1

“What the Great Champions know, yet Coaches seldom teach”

REVEALED

2

This book is a

LIFE CHANGER

It will change the way you think about cancer.

It’s also a gift of possibility. Please share it with everyone you care about.

3

First published by TGP MEDIA in 2017

© Robert A. Opie, 2017

The Game Plan is a Johannesburg and Durban based Specialist Brand Consultancy

Websites: www.thegameplan.co.za and www.cancerchampions.co

Cover design, graphics and website thanks to Marc and Brittany at

Collectiv : www.clctiv.com

Thanks to all those who gave their valued input in edit process .Thanks Team

Special thanks to Rachel Bey Miller for her input during final edit process, and Dave Hendersen’s team at MyeBook.co.za

Thank you to all the great champions who selflessly shared their esoteric knowledge

and collective wisdom contained within these ‘life changing ’pages – without you

‘What every woman should know about Breast Cancer ‘would not have happened!

Thanks to you, we at The Game Plan have the opportunity through Project Cancer Champions,

to pursue our vision of making this a happier and healthier planet.

Project Cancer Champions:

‘Changing the Way of the World – One Life at a Time’

____________________________________________

All rights reserved.

Edit and layout by TGP Media (Pty) Ltd in 2016

53 Aspen, Kopje road

Morningside

Johannesburg

South Africa

Set in Berkeley Old style 9.8/13.5pt

______________________________________________

Disclaimer: An important note to the reader

______________________________________________

The information contained in this book is not intended as medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for

consulting with your medical doctor. This information is shared to help you to do life better, and may not address all possible

actions, precautions, side effects or interactions.

All matters regarding your health require the supervision of a medical doctor who is familiar with your medical needs.

4

About the Author ..…. ………………………………..…..…...……………….….……………. 6

Introduction………………….…………………………….……………………….……………... 8

How to Conquer –and prevent

BREAST CANCER: REVEALED

PART ONE

1. The Reality Check …………………………………………….….…….…………………….…...10

2. Understanding Dis-ease ………..……..…………………………………………………………...12

PART TWO:

3. Why breast cancer? Why me? Why now?...…………..………………………………..…………..15

4. THE FOUR VITAL STEPS on your journey back to health and happiness………..…………...…19

5. Change your Life. ………………….................................................................................................23

PART THREE

Frequently asked questions………………………………………………………………..……….. 25

Conclusion……………………………………………………………..……………………………32

5

About the Author

About the Author

6

About the author

Rob Opie is a University of Cape Town Business Science graduate, the founder of THE GAME PLAN, Entrepreneur, Brand Expert, International Speaker, Author and High Performance Coach to teams and individuals. He has dedicated the second half of his career to researching human greatness. He helps people to achieve their greatest potential in both their professional and personal lives. One of the things he is most proud of is the non- profit work he does through his “Cancer Champions ‘’ initiative and his cancer resource site at: www.cancerchampions.co. Through ‘’Cancer Champions’’ he helps people who find themselves stuck at some point in their journey through life - and having to face up to one of life’s greatest challenges – one called cancer. Rob has helped many cancer patients to bounce back and live fulfilled lives of happiness and health. Cancer Champions: Changing the way of the world. One life at a time.

_________________________________________________________

For more than two decades I have researched what the great champions of life know, do, and do not do in order to live happier and healthier lives. My special interest in helping cancer patients began way back in 1999, with the untimely death of one of my golfing buddies to colon cancer – the legendary West Indian cricketer, Malcolm ‘Macko’ Marshall. His death created a burning desire to find the answers where none seemed to exist. A burning desire to find the answers for those facing up to cancer.

They don’t always make the headlines, but among the great champions of life are not just those who have won Olympic Gold or conquered Everest, but also the many who have conquered cancer.’

