James's Story

I’m a 57-year-old man, 6-foot, 3-inches tall and have generally been slim throughout my life. I lived most of it believing I could eat pretty much whatever I wanted to. I commute 90 minutes to work three days a week, and often the drive included a 22-ounce bottle of diet Dr. Pepper, and two Clif bars, or a bag of almond M&Ms before breakfast. Also, we had a freezer full of fresh caught Alaskan salmon that we fished for the previous summer. Believing that to be healthy food, we ate baked fish often. 

My life abruptly changed in March 2017. A routine blood test for cholesterol revealed a different number of concern. My Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) number of 5.30 exceeded the 4.0 threshold as a marker for possible prostate cancer. The subsequent biopsy  on April 4th, revealed that I had a low-grade form (Gleason 6) of prostate cancer. Suddenly I was afraid my life might all end way too soon.

 Through additional testing in May, I learned I had two tumors that were 1 and 2.5 millimeters in size. Although these weren’t large, it’s scary to live your life believing all is fine, only to find out otherwise. A quarterly blood test in July revealed I had a gradually rising PSA, which again indicated cancer growing inside my prostate gland.

I belong to a cancer support website. This is where I first learned about plant- based eating, and possible benefits that go along with it. I learned of the effects animal- based foods have on the body and reasoned I wasn’t doing myself any favors by blindly continuing what probably created my cancer in the first place. The end of August, I decided to go all in and eat a plant-based diet. My days began with an antioxidant rich smoothie. Lunch consisted of tofu, beans, onions and garlic, and spices. Dinners were often salads or steamed vegetables. Snacks all fell well within the plant- based guidelines.

Following this diet for two months, I got my PSA checked, and it dropped to 4.62. Later, in January, it dropped again to 4.35. In March, I returned to the doctor who would do my cancer treatment when needed except my annual MRI after seven months of plant- based eating revealed surprising results: “Negative for clinically significant prostate cancer!” I’ll admit I was happy as I felt like I proved exactly what I’d read in the books on plant- based eating. Still, I was guardedly optimistic. I wanted to build up months, maybe even years to show this really works. In the meantime, the MRI image indeed looked clear with zero inflammation or anything abnormal. Although it looked empty, we surmised that the tumors were likely still there but too small to see.

My doctor was pleased to share good news as he said that doesn’t happen often enough. He recommended a PSA blood test in six months and the annual MRI in March 2019. Instead, I chose blood tests every quarter with the next in May when my PSA came back at 3.50! My diet isn’t anything amazing. I put it together and follow it daily, especially for breakfast and lunch. But, regardless I don’t stray from the path of eating plants, because I don’t believe cancer affords me the luxury to “cheat.” Has it been tough? NO! About the only issue is ensuring I get all the nutrients I need. To help meet these needs, I started taking Dr.  Fuhrman’s Men’s Daily Formula + D3. This addition has helped me feel energized and ready for my day. It also led me to “Super Immunity,” which further enhanced my diet choices.

The thing I like about eating this way is I don’t crave sweet or salty snacks; I have no interest in a juicy steak or a bowl of ice cream. Oh, I sometimes imagine indulging in one of these former “treats,” but now I eat for nutrition, not taste. I’m satisfied knowing the food I put in my body is what it needs to operate at its best. One thing that hasn’t changed is I’m still tall and lean. But now, I’m also healthy!

Results may vary.