Chris Beat Cancer: A Comprehensive Plan for Healing Naturally

by Chris Wark

Colon cancer survivor who opted out of chemotherapy after surgery provides the toxin-free diet, lifestyle, and therapy guidelines he used to help himself heal.

Two days before Christmas and at 26 years old, Chris Wark was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. He had surgery to remove a golf ball-sized tumor and a third of his colon. But after surgery, instead of the traditional chemotherapy, Wark decided to radically change his diet and lifestyle in order to promote health and healing in his body. In Chris Beat Cancer, Wark describes his healing journey, exposes the corruption and ineffectiveness of the medical and cancer industries, and shares the strategies that he and many others have used to heal cancer. These strategies include adopting the Beat Cancer Mindset; radical diet and lifestyle changes; and mental, emotional, and spiritual healing, as well as advanced integrative therapies. Dually packed with an emotional punch and extensive healing solutions, Chris Beat Cancer will inspire and guide you on your own journey toward wellness.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Food, Medical, Memoir, Self Help, Audiobook

312 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There weren't many new revelations for me, as I've been aware of the link between cancer and nutrition/health for over a decade, but I think this book will be particularly helpful for those beginning the "reeducation" process. It's a perfect starting place—a good mix of inspiration and research, personal story and practical applications. I have already bought several copies for friends recently given cancer diagnoses, and/or who suffer from chronic illness.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a huge fan of Chris Wark since I accidentally found him when searching for cancer info when my mother in law was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago. I couldn’t get enough of his blog and just devoured everything on there! At the time, this was all new information to me and it was so foreign from what I was seeing an hearing elsewhere. I actually started juicing for myself and my husband shortly after and still juice to this day! The juicing has helped our energy levels as well as my husbands fibromyalgia among other things. I am so glad Chris is doing the work he is doing despite the fact that many resist it or choose not to believe it!

That being said, when I saw that Chris was writing a book I was so excited that I pre-ordered this book! I read this book slowly in order to digest all of the wonderful information. This book not only tells his own cancer story, but also shares with the reader how to heal yourself. This book is inspiring not only for the cancer patient but also for anyone looking to live a healthy lifestyle.

***I think everyone should read this book!!! And I highly recommend!!***

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chris is clearly a devout Christian and I sense that his religious faith interferes with his ideas about science. At one point he asserts that science isn’t always true. That’s where he lost me. Granted, I’m a devout atheist who happens to have breast cancer. My cancer mindset is that of a researcher and, as such, I’ve come to strongly believe, as Neil DeGrasse Tyson has said, that “the great thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe it.” For something to be called scientific, it has gone through vetted trials and process. The same cannot be said about religious faith. I recommend LIFE OVER CANCER by Dr. Keith Block as an alternative to this book that comes from a truly integrative approach.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wark spends nearly the first half of this book bashing on the medical profession, mostly those who deal in oncology. He throws around percentages and statistics to support his claim that traditional cancer therapies don’t work. Unfortunately, his numbers just don’t add up.

While Wark chose not to do chemotherapy and instead chose to change his lifestyle with diet and exercise, his master plan is rather extreme. Living on only fruits and vegetables is not sustainable for most people (even his nutritionist suggested that add in some grains and animal products). While I believe that there is a lot of benefit to eating a healthier diet and exercising more intentionally, I feel like Wark’s plan is off-putting to the average person, making it feel unattainable. A better book would have steps listed to help the person achieve their goal.

I don’t know that I would recommend this to someone facing cancer.

[Stephen Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I’ve ever read related to health and nutrition and I read it only for one purpose, which was to find out how to fight the cancer I was recently diagnosed with. However, it was quite my surprise that this New York Times best seller was so clear about his faith, clearly articulating the gospel and devoting a whole chapter to having faith in God in the midst of the trial of cancer.

Most of the book is very dense and well researched, which also makes it very convincing. I am now full on Chris’ plan and we will see how it pans out. Therefore, this book is having far more life-shaping than most.

There were ultimately two convincing circumstances that lead me to embrace following the natural way of battling cancer. The first was that my mom was cooking from his cook book and brought it to our house before I knew I had cancer. I do not believe this was mere coincidence but instead God’s Providence which leads me to my next striking example. This came in the earliest pages of the book which Chris specifically cites God’s providence in his word selection for his story and he then illustrates choosing to fight cancer naturally through a series of providential encounters. The doctrine that has most shaped my life in the past three years now is the doctrine of providence, which I believe desperately needs to be recovered by the church in everyday life. The fact that I came across this book in providence and that Chris himself specifically cites providence and exemplifies this in his own decision making I believe is God’s clarity in direction to follow the same path. We will see where it leads.

