My Journey with Breast Cancer with Huwayda (Hoda) Alfaqih

A few weeks ago, my dad, my son and I had the opportunity to visit Professor Thomas Seyfried and his research team at Boston College. We've interviewed Prof. Seyfried before, and we've spent a lot of time on The Moss Report exploring the metabolic theory of cancer. But this was different. We were actually in the lab, surrounded by the people doing the research, talking about what I believe is one of the most important questions in cancer today: What if we've been looking at the disease backwards? For decades, cancer research has been dominated by the idea that cancer is fundamentally a genetic disease, caused by mutations in the DNA. Seyfried and his colleagues believe the problem begins earlier, with damaged mitochondrial energy metabolism, and that many of the mutations we associate with cancer come later. If they're right, that's a very big deal. It changes the question from simply which mutations are driving this cancer? to what is fueling these cells, and can we exploit the metabolic differences between cancer cells and healthy cells? That's where glucose and glutamine come in, along with nutritional ketosis, the glucose-ketone index (GKI), glutamine inhibitors such as DON, repurposed drugs, and what Seyfried calls the "press-pulse" approach to cancer treatment. We covered all of that during our visit. But some of my favorite parts of the conversation came when we pulled back from the individual therapies and talked about the bigger picture. My dad, who has watched cancer theories and treatments come and go for more than 50 years, called the somatic mutation theory a "dead duck." Tom talked about what evidence it would take to prove his own theory wrong. And before long we were talking about Warburg, Copernicus, Galileo, scientific revolutions, and what happens when an established way of understanding the world begins to give way to something new. I don't know how quickly this revolution will happen, or exactly where it will lead. There is still a tremendous amount of work to be done, particularly in bringing these ideas out of the laboratory and into well-designed human clinical trials. But standing there in that relatively small laboratory at Boston College, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were at the heart of something very important. The full article with transcript and scientific references is available at The Moss Report website here: https://www.themossreport.com/rethinking-cancer-inside-thomas-seyfrieds-lab/

In this conversation, I'm joined by my father, Dr. Ralph W. Moss, and Sylvie Beljanski for a discussion that brings together two long histories in integrative cancer research. Sylvie speaks about the scientific legacy of her father, Mirko Beljanski, whose work in France focused on plant extracts with selective effects on cancer cells. Together, we discuss the promise, controversy, and continuing research behind that work, including studies on cancer stem cells, metastasis, chemotherapy support, and the upcoming Beljanski Integrative Cancer Conference.  https://integrativecancerconference.com/ Note: Use code BICC26MOSS to save 15% on tickets valid until 06/11/26. Read the full article with transcript and citations at: https://www.themossreport.com/the-beljanski-legacy-of-integrative-cancer-science/ Learn more about The Beljanski Foundation: https://www.beljanski.org/ Learn more about Maison Beljanski:https://www.maisonbeljanski.com/

Hello healers,   In this episode of The Moss Report, I travel to Budapest, Hungary, to visit Semmelweis University and sit down with research scientist Dr. Christos Chinopoulos, a leading biochemist whose work has helped advance the mitochondrial and metabolic theory of cancer.   Previously on The Moss Report, my father and I spoke with Professor Thomas N. Seyfried of Boston College, who repeatedly pointed to Dr. Chinopoulos as an important scientific collaborator in clarifying key aspects of this theory. In particular, their work has focused on how cancer cells generate energy, the role of mitochondria, the importance of glucose and glutamine, and the idea that a specific metabolic vulnerability may represent an "Achilles heel" of cancer.   In this conversation, Dr. Chinopoulos discusses: • his work with Professor Seyfried • how metabolic theory builds on and corrects aspects of Otto Warburg's original framework • why ketogenic therapy may help cancer patients • the limits of targeting glucose alone • glutamine, substrate-level phosphorylation, and cancer cell survival • his laboratory's work on drug development aimed at exploiting metabolic differences between healthy cells and cancer cells • how this research may eventually contribute to more effective and less toxic cancer treatment   The episode also includes a brief tour of Dr. Chinopoulos' lab at Semmelweis University, where his team studies tumor metabolism, drug response, and precision approaches to cancer biology.   Read the full article, with transcript: https://www.themossreport.com/cancers-metabolic-achilles-heel/     Watch our earlier interview with Professor Thomas N. Seyfried here: https://youtu.be/jiZKpvJ1V20?si=bjAxaV5wkhnLAPKk   Subscribe to The Moss Report here:  https://themossreport.com/subscribe   Your subscription not only gives you access to all our content, but also helps support the longest-running independent voice reporting on less-toxic, more natural approaches to cancer care. Subscribing is a like supporting us on Patreon.   Visit our sponsors:  Center for Integrative Oncology https://intonc.org  Mycolife.US - Mushroom Extracts https://mycolife.us   Sign up for the free Essentials of Cancer at The Moss Report website: https://themossreport.com/the-essentials   How are you healing today?   - Ben Moss    

