The Heal Navigator Podcast: Exploring Integrative Cancer Care

In this remarkable episode, Petri shares how he went from a devastating 7% survival prognosis to a full year of completely clear scans. Thanks to a combination of self-advocacy, integrative care, and a life-changing connection to Immunocine’s dendritic cell therapy in Cancun, Mexico. Diagnosed with stage 3C colorectal cancer at just 36, Petri initially followed the full conventional path: surgery, radiation, and aggressive chemotherapy. But when residual cancer remained and the statistics looked grim, he refused to settle for a “managed decline.” His search for answers led him to Heal Navigator, where expert guidance helped him personalize his lifestyle, supplements, fasting strategies, and most importantly, discover Immunocine, an advanced immune therapy not yet available through standard care in the U.S. or Europe. Today, more than a year later, scans show no evidence of disease. In this interview, Petri talks about: The shock of a young cancer diagnosis How fasting and supplementation drastically reduced chemo side effects The exact moment he realized chemo alone might not be enough His decision to travel to Mexico for cutting-edge dendritic cell therapy The dramatic immune response that followed, and the surprising challenges What it feels like to go from daily pain to complete freedom His message for others facing advanced cancer and limited options Petri’s story is more than hopeful, it’s actionable.  It shows what happens when a patient becomes their own advocate, finds the right support, and gains access to therapies like Immunocine in Mexico that are transforming outcomes. If you're exploring options beyond standard treatment, or supporting someone who is, this episode is woth listening to. If you'd like to explore more of Petri’s journey, you can read his personal blog here: https://autio.github.io/health/ If you’re looking into options outside standard treatment or want guidance on integrative and alternative cancer clinics, you can connect with our team here: https://healnavigator.com/speak-with-an-advisor/ 

What should cancer patients really eat during treatment? In this episode we speak with Amanda King, ND, a - naturopath & nutritional therapist specializing in integrative metabolic oncology. Together, we explore how nutrition can work alongside standard treatments like chemotherapy and radiation to improve tolerance, reduce side effects, and support recovery. You’ll learn: How intermittent fasting before chemotherapy can improve treatment response and lessen side effects Why the ketogenic diet may help “starve” cancer cells of glucose The difference between “dirty keto” and a therapeutic ketogenic diet for cancer Why avoiding processed and inflammatory foods during treatment can make a difference How testing and lab work (such as DUTCH and mycotoxin panels) reveal underlying root causes Why your metabolic terrain, including sleep, stress, and environment matters as much as your diet   Amanda also addresses common misconceptions about diet and cancer, and shares practical first steps for newly diagnosed patients ready to take charge of their nutrition. This conversation offers a perspective on how food, lifestyle, and integrative care can support your healing. Listen now to learn how nutritional therapy can complement conventional cancer care and help you move toward better health. To dive deeper: Learn more about Amanda King, ND Explore Metabolic Therapy Or Book a Free Call with our Care Team to discuss your options

Liquid Biopsy Testing for Cancer: ctDNA, CTC & RGCC Most cancer patients are familiar with the “wait and scan” model; PET or CT scans every few months, followed by anxious results. But what if there were blood-based tests that could detect cancer activity earlier, guide treatment decisions, and reduce unnecessary radiation exposure? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Gez Agolli, integrative practitioner and medical director at Progressive Medical, about the evolving role of liquid biopsies in cancer care. Together, we explore: What a liquid biopsy is and how it works The difference between ctDNA tests and circulating tumor cell (CTC) tests How the RGCC test helps identify which conventional, repurposed, or natural therapies may work best for a specific patient Why monitoring between scans matters, and how these tests can provide peace of mind The role of gut health, inflammation, and oxidative stress markers in cancer risk and progression Practical considerations: timing tests after chemotherapy, costs, and insurance coverage Dr. Agolli emphasizes a proactive, precision-based approach: “If you don’t test, you just guess.” Whether you’re newly diagnosed, in remission, or navigating follow-up care, this episode offers a grounded look at diagnostic tools that can help patients and practitioners make more informed decisions. 👉 Need help exploring testing or treatment options? Visit HealNavigator.com to connect with our team.   #LiquidBiopsy #ctDNA #RGCC #IntegrativeOncology #AlternativeCancerCare