[Penny Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you ready to take control of your health? Chris Beat Cancer: A Comprehensive Plan For Healing Naturally by Chris Wark is so much more than just another health book—it’s like having coffee with a good friend. Chris was diagnosed with stage IIIc colon cancer at the age of twenty–six. He had surgery, but instead of doing the nine to twelve months of chemotherapy he was told he had to do, he used nutrition and natural therapies to heal from the cancer that had already spread to his lymph nodes. Now, in 2018, he has been cancer free for fifteen years. Chris shares his story candidly and boldly, his conversational tone making his book not only relatable, but gripping.

When I read a health book, I want to know if it’s legitimate, or just someone’s opinion. Rest assured, this book is the former. Chris has certainly done his homework—his research comes from reputable peer-reviewed scientific studies and medical journals. He also makes certain to “follow the money” before accepting study results as fact—who funded the study, and is there a conflict of interest? On his website, ChrisBeatCancer.com, Chris has also interviewed over fifty cancer survivors who have healed from their cancer through natural methods—primarily plant-based nutrition. The bottom line? Chris’s healing was not the result of luck—the nutritional and natural approach he used has been tried and tested numerous times, and it works.

In addition to explaining exactly what he did to heal cancer, Chris explains that most cancers are a result of lifestyle and toxicity around us, rather than just bad luck or genetics, as was previously believed. The pitfalls of the cancer industry are also explored. Other topics covered include how nutrition fights cancer, helpful supplements, exercise, getting rid of toxins, why chemo doesn’t cure cancer, eliminating stress, and spiritual healing to highlight a few.

I found it refreshing that Chris paid attention to the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—in his book. I also admired his candor in sharing his faith. For example, Chris prayed that God would lead him in the path of healing, and the next day he received a book on nutrition. Chris also talked about how spending time with God in prayer, reading the Bible, and listening to worship music gave him peace in the midst of his cancer journey, and how he found God to be faithful. Chris did not leave out this component of his story, but he was not preachy either, explaining his faith graciously and honestly.

Chris Beat Cancer is like a distillation of all of the free information available on his website of the same name. It’s also a great synopsis of his Square One healing cancer coaching program, a series of video modules that he has made free once a year for the past number of years. The bottom line is that there is hope! Even though I do not have cancer, I must admit that after reading his book, I was incredibly inspired to live a healthier lifestyle, and have since found myself eating way more fruits and veggies, and getting rid of toxic products in my home.

I highly recommend Chris Beat Cancer. Chris’s research is reputable and uses evidence-based scientific studies. His methods have been tried and proven. He doesn’t focus only on the physical, but addresses important issues like stress and faith as well. This leads me to give the book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. So, ask yourself this question again—Are you ready to take control of your health? If so, Chris’s book can help you along your way.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third book I’ve read on cancer and I would say it is the best one. He ties his story into information that easy to digest and understand. Although his method of juicing and raw vegan diet goes against everything I know and believe about nutrition, people are using it and no longer have cancer (No Evidence of Disease). I do think he could explain more about the technical side of nutrition and what specifically meat does to cause cancer to grow. I found that information in a different book. I’m thankful for his work and gift he has given to people in this book.

[Kaytlin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very informative read, and I loved that it was also from a Christian perspective. I've known about Chris Wark and this book for years as mom read it years ago....it's a great starting point for anyone interested in natural health whether you have cancer or not.

[Amelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a whole, the eponymous Chris Beat Cancer is an amazing, and convicting, story of a young man who healed his aggressive cancer. Amazing in how Chris swung the trajectory of his habits and experienced a wonderful, complete recovery from stage IIII colon cancer. Convicting in how Chris waded into mounds of research and dramatically changed his lifestyle, choosing to peel back the layers of “acceptable” standards of health and life in America and take an active role in his health instead of passively sitting back.

Each chapter in Chris Beat Cancer is concise and accessible, containing numerous subheadings, myriad factoids, and loads of compelling research. I closed the book with a renewed resolve to analyze my habits and commit to thorough research so I can steward my body to the best of my ability, to the glory of God.

