A woman has shared the things she will never eat again after battling breast cancer.
“I had zero symptoms,” said Emily Phillips, whose doctor felt a small lump during her annual women’s health checkup in August 2023. The following month, she was diagnosed with triple-positive invasive ductal carcinoma, Stage 1b. This refers to a type of breast cancer that is considered early stage, meaning the cancer is confined to the breast tissue.
Seven months later, Phillips, who has no family history of cancer, received the news that it hadn’t spread and was no longer detectable in her body. Determined to make lasting changes, she overhauled her lifestyle—ditching plastic, swapping conventional cleaning products for natural remedies and embracing a cleaner way of living.
Now, 35-year-old Phillips, based in St. Petersburg, Florida, uses her platform (@selftaughthealthygirlem) to share her journey, and in an exclusive interview with Newsweek, she dives deeper into the foods she vows never to eat again.
The former elementary school teacher told Newsweek: “Prior to my diagnosis, I was what I considered a healthy new mom, ready to continue to grow my family.”
She underwent six rounds of intensive chemotherapy from September 2023 to January 2024, followed by a double mastectomy in February 2024 and immunotherapy until August 2024. During this time, she began paying attention to what she was putting into her body, on her body and what she was using for cooking and cleaning.
“When I would attend appointments, every surgeon, doctor, nurse and anyone else I encountered would say they are seeing a rise in young patients with cancer but could not figure out why,” she told Newsweek. This prompted her to research “cancer-causing additives” found in processed foods and glyphosate sprayed on fruits, vegetables, the plants that livestock eat, and much more.
Dietary Changes and Swaps
Phillips explained that she began researching “cancer-causing additives” found in processed foods, glyphosate sprayed on fruits, vegetables, and the plants that livestock eat, and much more.
“I knew I had to make changes to my lifestyle if I wanted to give myself the best shot at avoiding cancer recurrence,” she said, adding that a functional, integrative medicine doctor encouraged the changes she has made.
Before her diagnosis, Phillips ate whatever she wanted without checking labels, always buying nonorganic produce, store-brand meats and processed foods. Now, she prioritizes organic, high-quality foods to avoid harmful pesticides and additives:
- Organic everything – Fruits, vegetables, meats, pasta and sauces to minimize pesticide exposure.
- Grass-fed and grass-finished meat – Ensures cows are not fed glyphosate-treated corn and soy.
- Strictly avoids coffee, replacing it with matcha – according to a study, the powdered Japanese green tea supports cognitive function, cardio-metabolic health and has anti-tumor properties.
- Organic, pasture-raised chicken and eggs – Higher nutritional value from chickens raised on clean grass, bugs and worms.
- Organic milk – A Washington State University study found that organic milk has a healthier omega-6 to omega-3 ratio due to pasture-based feeding.
- Unrefined organic coconut or avocado oil, grass-fed tallow, and duck fat instead of seed oils – Seed oils have been linked to inflammation.
- Minimal processed foods – When buying packaged items, she scans them with an app to check for harmful additives and find healthier alternatives.
- Rarely drinks alcohol – She said: “I drink alcohol on very special occasions like a trip or fancy dinner. My oncologist said an occasional drink is OK, so I gave myself permission to do so. However, after drinking alcohol, I feel very guilty consuming something that is a known carcinogen, so I hope to get to a point where I am able to cut it out completely.”
Now, she shops at her local farmers market but has also started growing her own vegetables, enjoying the convenience and nutrient density of homegrown produce.
If Organic Produce Isn’t an Option – ‘Don’t Stress’
A strictly organic diet—which is often expensive—isn’t the be-all and end-all, according to Kelly Sturm, an oncology specialist based in Minnesota.
She told Newsweek: “I love seeing such mindful choices when it comes to diet, especially avoiding processed foods, prioritizing quality meats and opting for organic when possible. These habits not only support overall health but also help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are key factors for cancer prevention.
“Pesticide residues in conventionally grown produce are a valid concern, particularly for those who have battled cancer. Some pesticides have been linked to hormone disruption, oxidative stress and even potential carcinogenic effects. While the research isn’t always black and white, studies suggest that long-term exposure to certain pesticides may contribute to an increased cancer risk.
“That said, if buying 100 percent organic isn’t realistic, don’t stress! Washing produce thoroughly and opting for items from the Environmental Working Group’s Clean Fifteen (which have the lowest pesticide residues) can be a good middle ground. And growing your own food? That’s a fantastic way to ensure you’re getting the freshest, cleanest produce possible!”
Are Seed Oils Bad for You?
Canola, corn, soybean and sunflower oils have been debated in the nutrition world and we are often told to avoid them. But Maura Harrigan, a certified specialist in oncology nutrition at the Yale School of Public Health and Yale Cancer Center, said they aren’t “necessarily harmful when consumed in moderation.”
She told Newsweek: “Seed oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which, in excessive amounts, can create an imbalance with omega-3 fatty acids and promote chronic inflammation. This imbalance can be offset with inclusion of omega-3 rich foods, such as fish and flax seeds.”
Harrigan added that any type of oil can be harmful if not stored or used properly.
She said: “Oils are more prone to oxidation when exposed to heat, light and air. Oxidized fats can create free radicals that may damage cells, increase inflammation and cause metabolic dysfunction, such as insulin resistance.”
Can Processed Foods Increase Cancer Risk?
Ultra-processed foods with a long shelf life, often contain additives like preservatives, emulsifiers and artificial flavors. A review of 45 studies found a slight link between ultra-processed foods and cancer, but the evidence was low quality and weak, making the connection uncertain.
Processed meats on the other hand—like bacon, sausage and deli meats—have been classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization, having been linked to colorectal cancer.
Sturm added: “Ultra-processed foods often contribute to inflammation, insulin resistance and even gut microbiome imbalances, all of which can play a role in cancer development.
“Cutting out processed foods is a fantastic step toward better health, but again, in people’s daily lives it’s hard to get that perfect diet. If you’re choosing whole, nutrient-dense foods most of the time, your body will thank you!”
Indeed, Phillips told Newsweek that she feels “amazing” after making all of her lifestyle changes.
She said: “I am confident in my body and wake up every day with the energy to make it a great day. It also helps ease my fear of cancer recurrence, knowing I am in control of what I put into and on my body.
“Some of the medications I am taking have debilitating side effects, but I am not experiencing any of them, and I credit it to these changes.”
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