Chris Wark, founder of Chris Beat Cancer, is a long-term cancer survivor and author. In this episode, he sits down with Ben Moss and Ralph W. Moss, PhD to share the story that launched his work. Chris was diagnosed with colon cancer as a young man and remembers the shock, fear, and urgency that follow a life-changing diagnosis. In the middle of that crisis, he says he turned to God for help. What followed was a new direction with faith as an anchor, forgiveness as a daily practice, and a plant-based way of eating as the foundation for rebuilding his health. That private turning point became a public mission. Chris Beat Cancer grew out of a desire to help others take an active role in their healing. Today, he shares a straightforward message: faith matters, forgiveness matters, and daily habits matter. Food is not a side issue. It is a key part of the strategy. Read the full post including transcript, and explore The Moss Report at: https://www.themossreport.com/how-chris-beat-cancer/   Books by Ralph W. Moss, PhD Questioning Chemotherapy  https://amzn.to/4s9tGvR Cancer, Incorporated https://amzn.to/4jbe9aU The Moss Method https://amzn.to/4qeZxcE   Chris Beat Cancer Homepage and 20 questions to ask your oncologist https://www.chrisbeatcancer.com/   Books by Chris Wark Chris Beat Cancer https://amzn.to/4p6uPla Beat Cancer Kitchen https://amzn.to/3N0a0KN Beat Cancer Daily https://amzn.to/3Lawmsx   Other Links The Hallelujah Diet https://amzn.to/4s5TEAx   Anti-Cancer Mom https://www.anticancermom.com/   Learn more about The Moss Report - Independent Cancer Journalism since 1974 https://www.themossreport.com Sponsored by Mycolife.US - Makers of The World's Best Mushroom Extracts, including The Moss Method Mushroom Formula, available exclusively at https://www.mycolife.us/  

In this episode of The Moss Report, Dr. Ralph W. Moss and Ben Moss speak with Dr. Dennis R. Holmes, a pioneering breast surgeon whose work is redefining what's possible in breast cancer care. Dr. Holmes explains how cryoablation—a targeted, minimally invasive technique that freezes tumors—can serve as an effective and less toxic alternative to traditional surgery and radiation. Drawing on more than two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Holmes discusses how cryoablation offers women greater freedom of choice, preserves quality of life, and can sometimes be performed in-office under local anesthesia. He also explores its immune-stimulating potential, the challenges of insurance coverage, and recent FDA approval milestones. Topics include: • How cryoablation works and why it's a "kinder, gentler" cancer treatment • The connection between delayed treatment and lower survival rates • Addressing fears around biopsy-related tumor spread • Performing cryoablation during the COVID-19 pandemic • Advances in intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) • The abscopal effect and cryoablation's role in immune activation • Overcoming institutional barriers to innovation Dr. Holmes is a breast surgeon based in Glendale, California, and a leading advocate for patient-centered, less invasive cancer care.  https://www.cryoablation.com/ For the episode with transcript, more podcasts and articles on this topic, visit: https://themossreport.com/s5-e14-cryoablation-dennis-r-holmes-md/   🌿 The Moss Method – Fight Cancer Naturally – (Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1881025799/ 📘 The Moss Report Cancer Treatment Guides – https://themossreport.store/guides 📚 Dr. Moss' Full Catalog of Books on Cancer – https://themossreport.store/books/ 🌎 Full Transcript, Research Notes, Articles & Videos – https://www.themossreport.com 🤝 The Moss Report is sponsored by Mycolife.US - Makers of The World's Best Mushroom Extracts, including The Moss Method Mushroom Formula, available exclusively at https://www.mycolife.us/  