While much of the research was intriguing, compelling, and seemingly sound, I felt as though the number of endnotes was a bit minimal for this type of book. A few of the claims felt a bit one-sided to me (for example, I would have enjoyed an acknowledgement of some of the known benefits of consuming animal products instead of claiming they’re entirely unhealthy). Also, I was unsure what I thought about some of the mindset advice, so I'd have to do a lot more thinking and research of my own.

There are many great things about Chris Beat Cancer and there are some things that certainly necessitate a sharp eye while reading. Overall, though, it’s very well worth a read because of its inspiration and exhortation to commit to a healthy lifestyle and active research. And it truly has excellent counsel for how to fight cancer holistically and effectively.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author makes some excellent points and most of it is common sense (though there’s much well-supported research). Take care of your body with real food, daily exercise, and less stress — basically the opposite of how we’ve been conditioned growing up in the US — and you’ll solve a myriad health problems.

[Nei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think most health influencers in the social media use this book as a source. It is impressive how the links to studies or other books researched for this brilliant book are 100 pages long.

The book reminded me of Deadly Medicine of Peter Gotzsche which I read beforehand, and had a sort of reality check on the pharma industry and its profit making purpose.

I had a moment of doubt when he mentioned he quit animal foods for good, but then I understood it was just for the initial 90 days of his diet.

Striking how many similarities there are with the diet suggested within and the diet from The Candida cure of Ann Boroch, thus making me ponder if there are any links in between cancer and fungus infection.

Wonderful resource full of good advices to adopt irrespective of one’s health status.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t have cancer but a close family member just finished chemo for her cancer. I would love for her to live a long life and I think that the author’s advice is good. I told her about this book and hope she reads it. I found Chris’s story to be interesting and I liked how honest he was about his faith journey. A lot of people would leave that part out, but I’m glad he included it in his story.

[Gold Dust · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of the stuff in the book I already knew about from watching Chris’ Square One videos years ago, as well as from the Truth about Cancer docuseries. But I read the book anyway. Chris was diagnosed with colon cancer at the young age of 26. He probably got it because he had mercury exposure in his childhood (from broken thermometers) (175). Only a small part of the book is about his own cancer story. The majority of the book is his advice for how to heal cancer, backed up by cited scientific studies.

Chris’ strategies and tips to prevent cancer from returning after surgery:
Acupuncture
Chiropractic
Rolfing (structural integration therapeutic massage)
Rebounding (trampoline)
Reduce harmful EMF exposure (181).
Get 8 hours of sleep, and try to rise with the dawn
Sun exposure in moderation (197)
*Exercise in moderation. “The average elite athlete dies by age 67, nine years before the average American couch potato, who has a life expectancy of about 78” (190). “Extreme exercise creates excessive physical stress on the body that can suppress your immune system for up to 72 hours after each workout, increasing your risk of infections. A 2.5 hour run can drop your natural killer cell count by 50%” (191).
*Taking responsibility for his health, including accepting that his cancer may be his fault (“Accepting the blame is taking responsibility. Taking responsibility for your circumstance empowers you to take control of your life and to change for the better” [95]. “Heredity and genetics are easy scapegoats, but fewer than 5% of cancers are genetic, and not everyone with a ‘cancer gene’ develops cancer. Genes may load the gun, but your diet, lifestyle, and environment pull the trigger” [96].)
*Determination: “What keeps people going when their motivation is low is determination. Determination is the force inside you that cannot be stopped, even when the storms of life come against you. Determination is doing what you know needs to be done, whether or not you feel like it at the time” (98).
Using ceramic or glass cookware instead of metal (118)
Filter out chlorine and fluoride from tap water, and avoid drinks with bromine in them like soda/sports drinks (168).
*Stress less; make sure to get at least one day per week off work (207). Stress is the one thing all people will cancer have in common (210, 213). Forgive your enemies and let God into your life (214-215). Sing and laugh; these boost your immune system and reduce stress (216).
*Avoid these ingredients in body care products: coal tar, fragrance, resorcinol, parabens, phthalates, petroleum distillates, BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), polyethylene glycol (PEGs) and other polyethylene compounds, vitamin A compounds (retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate), formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers (bronopol, DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidzaolidinyl urea, quaternium-15), triclosan and triclocarban (171-173).
*Fast - it kills cancer (183). Or do the five-day “fasting mimicking diet” or ProLon Diet which has the same benefits as fasting but doesn’t require you to stop eating (184).
*When you eat, make it a plant-based meal (105-124). “10 servings per day of fruits and vegetables are considered ideal for cancer prevention; cancer healing may require more” (143). Buy organic (165). Eat an early dinner and go to bed on an empty stomach. Eat all meals within an 11 hour window or less (204).
*Juicing, which extracts massive amounts of nutrients from fruits and vegetables without having to chew through 20 lb everyday; “juicing releases approximately 90% of the nutrients in food, which is about three times better than you can do with your teeth” (130). Nutrients are better absorbed when they are juiced rather than chewed (131).