It takes guts and human ingenuity to conquer one of life’s greatest challenges. In this book, I share the life- changing strategies and tactics of Cancer Champions:

Those who have conquered cancer I pay special tribute to Cancer Champions like Nelson Mandela, Lance Armstrong, Kylie Minogue, Martina Navratilova – and many less famous who have selflessly shared their esoteric knowledge and collective wisdom to help others to live:

“ happier and healthier lives’’ For more Insights, Innovation and Inspiration, please visit our non –profit Cancer Resource site.

www.cancerchampions.co

Get in Touch: robopie@thegameplan.co.za

7

Introduction

Message

8

Introduction When United States President Richard Nixon signed the National Cancer Act into effect in 1971, most Americans – and the rest of the world – believed that if America could put a man on the moon, the war against cancer would soon be over. More than 45 years later rogue cancer cells continue to cause death destroy lives and devastate families. Every day in the US alone, more than 1500 people succumb to the dis-ease. In South Africa that number is estimated to be 150. Worldwide more people die of cancer than Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria combined. Every year more than 14 million people worldwide hear the words.

‘’You’ve got cancer’’ One in four South Africans is associated with cancer in some form or another. Either they have it themselves, or they have a relative or a friend battling the dis - ease. In April 2013, Time magazine reported that:

‘’The probability of developing some type of cancer over one’s life time is for men, one in two, and for women, one in three.’’ Despite the genius advances of modern medicine in symptomatic cancer treatments and early detection programmes, there is still a distinct lack of progress. Recently there has been talk about cancer dream teams in the US who are collaborating to find the cure, but in reality something needs change – to effect different results. Forty five years on, what is required is a:

Fundamentally Different Approach The purpose of this book is to give you a new perspective on cancer, by sharing with you what the great Cancer Champions know, do, and do not do – to conquer one of life’s greatest challenges. The good news is that cancer can be conquered. This book will empower you by providing you with a practical guide on how to conquer and prevent breast cancer. It will change the way you view cancer. Once you have read this book, you will know that cancer is not the enemy that most people perceive it to be, but rather an opportunity to improve your life – an opportunity to do life better. This book will put the power firmly back in your hands.

‘’In hindsight, cancer has been a blessing. I view the gift of life and living, with an infinitely more spiritual perspective and appreciate the miraculous balancing act that underpins all our life experiences , in a new way.’’

Inspirational words from a Cancer Champion

9

Gre

at is not something one is given in life. Great is something one must take in life. At age 34, the 2015 Rugby World Cup will probably be New Zealand rugby captain – Richie McCaw’s swansong, so I took some time to find out what has taken this legend to the very top of world rugby and kept him there.

Chapter One

The Reality

“I came. I saw. I conquered”

Julius Caesar

Check

10

The Reality Check

‘’You’ve got cancer’’

These daunting words can invoke fear, panic, helplessness, uncertainty and often a sensation of little hope. But, this need not be the case, if one takes heed of the “Cancer Message’’. By searching the Internet, you’ll have found cancer sites flooded with information, but starved of the real insight, innovation and the inspiration that you require to bounce back to:

Health and Happiness In this book, I will share with you insights, innovation and inspiration – to help you to conquer – and prevent cancer. The good news is that breast cancer can be conquered, but for most facing up to breast cancer, it will require a fundamental change in approach – a fundamental change in lifestyle. Are you open? Are you ready? Most doctors believe that cancer is the enemy, and the preferred approach is to fight cancer cells with a triad of potent symptomatic treatment processes, namely chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. But, in reality, what cancer patients really want to know and understand is:

Why cancer? Why me? Why now? A wise medical doctor once told me that pain is our friend. Pain is the human body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Pain carries a message. In the very same way, cancer carries a message. And it’s the knowledge of “The Cancer Message” which enables one to bounce back to a fulfilled journey though life of health and happiness. Let’s begin the new journey together.

Inspiration from Everest

The good news is that just like Everest, Cancer can be conquered.

To conquer one of life’s greatest challenges you will need the right strategies and tactics.

These will all be shared with you in Chapter Four – making your climb up the mountain far easier.

But, upfront it’s important to know that no one ever bullies Everest. The mountain carries a

message, and so does cancer.

To conquer, one must take heed of “The Cancer Message’’

11

Understanding Dis-ease

Understanding Dis-ease

Chapter Two

Pain is not the enemy. It’s the human body’s way of telling you

something is wrong –something is putting you out of balance.

12

Understanding dis-ease ‘’Everyone has a doctor within him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well.’’