What if cancer isn't primarily a genetic disease — but a metabolic one? In this groundbreaking conversation, Professor Thomas N. Seyfried, PhD (Boston College), author of Cancer as a Metabolic Disease, joins Ralph W. Moss, PhD and Ben Moss to discuss the Mitochondrial and Metabolic Theory of Cancer — and why it challenges decades of conventional thinking. Dr. Seyfried explains how cancer cells depend on glucose and glutamine as their dual fuel supply — and how cutting off both pathways may be the key to shutting cancer down. He details the role of the Glucose Ketone Index (GKI), nutritional ketosis, and new interest in anti-parasitic drugs like fenbendazole and mebendazole, which appear to target cancer's energy metabolism. This episode explores: Why the somatic mutation theory no longer explains cancer's true origin How mitochondrial dysfunction drives tumor growth The critical role of glucose and glutamine fermentation in sustaining cancer cells Why targeting both fuels together is essential for effective therapy Emerging research on fenbendazole, mebendazole, and DON as tools in metabolic therapy The potential of a paradigm shift in oncology — from genes to metabolism Resources: This Podcast contains many scientific terms. To assist our readers in understanding them, we have created this glossary. The article with links, resources and full transcript can be found here: https://themossreport.com/s5-e13-prof-thomas-seyfried-mitochondrial-metabolic-theory/ Direct link to The Warburg hypothesis and the emergence of the mitochondrial metabolic theory of cancer https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10863-025-10059-w.pdf In the Journal https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10863-025-10059-w Mitochondrial Substrate-Level Phosphorylation as Energy Source for Glioblastoma: Review and Hypothesis Christos Chinopoulos & Thomas N. Seyfried Paper https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/1759091418818261?needAccess=true (PDF) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1177/1759091418818261 Christos Chinopoulos https://semmelweis.hu/english/2019/09/my-university-dr-christos-chinopoulos-and-the-rppa-facility/ Therapeutic benefit of combining calorie-restricted ketogenic diet and glutamine targeting in late-stage experimental glioblastoma https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31149644 Glucose Ketone Index Calculator Post https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4367849 Spreadsheet with calculator https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/instance/4367849/bin/12986_2015_9_MOESM1_ESM.xlsx Sam Apple - Ravenous https://amzn.to/4nr6YMP 🌿 The Moss Method – Fight Cancer Naturally – (Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1881025799/ 📘 The Moss Report Cancer Treatment Guides – https://themossreport.store/guides 📚 Dr. Moss' Full Catalog of Books on Cancer – https://themossreport.store/books/ 🌎 Full Transcript, Research Notes, Articles & Videos – https://www.themossreport.com 🤝 The Moss Report is sponsored by Mycolife.US - Makers of The World's Best Mushroom Extracts, including The Moss Method Mushroom Formula, available exclusively at https://www.mycolife.us/  

Matthew Halpert, PhD—immunologist and CEO of Immunocine—joins The Moss Report to discuss an important discovery: a new way to fully activate dendritic cells, the "coaches" of the immune system. When these cells switch on, they can recognize and attack cancer. We talk about what this could mean for the future of immunotherapy: approaches that are more targeted, potentially less toxic, and designed to help the body find what it has been missing. Dr. Halpert explains the insight behind the method, how it differs from current treatments, what early experience looks like, and the key questions that still need testing. If you follow immunotherapy—or are weighing options—this conversation captures a major step forward in understanding how the immune system can be guided to fight cancer. Full article on The Moss Report with transcript: https://www.themossreport.com/immunocine-cancer-center/ Glossary of Terms  https://docs.google.com/document/d/140Gt8VNgexyu-2vjfOgTdPdOqlaFAsvLTOVWLyGwGgE/edit?usp=sharing Cited Paper: MHC class I and II peptide homology regulates the cellular immune response - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32298026/ PubMed - Original Article in FASEB  https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/fj.201903002R Immunocine Cancer Center - https://immunocine.com/meet-the-immunocine-team/ Baylor College of Medicine - https://www.bcm.edu/ Resources: 🌿 The Moss Method – Fight Cancer Naturally – (Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1881025799/ 📘 The Moss Report Cancer Treatment Guides – https://themossreport.store/guides 📚 Dr. Moss' Full Catalog of Books on Cancer – https://themossreport.store/books/ 🌎 Full Transcript, Research Notes, Articles & Videos – https://www.themossreport.com 🤝 The Moss Report is sponsored by Mycolife.US - Makers of The World's Best Mushroom Extracts, including The Moss Method Mushroom Formula, available exclusively at https://www.mycolife.us/  