Noteworthy quotes:

“I’m often asked, ‘If sugar feeds cancer, what about the sugar in fruit?’ The naturally occurring sugars in fruits and vegetables provide energy to every cell in your body, and the antioxidants and phytonutrients provide a wide range of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits in the body. Fruit is a wonderful health-promoting food, and nearly every fruit on earth has been found to contain anti-cancer compounds” (110). “While it is true that cancer cells feed primarily on glucose, so does every other cell in your body. All fruits, vegetables, grains, and animal protein are converted to glucose to feed your cells” (136).

“Raw sweet potatoes have higher antioxidant content than cooked, and boiled sweet potatoes have more than baked” (161).

“A 2014 study found that middle-aged Americans ages 50-65 who reported eating a high-protein diet with more than 20% of calories coming from animal protein were four times more likely to die of cancer or diabetes and twice as likely to die of any other cause in the next 18 years. But those who ate a plant-based diet did not have any increase in risk. A diet high in animal protein is typically also high in saturated fat” (127). A diet high in saturated fat has been found to increase your risk of lung, colorectal, stomach, esophageal, breast, and prostate cancer. The heme iron in meat also promotes cancer (127). “Research published in 2018 concluded that two common forms of iron used in iron supplements, ferric citrate and ferric EDTA, might be carcinogenic as they increase the formation of amphiregulin in colon cancer cells, a known cancer biomarker most often associated with long-term cancer with poor prognosis. Another form of iron, ferrous sulphate did not have this effect” (128). “Non-heme iron is abundant in plant foods, especially in legumes, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, spinach, swiss chard, quinoa, and dried apricots” (128).

Why it’s not good to eat carnivorous animals: They “can contain high amounts of viruses, bacteria, parasites, pathogens, and heme iron” (156). “The Retail Meat Report published by the FDA in February 2013 found that 81% of turkey, 69% of pork chops, 55% of raw ground beef, and 39% of chicken parts in supermarkets were infected with an antibiotic-resistant superbug called Enterococcus, a bacteria that is also the third leading cause of hospital infections. The FDA report also found that 74% of poultry contained antibiotic-resistant salmonella” (158). “As far as bacterial content goes, ground meat is the worst. Hamburger meat can contain as much as 100 million bacteria per quarter-pound patty. . . . Even if the meat is completely cooked, the dead bacteria still release endotoxins into your bloodstream and cause an immediate inflammation response throughout the body, which causes stiffening of your arterial walls and lung inflammation. This reaction typically lasts about 5-6 hours, and eating animal products three times per day keeps the body in a state of endotoxemia, or chronic, low-grade inflammation that can eventually lead to a host of diseases, including Crohn’s disease, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer” (159). If you’re going to eat meat, it’s best to boil it because barbecuing, baking, pan frying, or grilling over an open flame releases carcinogens (159). Marinating your meat in herbs and spices before cooking blocks the formation of heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The best marinade mentioned in the book was one that contained garlic, ginger, thyme, rosemary, and chili pepper; it reduced HCAs by 90%. But even a simple lemon juice marinade reduces the PAH content by 70% (160).

“Good health makes a lot of sense, but it doesn’t make a lot of dollars.” - Dr. Andrew Saul

“Cancer cells are not alien invaders. Cancer cells are your cells with your DNA” (x).

“Science is not truth. It is an attempt to discover truth. If science were truth, it would always be right. However, not unlike news stories today, there are countless published scientific studies that contradict each other” (xiii).

“The case against science is straightforward: much of the scientific literature, perhaps half, may simply be untrue. Afflicted by studies with small sample sizes, tiny effects, invalid exploratory analyses, and flagrant conflicts of interest, together with an obsession for pursuing fashionable trends of dubious importance, science has taken a turn towards darkness.” - Dr. Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of The Lancet

“Despite the appearance of legitimacy, publishing a scientific study in a peer-reviewed academic journal does not necessarily make it accurate, true, or trustworthy. Scientific research can easily be misunderstood, manipulated, or manufactured. Millions of dollars have been and will be spent funding scientific studies simply to further an agenda, like the infamous studies funded by the tobacco industry that ‘proved’ cigarettes did not cause cancer—until, years later, unbiased scientific studies proved they did. When confronted with scientific research, before accepting or rejecting its conclusion, at the very least it’s important to consider who funded it and how stands to benefit from its findings” (xiv).

