Mayo Clinic Cancer Doctor: 5 Foods That Heal the Body, Starve Cancer, & Prevent Disease

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Oct 23, 2025

Dr. Dawn Mussallem, a double board-certified physician from the Mayo Clinic and a stage-4 cancer survivor, shares life-changing insights on food as medicine. She reveals the top five cancer-fighting foods and discusses the dangers of ultra-processed diets. Learn about the surprising benefits of soy for breast cancer survivors and how cruciferous vegetables aid cancer prevention. Dawn also stresses the importance of lifestyle choices—like exercise and sleep—in improving health outcomes. Her powerful personal journey and practical tips will inspire anyone looking to enhance their well-being.

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ANECDOTE

Young Doctor Facing Stage‑4 Cancer

At 26 Dawn Mussallem was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and told she had months to live. She kept studying, followed medical treatment, and prioritized vitality during chemo which she credits with her survival.

ADVICE

Exercise During Treatment Matters

Do move your body during and after cancer treatment; even short, gentle exercise helps reduce stress and improves treatment response. Aim for daily walks and whatever strength work you can safely maintain.

INSIGHT

Ultra‑Processed Foods Drive Mortality

Insight: Ultra‑processed foods dominate U.S. diets and drive chronic disease and mortality. Replacing processed items with whole plant foods creates consistent opportunities for health improvement.

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In this episode, you will learn what to eat to heal your body, starve cancer, and prevent disease - with the food you eat.

Today, Mel sits down with Dr. Dawn Mussallem, a double board‑certified Mayo Clinic physician, the first cancer doctor ever on this podcast, integrative oncology pioneer, and stage 4 cancer survivor.

Her colleagues at Mayo Clinic call her “the Magic Bullet” because of the incredible results she gets combining traditional medicine with lifestyle interventions.

This conversation is going to change the way you think about food, exercise, sleep, stress, and disease.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

-The top 5 cancer‑fighting foods

-Why the modern diet is making you sick (and why ultra processed foods are a leading cause of death)

-Why food is medicine and how it works in your body

-The fiber rule tied to lower cancer risk—and why most men miss it

-The truth about soy and breast cancer (edamame actually reduces breast cancer recurrence by 25%)

-How to make healthy eating unbelievably easy (simple food swaps that heal your body)

Whether you want more energy, want to protect your health, or want exact guidance on what to eat and what to avoid for a vibrant life, this episode is for you.

What you'll learn today will add years to your life and life to your years, and can do the same for the people you love.

And stick around until the end for Dr. Mussallem’s powerful personal story - from stage 4 cancer at 26 to a heart transplant five years ago - and the mindset shift that will change how you care for your body.

For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page.

If you liked the episode, check out this one next: Change Your Body & Your Life in 1 Month: 4 Small Habits That Actually Work

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