What if safe, everyday medications could be repurposed to make cancer treatments more effective? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Charles Meakin, MD a former radiation oncologist and now founder of Meakin Metabolic Care, to explore how off-label medications and metabolic therapy are being used to support people facing cancer. Dr. Meakin shares: His journey from conventional oncology to integrative, metabolic-focused care How common drugs like metformin, doxycycline, and mebendazole may help target cancer pathways The difference between fenbendazole and mebendazole, and what patients should know Why multi-drug, low-dose combinations can sometimes improve outcomes The risks of self-prescribing without medical oversight How mindset, lifestyle, and medical supervision all work together in metabolic healing Whether you’re exploring complementary options alongside standard of care, or simply curious about the science behind repurposed medications, this conversation offers grounded, hopeful, and practical insights. 👉 Learn more about Dr. Meakin’s Cancer Metabolic Optimization Program and book a free call with an advisor at Heal Navigator.

Fighting Cancer Differently: Insights from Dr. Francisco Contreras, Surgical Oncologist What if cancer care went beyond just attacking tumors and focused on healing your whole body? In this episode of the Heal Navigator Podcast, Dr. Francisco Contreras, MD, surgical oncologist and medical director of Oasis of Hope Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico, shares over 40 years of experience treating patients with advanced cancer through integrative, whole-person care, especially when conventional options have failed. Dr. Contreras shares the philosophy that guides Oasis: “First, do no harm” paired with deep compassion, scientific rigor, and long-term support. You'll hear how patients are transformed from “victims into victors” through immune-based therapies, personalized metabolic protocols, and a treatment model that prioritizes healing at every level physical, emotional, and spiritual. We cover: The IMPACT Protocol: Immune Personalized Autologous Cell Therapy and how immune cells are used to fight cancer Low-Dose Chemotherapy: How it helps make tumors visible to the immune system Real-World Outcomes: Stories from patients with advanced-stage breast, colon, glioblastoma, ovarian, lung, pancreatic, and prostate cancers Surgery Insights: Dr. Contreras’s perspective on when surgery helps vs. when it may cause harm Life at Oasis: What to expect during your stay including community, nutrition, beach walks, and clean food Why Not in the U.S.?: Why these immune therapies aren’t available there and how Oasis built its on-site lab to maintain quality Special Offer: Patients who book through Heal Navigator receive a $3,000 grant toward treatment at Oasis of Hope. Learn more: https://healnavigator.com/listing/oasis-of-hope-reviews/ 📞 Book your free call: https://healnavigator.com/speak-with-an-advisor/  🕒 Episode Highlights 00:00 – A dramatic result: Tumors shrink, function returns, full-time work resumes 01:19 – The origin of Oasis of Hope: From military oncology to integrative care 04:14 – Fear, mindset, and healing: “From victim to victor” 10:07 – Why 80–85% of patients come after exhausting standard treatment 15:03 – How low-dose chemo is used to unmask the tumor to the immune system 19:00 – How immune therapies like dendritic cells and NK cells are made onsite 32:06 – The Oasis philosophy: “We focus on quality of life not just destroying tumors”   🔗 Resources & Links Oasis of Hope Grant 👉 https://healnavigator.com/listing/oasis-of-hope-reviews/ (Receive a $3,000 treatment grant when you book through Heal Navigator) Heal Navigator Website https://healnavigator.com/ Follow Heal Navigator on Social Media Facebook | Instagram | YouTube 

Cannabis Oil & Fenbendazole: A Guide for Cancer Patients Exploring Alternatives In this episode, we sit down with Janna Champagne, a board-certified master herbalist, cannabis consultant, and integrative medicine professor who’s worked with thousands of patients navigating complex conditions including cancer. Together, we unpack the surge in cannabis oil interest, especially in combination with therapies like Fenbendazole, and explore the questions patients are asking most: ✅ Why so many say “CBD didn’t work” and what might actually be behind that ✅ What full-spectrum really means (spoiler: it’s not always what you think) ✅ The risks of stacking multiple therapies without guidance ✅ Cannabis dosing during chemo, immunotherapy, or radiation ✅ What Janna’s seeing in her practice from anecdotal success stories to critical cautions She also walks us through key FAQs, including: → Is CBD better than melatonin for sleep? → Can I take cannabis while on standard cancer treatment? → How do I make FECO oil safely at home? If you’re overwhelmed by the options or unsure what’s safe to try, this episode is for you. 🌿 Want personalized guidance from Janna? Book a remote consultation with her here. Resources & Links Mentioned: Managing Cancer Symptoms with Cannabis: A Comprehensive Guide 👉 https://healnavigator.com/blog/managing-cancer-symptoms-with-cannabis/ Recommended device for making FECO oil: Green Oil Machine 👉  https://www.greenhorus.com/product-page/green-oil-machine 👉 Purchase medical-grade CBD oil from Unity Formulas with 20% off – Use code RETHN2 » If this episode helped bring clarity to a confusing topic, please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who could benefit. The information in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider before beginning new treatments.