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” - Upton Sinclair

“After eight years of undergrad and medical school, the average graduate ends up with about $150,000 in student loan debt. Their next step is three to five years of residency, which typically pays about $50,000 to $60,000 per year. After roughly 12 years of education and training, an oncologist can finally begin their career. . . . According to the 2017 Medscape Physician Compensation Report, oncologists make $330,000 per year on average yet only 57% of those surveyed felt ‘fairly compensated’” (76). Even the rich aren’t satisfied with their pay!

“In the United States, medical doctors get their educations and earn their degrees at institutions funded by drug companies. Doctors are certified by the AMA, which receives funding from the drug companies. Doctors prescribe drugs approved by the FDA, which receives roughly $100 million per year in ‘user fees’ from drug companies for new drug applications (each new drug application costs $2.1 million to submit [78]!). The pharmaceutical industry has over 1,200 registered lobbyists in Washington, D.C., and spent $900 million lobbying on legislation and $90 million in campaign contributions to politicians from 1998 to 2005 alone. In 2003 the Bush administration passed Medicare Part D, which prohibits the federal government from negotiating prices with the pharmaceutical industry. This allows the drug companies to charge Medicare whatever prices they want” (56). “The FDA does not actually conduct its own independent drug safety testing. This research is done by the very companies who make the drugs” (80). “In October 2005 the renowned science journal Nature published an investigation of [FDA] panels that write the clinical guidelines governing the diagnosis and treatment of patients with new drugs. They discovered that more than one-third of these authors declared financial links to relevant drug companies, with around 70% of panels being affected. In one case, every member of the panel had been paid by the company responsible for the drug that was ultimately recommended” (79).
“Half of Americans are taking one prescription drug monthly, 21% are taking three or more, and 10% of us are taking more than five prescription drugs per month. And Americans now pay twice as much for prescription drugs on average than the citizens of any other developed country” (57). “We are taking more drugs than ever before, but we aren’t healthier” (73). “In 2003 in an attempt to reduce the financial incentives attached to drug therapies and clean up the seedy side of cancer treatment, Congress passed the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement, and Modernization Act, capping the markup on cancer drugs at 6% plus an administration fee. Consequently, oncologists began prescribing drugs with higher profit margins and increasing the number of treatments given to patients. More expensive drugs plus more office visits equals more money” (77). In 2014 UnitedHealth Group published a study in which they paid oncologists in five medical groups a flat-rate payment per patient instead of paying them for each drug or service they provided. As a result the cost of cancer care in these groups fell by 34% over three years, saving patients $33 million. When you remove the financial incentives, it changes the way oncologists treat patients” (78).

Coca-cola used to have cocaine in it, and Bayer used to sell heroin as cough medicine (58).

“Opioid-based painkillers like morphine can stimulate the growth and spread of cancer” (12).

Of about 1000 mummies from ancient Egypt and South America, only five cases had tumors and only one of those tumors was malignant (23).

Cancer rates began to skyrocket during the Industrial Revolution because of pollution (24). “The microwave frequencies produced by 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi devices have been identified as an important threat to human health. Numerous repeated studies have linked Wi-Fi radiation to oxidative stress, DNA damage, hormone dysregulation, melatonin lowering and sleep disruption, infant brain development, calcium overload, and male infertility” (180). Check https://www.epa.gov/superfund to see if you have a superfund site (toxic-waste hazard site) near you. (I looked up a map of them; the highest superfund concentrations are in the NE states, and the states with nearly no superfund sites are NV and ND.) The highest US cancer rates are along the Mississippi River, near the Kentucky/WV border, in western Alaska, and in the south in general. Cancer deaths were lowest in western states, especially Colorado and Utah (180).

“In 2015, a task force of 174 scientists from 28 countries identified 50 common chemicals considered to be harmless at low doses but that could become carcinogenic when combined with other ‘harmless’ chemicals. Some of the chemicals identified include triclosan in antibacterial soap, phthalates in plastics; titanium dioxide used in sunscreen; and acrylamide, which is found in french fries, coffee, some cereals, bread crust, and roasted nuts” (25).

