Dr Leigh Erin Connealy shares her secrets to staying cancer-free, disease-free and thriving for life
Every year, heart disease, cancer and prescription drugs claim the lives of millions of people across the globe. We are getting sicker and sicker and being diagnosed with often-preventable diseases earlier and earlier. Cancer and heart disease used to afflict only “old people.” But times are changing.
Early in my career, I used to say that our bodies were under warranty until around age 40 or 45, but unfortunately that’s no longer true. Many people find themselves in repair and maintenance mode as early as their 30s and 40s.
I see patients every day in their 70s and 80s who are not sputtering along in states of disrepair and disease but instead thriving. So, what are their secrets?
It starts with prevention, early detection, and a commitment to supporting and nurturing the mind-body connection.
Make routine checkups a priority
My healthiest patients are those who come to see me regularly, typically through annual checkups. To keep the car analogy going, you’d run out of oil and burn through your engine if you didn’t get consistent oil checks and have a technician run routine diagnostics.
The same goes for your body. During these annual checkups, we examine several key aspects of your health closely.
Physical exams / bloodwork. Like in any routine physical examination, we test a patient’s vitals, conduct visual and manual assessments, and order bloodwork. We pay special attention to hormones, C-reactive protein levels (a key marker of inflammation) and any numbers that seem “off.”
If a patient has a family history of cancer or a higher risk of disease, we may order additional testing. For example, the RGCC suite of tests can detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) long before a lump or bump presents.
Bioimmune survey. Many integrative practitioners, including me, use energy testing to identify potential health issues in their patients. One way to do this is with the bio-meridian test (also called bioimmune testing).
This noninvasive, innovative method checks for interruptions along the body’s meridians, the same energy paths used in acupuncture. Blockages along certain pathways indicate issues with specific organs and bodily systems. This testing can uncover potential problems months—even years—before symptoms arise.
F-Scan. Another noninvasive diagnostic device we often use, this biofeedback screening tool helps identify imbalances in the body quickly and painlessly by screening for harmful pathogens, parasites and other bodily stressors. It works on the premise that all living organisms emit unique electromagnetic frequencies.
During the scan, electrodes are placed on the skin to detect the body’s electromagnetic signals. The device then sends a frequency sweep that interacts with cells, tissues and organs. If a frequency emitted by the body matches that of a known pathogen, it may indicate an imbalance.
The results provide a comprehensive snapshot of the patient’s current health, highlighting any areas that may warrant further investigation. Our practitioners use this feedback to tailor treatment plans that target the root causes of cancer and other diseases rather than just treating symptoms.
Heavy metal / mineral deficiency testing. The world is laden with toxic heavy metals. Known toxins, such as arsenic, lead, mercury, aluminum, cadmium, chromium, copper and nickel, can contaminate our soil, drinking water, air and personal care products.
In a new study published in the journal Science, researchers analyzed soil from nearly 800,000 sampling points around the world. Alarmingly, they revealed that “14 to 17 percent of cropland is affected by toxic metal pollution globally and [scientists] estimate that between 0.9 and 1.4 billion people live in regions of heightened public health and ecological risks.”1
Heavy metals wreak havoc on health, causing neurological issues, gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular concerns and even cancer. On the other hand, low levels of minerals and nutrients are also a concern.
According to a recent study by the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Medicine, at least half the global population is deficient in necessary vitamins and minerals like calcium, iodine, vitamin C and B vitamins.2 The lack of nutrients creates imbalances in the body, setting the stage for disease.
One remarkable noninvasive tool we use to detect excess heavy metals and mineral deficiencies is the Oligoscan. It provides an almost instant picture of a patient’s trace mineral reserves, oxidative stress and toxic heavy metal burden. From there, we can craft a treatment plan based on the type and level of minerals and metals it reveals.
Emotional healing with EVOX. A significant aspect of integrative medicine is considering a patient’s health as a whole. A big part of that is emotional well-being. We dive deep into past traumas, unresolved conflicts, and chronic stress and anxiety that may have been piling up for months or years.