What makes an olive oil truly exceptional? In this episode, Ben Moss sits down with award-winning olive oil producer Richard Meisler, owner of San Miguel Olive Farm, to uncover the real story behind olive oil quality—what's on the label, and what isn't. From "Tree to Mill," Meisler explains the overlooked details that separate supermarket oil from the best-in-class, high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oils. They cover how farming practices, harvest timing, pressing methods, and storage all influence potency and flavor. Along the way, Meisler offers practical tips on how to recognize quality, avoid common pitfalls, and understand the difference between marketing and meaningful standards. A must-watch for anyone who uses olive oil—or wants to make it part of a healthy lifestyle. "Fill up that self-help space with scientifically documented ways to reduce your cancer risk." – Dr. Ralph W. Moss 🌎 Podcast with Full Transcript and Research Presentation https://www.themossreport.com/olive-oil-podcast-2/ 🌿 The Moss Method – Fight Cancer Naturally – (Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1881025799/ 📘 The Moss Report Cancer Treatment Guides – https://themossreport.store/guides 📚 Dr. Moss' Full Catalog of Books on Cancer – https://themossreport.store/books/ 🤝 The Moss Report is sponsored by Mycolife.US - Makers of The World's Best Mushroom Extracts, including The Moss Method Mushroom Formula, available exclusively at https://www.mycolife.us/ Products mentioned in this podcast: San Miguel Olive Farm - https://www.sanmiguelolivefarm.com/  

Ben and Dr. Ralph Moss take a deep dive into newly published research on extra virgin olive oil and its potential role in supporting cancer patients. The discussion covers reduced hand-foot syndrome during chemotherapy, specifically Xeloda (capecitabine), lowered all-cause mortality, and the reasons EVOO topped Dr. Moss's list of anti-cancer foods. The episode also examines how to understand real quality in olive oil—from taste to polyphenol content—and what to look for in a product that offers more than just flavor. "Fill up that self-help space with scientifically documented ways to reduce your cancer risk." – Dr. Ralph W. Moss 🌎 Podcast with Full Transcript and Research Presentation https://www.themossreport.com/olive-oil-podcast-2/ 🌿 The Moss Method – Fight Cancer Naturally – (Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1881025799/ 📘 The Moss Report Cancer Treatment Guides – https://themossreport.store/guides 📚 Dr. Moss' Full Catalog of Books on Cancer – https://themossreport.store/books/ 🤝 The Moss Report is sponsored by Mycolife.US - Makers of The World's Best Mushroom Extracts, including The Moss Method Mushroom Formula, available exclusively at https://www.mycolife.us/ Products mentioned in this podcast: California Olive Ranch - https://amzn.to/4lsC7y5Lucini Premium Select - https://amzn.to/45TLIK5 Life Extension - https://www.lifeextension.com/vitamins-supplements/item02008/california-estate-extra-virgin-olive-oil?cjdata=MXxOfDB8WXww&utm_source=cj.com&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=6091870&cjevent=f2a1879e55c411f0806903870a82b820 Studies relating to this topic: Andayani YD, Saleh MI, Sudoyo AW, et al. Effect of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil on Hand Foot Syndrome and hs-CRP in Patients Receiving Capecitabine: A Randomized Trial. Acta Med Indones. 2023 Oct;55(4):396-402. PMID: 38213043. https://www.actamedindones.org/index.php/ijim/article/view/2534/pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38213043/ Bonfiglio C, Reddavide R, Cisternino AM, et al. Protective Effect of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Cancers, Gastrointestinal Cancers, and All-Cause Mortality: A Competing Risk Analysis in a Southern Italian Cohort. Cancers (Basel). 2024 Oct 23;16(21):3575. doi: 10.3390/cancers16213575. PMID: 39518016; PMCID: PMC11545239. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39518016/ Toledo E, Salas-Salvadó J, Donat-Vargas C, et al. Mediterranean Diet and Invasive Breast Cancer Risk Among Women at High Cardiovascular Risk in the PREDIMED Trial: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2015 Nov;175(11):1752-1760. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.4838. Erratum in: JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Dec 1;178(12):1731-1732. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.6460. PMID: 26365989. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26365989/  

With so many studies, headlines, and expert opinions, how do you know what cancer research to trust? In this episode, Ben Moss and Dr. Ralph Moss share decades of experience reading and evaluating cancer studies. They walk through the essential questions they ask before trusting a paper—and offer simple, powerful tips anyone can use to separate solid science from hype or misleading data. 📘 Download the Free DIY Research Guide Learn how to evaluate studies like a professional. 👉 https://themossreport.store/product/diy-guide Full Episode with Transcript and more: https://www.themossreport.com/s5-e9-research-cancer/ 🔗 Explore More: 📚 The Moss Report Cancer Treatment Guides: https://themossreport.store/guides 🌿 The Moss Method – Fight Cancer Naturally (book): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1881025799/ The Moss Method Mushroom Formula by Mycolife https://www.mycolife.us/ #CancerResearch #TheMossReport #ScientificStudies #HealthLiteracy #EvidenceBased #DIYResearch