“They gave me a death sentence. I chose something else.” When Jerald Wilks was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, doctors told him he had just months to live without chemotherapy. The prognosis was grim—and the pressure to start conventional treatment was immediate. But Jerald paused. With the support of his wife and integrative doctor, he began searching for alternatives. That search led him to Heal Navigator, who helped him compare vetted clinics offering immune-supportive, whole-person care. Now, over two years later, Jerald is thriving with no evidence of disease. In this powerful and emotional episode, Jerald shares: What it feels like to be handed a death sentence — and say “no” How he navigated an overwhelming sea of options What gave him the confidence to choose a different path How he’s now helping others face the same crossroads with more clarity and hope If you're questioning your next step — or feeling alone in this process — Jerald’s story might be exactly what you need to hear today. 👇 And come say hi in the Heal Navigator Facebook group — you’ll find Jerald there, sharing his experience and offering support. https://www.facebook.com/groups/HealNavigator/ 

What If You Could Use Your Own Tumor Data to Guide Cancer Treatment? 🎙️ In this episode, we speak with Dr. Padman Vamadevan and Ben Whately of Astron Health, a precision oncology company using advanced data analysis and repurposed medications to personalize care — based on your cancer's unique molecular profile. What you’ll hear: Why many standard treatments miss the mark on long-term outcomes How Astron uses existing genomic reports to build safer, smarter adjunct protocols The difference between precision medicine and “one-size-fits-all” cancer care What testing is available today — and how patients can access it If you’ve ever wondered why a treatment worked for someone else but not you… this one’s worth a listen. Wondering if this could apply to your case? Speak with our team to explore whether Astron’s personalized protocols might align with your treatment path 👉 https://healnavigator.com/speak-with-an-advisor/  

What if the future of cancer treatment is already here—but not yet available in the U.S.? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Matt Halpert, a leading cancer immunologist and the mind behind a groundbreaking double -loaded dendritic cell therapy that’s showing real promise—even for late stages of cancer. Dr. Halpert spent over a decade researching immunotherapy at Baylor College of Medicine. Today, he’s helping patients access this innovative treatment at the Immunocine Cancer Center in Mexico, where it’s already being used while clinical trials continue in the U.S. You’ll learn: How dendritic cell therapy works to reprogram the immune system to target cancer Why this therapy is different from other immune-based or checkpoint treatments Where it’s available now—and how patients are accessing it outside the U.S. What it could mean for people who can’t afford to wait for FDA approval Click to schedule a call with a Heal Navigator advisor to talk through your options. Subscribe for more expert interviews, patient stories, and emerging therapies in integrative cancer care.

What is metabolic cancer therapy—and why are more patients asking about it? In this episode, we spoke with author and researcher Travis Christofferson to explore the science, the promise, and the growing interest around metabolic therapies and repurposed drugs in cancer care. We break down how this emerging field could support traditional treatments and offer new options—especially for those looking beyond standard protocols. 🔍 In this episode: The promise of repurposed drugs like Metformin and Mebendazole How ketogenic diets may influence cancer metabolism Synthetic lethality explained in plain language Why these approaches may work alongside—not instead of—standard treatment 📞 Curious about metabolic therapy? Speak with a Heal Navigator Advisor for guidance 🎧 Learn more about our Metabolic Optimization Program  🔔 Subscribe for more expert insights on integrative cancer care

In this deeply personal and inspiring conversation, Maggie Lyons bravely shares her journey navigating a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and her decision to explore integrative and alternative therapies. She recounts the significant challenges she faced during her treatment and the pivotal moment that led her to seek alternative options at a specialized clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. Maggie highlights the clinic's treatment philosophy, emphasizing its focus on repairing and bolstering the body's natural immune system. She also provides important insights into the financial realities of pursuing alternative treatments and the indispensable value of emotional support throughout her cancer journey. If Maggie's story resonates with you and you're curious about exploring integrative and alternative treatment centers, please connect with us here: 👉 https://healnavigator.com/which-treatment-center-is-right-for-you/