Many people are unaware of the devastating effects that unresolved conflicts and ongoing stress have on the body. In fact, every cancer patient I’ve ever seen has noted some serious element of emotional healing that was left untreated. Emotional well-being is so crucial to good health that I recommend everyone, regardless of health status, undergo EVOX therapy.
EVOX therapy reduces stress and anxiety and heals emotional trauma through perception reframing. When a person speaks, the energy in their voice reflects their subconscious feelings about specific topics.
The device records this voice energy, maps it on a Perception Index graph, and identifies frequency signatures that shift those emotional patterns. These frequencies are then delivered through a hand cradle while the patient listens to calming music and focuses on the topic being addressed.
It’s a powerful tool that supports emotional healing by helping to “remap the brain,” relieve stress and anxiety at the root, and heal past emotional wounds.
Mainstream screenings. Sometimes people are surprised to learn that we recommend a handful of more mainstream diagnostic tools in addition to integrative modalities. We may recommend whole-body MRIs for at-risk patients. And PET scans and CT scans are sometimes necessary to obtain an accurate picture of what’s happening in the body or to track disease.
To see breast tissue clearly, other screenings, such as thermography or QT imaging, may be required.
A balanced body is a happy body
In my new fully revised and updated second edition of The Cancer Revolution (published in August 2025), I repeatedly discuss the importance of maintaining a balanced state within the body—homeostasis. When our organs and systems are in disarray, whether it’s from chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, high blood sugar levels, emotional trauma or other disruptions, it sets the stage for diseases like cancer to take root.
The healthiest older people I know work hard to keep their bodies in homeostasis. Regular use of the modalities and screening tests listed above plays a significant role in the process.
Common practices of healthy people
People who genuinely care about their well-being are intentional about their health. They focus on nourishing their body, mind and spirit daily, approaching these goals in various ways.
Here are some common practices of my healthiest patients.
A clean diet. The body simply can’t function properly if you feed it garbage. Eliminate processed foods, added sugars, simple carbohydrates and toxic seed oils. Focus instead on green, leafy vegetables and colorful fruits (organic, if possible), grass-fed and pasture-raised lean protein, organic dairy, and healthful fats.
It’s also crucial to drink plenty of clean, filtered water every day to stay properly hydrated. If you wait until you’re thirsty to get a drink, early dehydration has already begun. Coffee and tea are both okay, but my go-to recommendation is water. And if it’s hydrogen water, all the better.
Gut health support. One of the first areas integrative practitioners focus on is optimizing gut health. Research continues to confirm the gut’s crucial role in every aspect of health. In addition to ensuring proper digestion and assisting with metabolism, good gut health has a profound impact on the immune system.
I strongly recommend a daily high-quality probiotic supplement. It’s also helpful to eat probiotic foods regularly, such as yogurt, kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh and kefir.
Good sleep hygiene. Your body heals and repairs during slumber, and not getting a solid seven to nine hours of shut-eye each night can negatively impact your health in multiple ways. Improve your sleep by sleeping in a cool, dark room; going to bed at the same time each night (ideally around 10 p.m.) and waking at the same time each morning.
Avoid caffeine after noon if you’re sensitive and opt for natural sleep aids such as melatonin, GABA, valerian or L-theanine if you need them. Avoid blue-light-emitting devices for at least an hour before bed and consider using blue-blocking glasses in the evening.
Physical activity. Inactivity breeds ill health and disease, so it’s essential to get moving if you want to stay healthy. A key area to focus on—especially as we get older—is resistance training.
It’s crucial to lift weights, do exercises that build muscle using your own body weight, or even use a Power Plate or other whole-body vibration platform, which stimulates muscles throughout the body. Strength training at least twice a week is ideal.
The important thing is to build—and retain—muscle mass. If longevity is your goal, you need to build muscle. Period. As for other exercises, find an activity that you enjoy and participate in that form of exercise most days of the week for at least 30–60 minutes.