Hippocrates (460-377BC)

In life and health, it’s vital to understand the difference between:

‘’ a state of ease and a state of dis-ease” Let’s explore further. In reality, the human body is built tough. It can take many knocks and it has an innate ability to bounce back from most challenges. The genius of acute modern medicine means we are now living longer and longer lives, but the startling cancer statistics do not lie. We are getting it humanly wrong. When it comes to our understanding of the universal principles of health and life, which govern our daily lives, we are getting it humanly wrong. Here’s how: In health, the human body is designed to operate in a state of balance – and functions optimally as a harmonious, synchronised unit. When the mind, body and spirit are all in sync, there is an optimal state of life balance. We are tasked with creating and maintaining this ongoing state of balance, so that the human body can do its job. This is called a ‘’state of ease’’. However, as emotional beings, we live mostly hectic, fast-paced lives and many stressors are often responsible for disturbing and disrupting this optimum state of balance. Sometimes, we get it unwittingly wrong. Sometimes, we get it habitually wrong. We create fertile ground for a state of imbalance to evolve. One of the most powerful universal principles of health and life reads as follows: ‘’Too much or too little of anything for too long, creates a state of imbalance’’

An ongoing state of imbalance will eventually trigger a ‘’state of dis-ease’’. We can create this state of dis-ease (state of imbalance) from one or more of the three realms of life and health, namely Physical, Chemical and Emotional realms. Let’s look at a few examples: Firstly in the PHYSICAL realm of life and health: This happens when we feed our body with too much or too little of something for too long.

13

For instance, an example of a physical imbalance is sunburn. We trigger a state of dis-ease by staying in the sun for too long. Too much sun proves toxic for the human body. Secondly, in the CHEMICAL realm of life and health: This happens when we feed our mouths with too much or too little of something for too long. For instance, an example of a chemical imbalance is a hangover .We trigger a state of dis-ease when we drink too much alcohol. Too much alcohol proves toxic for the human body. Thirdly, in the EMOTIONAL realm of life and health: This happens when we feed our minds with too much or too little of something for too long For instance, an example of an emotional imbalance is cancer. We trigger a state of dis-ease when we fill our minds with too much negativity. Too much proves toxic for the human mind - and body.

When the human body detects a physical, chemical or emotional toxin, it comes rushing to our assistance by sending us a pain message – a bodily symptom. It’s urging us to stop subjecting the mind and body to the toxin – and move fast to re-establish:

An Optimal State of Balance

Hence the body is compelling one to remove the physical, chemical or emotional toxin. Pain is the body’s way of protecting, informing and guiding. Here is the point:

The symptom is NEVER the problem – it’s merely the messenger. The message can vary from minor states of dis-ease like sunburn – to serious life threatening ones like cancer. It’s our task to take heed of the message – and make the necessary lifestyle changes. Get out the sun. Stop consuming alcohol, or in the case of cancer – stop the ongoing negativity. In the next chapter, I will reveal which negative toxic emotion is solely responsible for the message called cancer. Every cancer patient has it. But, for now, here’s some great news about any ‘’state of dis-ease” – some inspiration for you. The human body has its own innate intelligence and a wonderful ability to bounce back to health. Just as we can unwittingly and habitually create any “state of dis-ease “(a state of imbalance), so can we also re- create a ‘’state of ease’’ (a state of optimal balance). Wow. We just need to give the body a chance to do its job right.

‘’Love your life and body and good things happen .Transformation through finding harmony in your life leads to self-induced healing.’’

Dr. Bernie Siegel

14

Why Me? Why now?

Chapter Three

Why Breast Cancer?

“You can tell whether a man is clever by his answer. You can tell whether a

man is wise by his questions."

Naguib Mahfouzne

15

Why breast cancer? Why me? Why now?

This chapter will change the way you think about cancer, as it shares the surprisingly simple truth behind what causes:

Breast Cancer Do you want to know? We live in the most medically advanced society that mankind has ever known, yet we remain in near ignorance of some of the powerful universal principles of health and life that govern our daily lives. The genius of modern medicine can never be doubted, but it has conditioned us to fight pain – and hence fight cancer with potent symptomatic drugs. But, in reality one really wants to know:

Why cancer? Why me? Why now? The symptomatic approach of conventional medicine therefore often leads to the “cancer message” being largely ignored. But, here’s the good news. If one asks the right questions – one will arrive at the right answers. And get the answers that really matter. The human smart question is:

What’s the one COMMON DENOMINATOR - which every single cancer patient has? Yes, there is only one common one. (And it’s not cigarettes or anything physical or chemical) Surprisingly, this one and only common denominator, does not evolve from either of the physical or chemical realms of life and health – as most people like to believe. It evolves from by far the most powerful realm of health and life – the EMOTIONAL realm. Of all the cancer patients which I have either researched or helped through hundreds of case studies – I have found only one common denominator – one common toxin. Every cancer patient has it. Holding onto a highly toxic negative emotion, called:

LONG TERM RESENTMENT: THE BIG ‘R’

Whether it’s held consciously or sub-consciously, it’s always there in every single cancer patient. Most cancer patients are totally unaware, as the resentment resides mostly in the sub – conscious mind – the store house of the human mind.