Like smoking, alcohol and birth control pills are classified as Group 1 carcinogens (29, 65). “Caramel coloring, produced with ammonia . . . Has been identified as a carcinogen” (33). “Although e-cigarettes, aka ‘vaping,’ are less toxic than tobacco, they still increase your risk of cancer” (164).

“The average American ate 3,400 calories per day in 1909. today the average American eats roughly 4,000 calories per day” (30). “We’re also eating about 20% more animal protein than we were in 1909 and 60% more fat, primarily from oils” (32).

“Belly fat produces a protein called fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2), which has been demonstrated to drive certain vulnerable skin and mammary cells to transform into cancerous cells” (30).

��U.S.-grown alfalfa, canola, corn, papaya, soy, sugar beets, zucchini, and yellow summer squash are predominantly genetically modified” (33). “A study published in the Journal of Environmental Research found that after just seven days on an organic diet, dialkyl phosphate pesticide (DAP) levels in adults dropped by 89% in urinary excretion. DAPs make up 70-80% of organophosphate pesticides. In a similar study, researchers also reported a dramatic drop in the levels of insecticides and herbicide in children’s urine after only five days on an organic diet” (165). “The most effective fruit and vegetable wash for pesticide removal appears to be a 10% solution of salt water, 1 part salt to 9 parts water” (165). “Conventional produce has a four-digit SKU on the sticker starting with a 3 or 4. Organic produce will have a five-digit SKU starting with the number 9. Genetically modified produce typically has a five-digit SKU starting with the number 8, but since it is not required by law, some GMO producers have dropped the 8 and shorted their SKUs to four digits” (166).

Dr. Farid Fata in Michigan “falsely diagnosed or intentionally overtreated 553 people, fraudulently billed Medicare to the tune of $34 million dollars, laundered money, and engaged in a kickback scheme. Fata was busted in 2013, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 45 years in prison. And many of his patients/victims liked him and believed he was a good doctor. We have been conditioned to regard doctors as saintly, even superhuman. But they are not. They have the same flaws and problems as everyone else” (42).

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US, but may soon be number one because it’s already number one in 22 states (51). The third leading cause of death in the US is iatrogenesis, which is death as a result of medical treatment (43). A group of scientists calculated the total number of iatrogenic deaths to be over three times higher than industry estimates. “If their findings are correct, medical treatment is actually the number one killer of Americans. Even the harmless saline IV bags used in hospitals have been identified as contributors to kidney failure and death. Researchers estimate that 50,000-75,000 deaths could be prevented in the U.S. each year simply by replacing saline IV bags with balanced fluids such as lactated Ringer’s solution or Plasma-Lyte A, which more closely mirror blood plasma and include electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium” (44).

See comment(s) below for more quotes.

[Tanya Gotxikoa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful but a little bit ambiguous in some subjects, 1/3 of the book in blibiography. It's a nice book and has useful things but for someone more interested in science i recommend moving on to another book.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit too much religion for my taste but all the other info is great. Plenty of references too.

[Becka Gayle · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a load of quack, big ol nope. Def think twice before giving this to someone going through cancer. https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/chri...

[Stacy Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t have cancer. Maybe you don’t have cancer. But I think this is an amazing read for literally anyone who wants to LIVE healthy.
I heard Chris’ testimony on a podcast and immediately grabbed his book at the library. His story is one of massive action and deep faith - both of which he didn’t come by naturally but decided it was time to change.

This book is full of so many healthy ways to change your life for the better. Even if you don’t have cancer, you can implement a lot of his tips. I’ve changed some things already and feel so much better. Food. Stressors. Toxic crap. Strengthening my faith. They all matter.

Great great read.

[Chantelle McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative

[Rachel Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Some parts were really helpful and some were so over-the-top they were hard to take seriously.

I ended up at a 3 star rating.

5 stars for the nutritional chapters. I do believe that the foods we eat can either cause or prevent cancer. I wish I had known more about this previously. I think this is good info for everyone, whether you have cancer or not.

2 stars for his review of chemo and oncologists. I realize he had a bad experience with his onco but this chapter was so negative about modern medicine, it felt like an exaggeration.

1 star for balance. He talks a lot about his story and others who have beat cancer through nutrition and lifestyle. I wouldn't expect him to mention the other side but there are many others who try this approach, it doesn't work for them, the cancer spreads, and they lose their lives.