Daily detox. Our world is dirtier than ever, so daily detoxification is a must if you want to thrive. You can do most of these detox practices at home, in a wellness center or at a spa near you.
- Sauna
- Lymphatic stimulation (dry brushing, rebounding, massage)
- Nightly baths with Epsom salt and detoxifying minerals
Laughter and gratitude. Laughter is powerful medicine, and the happiest people are often the healthiest. Laughing boosts the immune system, stimulates blood flow, reduces pain, mitigates stress hormones and improves lung function.
Gratitude offers similar benefits. Practicing gratitude enhances mental health, improves sleep, reduces anxiety and fosters a more positive outlook on life.
In that same vein, surrounding yourself with a loving network of friends, family members, neighbors and spiritual leaders can bring humor, a grateful heart and light into your life. These human connections are essential for optimal health and wellness.
Prescription drugs are a leading cause of death
Another common theme among my healthiest older patients is that they avoid taking prescription drugs whenever possible. These medications—even when used as prescribed—can have disastrous effects on health.
According to a 2024 report from the IQVIA Institute, people are taking more prescription drugs every year.1 Some experts have begun to speak up about the dangers—one, Dr Peter Gøtzsche, estimates nearly 900,000 people die in the US every year due to taking prescription drugs. In the UK, thousands die every year just from peptic ulcers caused by taking “harmless” over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).2
Many people in their 70s and 80s are taking fistfuls of prescription medications every single day. These drugs have side-effect lists a mile long, may have adverse interactions with each other, and are often misused or abused.
Natural and safe solutions, ranging from lifestyle changes to therapies to nutritional supplements, exist for nearly every imaginable health condition. I urge you to investigate your options and work with a practitioner skilled in holistic medicine if you’re diagnosed with any disease that “requires” a prescription drug. Doing so may well save your life.
To find a physician in your area who is well versed in natural approaches, visit the website of the American College of Advancement in Medicine (acam.org) or the Institute for Functional Medicine (ifm.org).
Innovative therapies for health
Several innovative therapies offer alternatives to traditional medications, surgeries and other conventional medical interventions. Here are some of our most popular and regularly prescribed modalities, many of which are routinely used by my patients in their golden years.
IV treatments
Receiving vitamins, nutrients and other substances intravenously allows potent, higher doses to be infused into the body, ensuring optimal absorption and efficacy. This delivery system also bypasses the digestive tract, avoiding stomach upset.
High-dose IV vitamin C is a well-studied cancer treatment that creates an environment in the body that is selectively toxic to cancer cells. IV curcumin also has powerful anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, we regularly use IV mistletoe as it stimulates the immune system, promotes cancer cell death and helps protect healthy cells during chemotherapy treatments.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
Oxygen is vital to our health, right down to the cellular level. Breathing in 100 percent oxygen in a special pressurized chamber ensures that this crucial element is dissolved into all the body’s fluids (blood, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid) and effectively delivered into every tissue, capillary and cell.
Inundating the body with this healing element facilitates wellness in several ways, including accelerating wound healing, reducing systemic inflammation, combating infections and enhancing cognitive function. It’s a multifaceted therapy with endless potential for healing.
Frequency medicine
Every living being runs on electricity. The voltage that runs throughout our bodies powers every system, from the heartbeat and nerve signaling to muscle contractions and cellular repair.
Frequency medicine harnesses this natural energy by using specific vibrations to promote balance, alleviate stress and facilitate the body’s healing process more effectively. The therapies under this umbrella are remarkable treatments for restoring the body’s alignment, preventing disease and ensuring our cells remain healthy and “charged.”
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient healing technique that helps restore the body’s natural energy flow, or “qi,” along pathways called meridians. It’s widely used to relieve stress, improve circulation and support tissue repair. Rooted in Eastern medicine, acupuncture is a safe and holistic approach to improving overall health and addressing many common health conditions.