16

When this underlying resentment continues unabated over a long period of time, a tipping point is reached and breached. Holding onto this toxin emotion will eventually trigger the “cancer message”. Long term resentment is therefore the potent “fuel of cancer” – the cause of cancer. In reality, most of us have little or no awareness of the mind-body connection and how consciously or sub consciously held toxic emotions can play havoc with our health and lives. So, let’s then look at this concept further.

Resentment is a messy and confusing emotion to handle. It’s bitter indignation. It’s insidious. It festers. It’s toxic. It’s belief that one has been treated unfairly and it can go on for years and years. It drives internal repressed anger, pain, and human frailty. Ultimately it creates a human emotional state of imbalance – and a “state of dis-ease” triggers. It’s this ongoing state of imbalance which sends human cell formation process into life-threatening disarray. This is the way of the human body as explained in Chapter Two. The human body is creating a physical symptom – sending out a stern message – to say stop subjecting the mind and body to this highly toxic emotion. A tipping point has been reached and breached. It can be best likened to the flashing fuel gauge in your car The fuel gauge flashes. THE CANCER MESSAGE flashes:

It’s time to return the mind and body to its optimal state of balance. Ok, so you now want to know more of how long term resentment manifests in the specific case of breast cancer. The female breasts are designed to breastfeed: to nurture and to nourish, but, they are designed to do this for a limited time period only. The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breast-feeding for a period of six months. Often, caring, kind and giving women are inclined to continue ‘figuratively breastfeeding’ their children, sometimes their husbands (or someone close to them), or sometimes a cause– for very long periods of time – sometimes their whole lives. By giving more and more of themselves for a long period of time, they are unwittingly and habitually creating an ongoing state of imbalance in their lives. The Universal Principle of Balance dictates that one must “Give and Take” in life. By habitually giving and giving of oneself, one unwittingly puts oneself on a bumpy road called imbalance. Ultimately this can trigger breast cancer. How? Breast cancer patients all have a common personality trait.

17

At heart they are people pleasers. They are givers and by focusing too much on giving, they neglect to nurture and nourish themselves. They give too much of themselves – their lives – to their loved ones for too long, until one day no nourishment is left for themselves. They neglect their own true aspirations in life – for the sake of others.

‘’I know for myself, having breast cancer means a refusal to nourish the self. I spent every minute serving someone else and did not take care of myself.’’

Cindy Giles: Cancer Champion

Ultimately one’s own nourishment well runs dry. The human energy well runs dry. Underlying it all, one will always find a very high level of subconsciously driven resentment. While striving for their ideal world and not believing that they can actually resent their loved ones – their emotionally degenerative lifestyle continues unabated. One day the breast cancer message triggers, sending a stern universal health and life message to

Restore life balance. Stop figuratively breastfeeding others. Become more nurturing, nourishing and loving of one. Learn to say the word NO.

This is not to say that one must change one’s personality, but merely seek to restore life balance. A fundamental lifestyle change is required. Ok, if you still not sure, put it to the test. Forget all the distracting cancer messages – all the noise that you hear about what does and does not cause cancer in the media – and you will discover that every breast cancer patient has it. Either conscious or sub-consciously held long term resentment. It’s just there.

Giving to some person in their lives. Giving to some others in their lives. Giving to some cause in their lives – for far too long. The resulting emotion is long term resentment – and it’s an emotion that will turn toxic at some point in time. Consequently, conquering breast cancer means learning to nourish and nurture oneself first and foremost. Conquering cancer requires self honesty, and an equal measure of self love. The healing will begin when one can openly and honestly say the power words:

I Get It. Now for the four vital steps on your journey back to health and happiness.

