the greatest project you will ever work on—your health is worth the effort, and every small step matters.
With love,
Nora