Member-only story
Heavy Metal Detox
Since chemo adds toxins I need to sauna
Back in 2004, I was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer and given 6 months to live. That was a devastating thing to hear when you are only in your mid-30s. However, I had probably been exposed to toxins, which can increase the likelihood of cancer, since I was born in Bombay and grew up in New York City. I also had a lot of stress early in life, which can also lead to cancer. Finally, I was clinically obese at the time, which is a risk factor.
The reason inflammatory breast cancer is so deadly — it is very aggressive. And because I was so young, it was even worse. 85% of those who are diagnosed with this type of cancer died within 18 months back then. Given my age, my doctor’s grim predictions were probably realistic.
The fact that, almost 20 years later, I am still alive surprises oncologists that when I tell them what type of cancer I had. They don’t believe me, which never fails to amuse me. They have to see my medical records.
One strategy that probably helped me survive — I started doing saunas 3 times a week.
A wonderful woman, the owner of a local health food store I frequented, offered me free use of her one-person infrared sauna for half hour sessions. She also offered that to another of her customers, a man fighting cancer…