Our Best Defense Against Cancer

Welcome to another edition of the Doctor’s Note where we talk about what’s on our minds when it comes to your health. 

This week I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Jamal Maatouk, a deeply compassionate and insightful oncologist who brings not only clinical expertise but also a profound sense of faith and intuition to her practice. Our discussion was wide-ranging and impactful—we covered not just cancer treatment itself, but also the powerful influence of lifestyle, mindset, and meaningful connection in both healing and end-of-life care.

Dr. Maatouk shared her remarkable journey from Lebanon to the United States and how her calling to medicine shifted from surgical oncology to a more holistic, internal medicine-based approach. She emphasized that cancer care—and truly, all medicine—is about treating the whole person, not just applying “cookbook” protocols. We discussed the concerning rise of cancer diagnoses, the importance of listening deeply to patients, and how factors like chronic stress and negative emotions can weaken our immune defenses. Her wisdom reminded me that medicine is an art and that helping patients find peace, purpose, and even acceptance—whether healing or at the end of life—can be just as important as the medical treatments themselves.

PODCAST NOTES 

• Rising Cancer Rates and Lifestyle’s Role: Cancer is on the rise, with not only more cases being diagnosed, but also cases of multiple or more aggressive cancers in single patients. Lifestyle choices—including poor diet, lack of regular exercise, persistent anxiety, and stress—alongside our increasingly toxic and sedentary environment, are significant contributors to this trend.

• Genetics Versus Environment: Only a small percentage (about 4-5%) of cancers are primarily due to genetic inheritance. The overwhelming majority develop due to what Dr. Maatouk calls “epigenetics”—the cumulative effect of our environment, diet, thought patterns, and emotional states on our body’s biology and genetic expression.

• Holistic Patient Care: Dr. Maatouk insists on treating every patient as an integrated individual, considering their physical health, emotional wellbeing, and spiritual outlook. She adapts her approach to each person, sometimes providing direct information, and other times gentle guidance, always seeking to connect with patients at a deep, “soul” level.

• Power of Immune System and Calm Mind: Our best defense against cancer is a strong, resilient immune system. Dr. Maatouk explained that chronic fear and stress can suppress immunity, giving cancers a greater chance to develop and grow. Building healthy habits—nutritious eating, restful sleep, nurturing relationships, and a calm, positive mindset—supports our body’s natural healing mechanisms.

• The Problem with “Cookbook Medicine”: There’s a real danger in treating patients strictly “by the book” or according to rigid board guidelines. Both Dr. Maatouk and I believe that true medicine is an art—drawing on our experience, intuition, and deep listening to find what’s best for each patient, rather than applying “one size fits all” solutions.

• Addressing Fear and Death with Compassion: Cancer care often involves helping patients process their deepest fears—not just about illness, but about mortality. Dr. Maatouk feels it’s her mission to help patients (and their families) come to peace with the idea of death, seeing it as a natural transition rather than something to be feared, and guiding them patiently based on their emotional readiness.

• Epigenetics: We Can Influence Our Genes: Our genes are not our destiny. The science of epigenetics tells us that everyday choices—how we nourish ourselves, what we think, how we feel—can “turn on” or “turn off” genes associated with disease, including cancer. This means that even those with genetic risk factors can significantly influence their future health.

• Need for Accountability and Long-Term Support: All the advice and guidance in the world is only helpful if it’s followed and integrated over time. Dr. Maatouk and I discussed the importance of building accountability and ongoing support into healthcare—using check-ins, coaching, or innovative tracking programs—to help patients sustain positive changes and build real momentum for healing.

In closing, I want to thank Dr. Maatouk for sharing her wisdom and heartfelt approach. Her work is a powerful reminder that lasting health comes from treating the person, not the diagnosis—from compassionate connection, intuitive insight, and the courage to look outside the box. 

As you reflect on your own health journey (or support a loved one through theirs), consider the impact of your daily choices—both external and internal—on your long-term wellbeing. If these ideas resonate, please share this Doctor’s Note with someone who might benefit. Together, let’s spread knowledge, encourage self-reflection, and create a healthier community for all. 

Stay educated. Stay healthy. 

Till next week.