People will are only committed to a holistic approach will probably love this book. For people like me who think there are benefits to holistic and modern medicine, it fell flat.

[Wendy Leonard-Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt that this book had a lot of information in it. There were so many references to go along with all of the information. This book will give you a lot of things to consider regarding health and wellness which are not common in conventional western medicine. I would recommend this book to anyone pondering alternative health practices or nutrition, not only those currently with cancer.

[Arielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend every one read this book... especially starting at chapter 9 through the end as it give insightful literature reviews on why a plant based diet is imperative in our modern world. I’ll probably read it again. The audio was great but I’d like the hard copy as well.

[LuAnn Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for even those that have not been given the cancer diagnosis as it touches on so many keys that contribute to good health.

[Diane Boudrias · Rating 5 out of 5]

My brother told me about this book so I bought it to see if it can help my beautiful father, but it didn't my dad passed away on January 5th of 2019. :(

[Kristie Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information. Good nutrition advice but even if we follow “the best” eating plans does not mean that we have the ultimate control over our healing.

[JSB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great summary of good advice for taking control of your own health. An ounce of prevention IS worth a pound of cure. Chris Wark shares his recovery from a Stage III colon cancer diagnosis in 2003. He saw two paths. One choice was to board the "chemo train", conventional treatment, the popular path, where he'd be surrounded by love and support, people who would be cheering him on, raising money, and running races for him... but he knew once he got on, it would be hard to get off. The other path he liked to "an overgrown path into a jungle" that he had to hack his way through the dark. Everyone was telling him not to go that way. He knew if he chose that path, no one would understand, he would lose support, and he would have to go through the journey alone. He took the road less traveled and lived to tell his story. And it is a great one. Inspiring and brave. He took responsibility for his own recovery and details how he did it so that others could benefit from his journey. Chris shares the research he uncovered, from the history of cancer, its causes, how treatment has evolved, how little progress has been made since the "War on Cancer" was declared, how patients have been misled on the effectiveness and success of treatment options, the power of our choices, and the importance of radically changing the way we live to achieve optimal health. His message is very empowering and communicated effectively in this well referenced book.

[Ashleigh Mattern · Rating 3 out of 5]

My biggest issue with Chris Beats Cancer is his lopsided approach to evaluating scientific research. I empathised with his personal story and respect his choice not to undergo chemotherapy. I agree that chemotherapy patients need to be better informed about the risks and side effects. I even agree with his evaluation of the science supporting chemotherapy, in that it's biased and problematic. But then he doesn't apply this same scrutiny to nutritional science, which is just as biased and problematic as the cancer science, if not more so. Instead, he points to flawed studies and reports — including The Blue Zone, which has been thoroughly debunked — to argue in favour of an extreme plant-based diet that even he could not follow. He had to add animal meat back into his diet. I do appreciate that he talks about EMFs, sunlight, grounding, and several other health topics often considered fringe or conspiracy. I would say this is required reading for cancer patients if it weren't for his dogmatic dedication to vegetarianism and juicing. Unfortunately, I won't be recommending it to anyone.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely love the first half of this book. I really enjoyed understanding more about the cancer industry. However, he took Bible verses out of context, and used those as his platform for some of his reasoning. So I kind of skimmed the second half of the book. I’m very thankful for this book though, I’m definitely intentionally planning on taking the natural route if I ever get cancer.

[Melanie Wardle · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read for all - challenged in life or not

Excellent book, encouraging and full of excellent guidance no matter how much you think you know. Heart felt book I have shared with my loved ones.

[Andy Narracott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Chris’s journey into natural healing methods to compliment his cancer surgery. Filled with nutrition and spiritual advice to heal, based on his own experience. Not a set of instructions to follow but to pick and choose to put into your own healing journey.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author offers great advice on adopting the optimal diet to either prevent or treat cancer. It also offers suggestions on how to improve your sleep and exercise routines and even deal with stress. And his story of how he recovered from cancer in spite of following a more unconventional treatment plan is moving and inspirational. The only problem I have is that it's a bit heavy (an entire chapter plus sprinklings of it throughout the book) on emphasizing Christianity and the Bible as a way to recover from cancer. What do you do if you're not a Christian? Or worse yet, agnostic or atheist? Does this mean following his more practical steps is meaningless if you don't accept Christ as your lord and savior? If so, much of humanity is in danger.