18

“I will not attend an anti - war rally, but if you have a peace rally - invite

me.” Mother Theresa

Vital Steps

on your journey back to health and happiness

Chapter Four

The FOUR

19

The four VITAL STEPS on your journey back to Health and Happiness

Lance Armstrong in his book: ‘’It’s Not About the Bike’’, selflessly shared the four step model he used to conquer cancer. Sadly, it has gone mostly unnoticed and unappreciated for its immense value to the world. In this chapter, I will distill Lance Armstrong’s model, and overlay it with the strategies and tactics used by many other great Cancer Champions – and share it all with you through a powerful four step model to both:

’Conquer and prevent cancer’ The esoteric knowledge and collective wisdom which underpins the model is designed to put the power back in your hands – so that you can go on and conquer one of life’s greatest challenges. It’s important to understand that conquering cancer requires a high level of self- induced healing. This means that YOU will always be the Number One Doctor – the one making the life design choices. Here are the four vital steps of the Cancer Champion’s model. Master them and you will soon be back on the road to health and happiness.

______________________________________________________________

Step One: ‘ THE RIGHT MINDSET ’ The Power of Human Choice

_________________________________________________________________

The dictionary definition of RESOLVE

‘’You’ve got cancer’’

These daunting words lead to a choice on how to handle one of life’s greatest challenges. To conquer cancer one must first and foremost adopt the right mindset – and develop the right resolve.

‘’by resolve we mean to decide firmly or formally on a course of action; to determine and decide in purpose; to free from doubt; to make ready in mind” The vast majority of cancer patients choose to ‘’fight cancer” head on, but this approach often proves counterproductive and it is definitely not the chosen approach of Cancer Champions. It’s s not what we mean by resolve. Cancer Champions choose not to fight cancer. Cancer Champions choose to conquer cancer. And there is a fundamental difference in approach.

20

“ Victor or Victim” Fighting means adopting the mindset of a victim. Fighting means that one will always be coming from a position of weakness. Conquering means adopting the mindset of victor. Conquering means that one will always be coming from a position of strength. To conquer one must acquire the right mindset – the right knowledge – the right support – and the right game plan. ‘’I came, I saw. I conquered”

– Julius Caesar From all the Cancer Champion case studies we have researched, one thing becomes pertinently clear – fighting cancer does not work. Fighting cancer fosters a mindset of a victim. Fighting cancer diminishes resolve .Fighting cancer simply wears one down in the long term. Rather choose the way of cancer champions – those who have conquered cancer. Adopt the mindset of a victor. Destroy all thoughts of victimhood. This will become clearer and easier for you to do once you have completed steps two, three and four of the Cancer Champion’s model. You have to commit 100%.

“One’s best made plans for recovery will prove meaningless without the right mindset “

“Never confuse the most important part of you – your subconscious mind. You cannot have thoughts of victory and defeat in your mind at the same time. The subconscious mind has the power to send sabotaging messages to your body. All it takes is one kernel of doubt – so commit 100 % if you want to win.”

– David Becker

__________________________________________________________________

Step Two: ‘THE RIGHT KNOWLEDGE ‘ The Power of Human Awareness

___________________________________________________________________

Cancer presents choice and cancer patients approach cancer in many different chosen ways. From denial , to just giving up, to fighting cancer with everything they have , to relying solely on symptomatic treatment , to saying that they will leave it in God’s hands – cancer patients make their own personal choices. But, none of these choices above will provide one with a permanent cure.

21

None will allow you to be cancer free. You have to do more. First and foremost, the right thing to do is to first get the best possible medical advice – to know exactly where one stands. Powerful symptomatic treatments, such a chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can certainly help. They knock out cancer cells, but they do not address the cause of cancer. And the cancer will continue to regenerate, unless one addresses the cause of the cancer. To affect a permanent cure, Cancer Champions therefore do more. Those who do successfully undergo any of the symptomatic treatments – do more. They put themselves through a period of parallel introspection. They adopt a lifestyle approach to conquer cancer. They know that they have to make simultaneous life- design changes. They know that the cancer is compelling them to make these changes. The breakthrough comes when there is a realisation and understanding that cancer triggers from the emotional realm:

Cancer is a Human Emotion Dis-ease. (H.E.D) It’s not triggered from the physical or chemical realms as most people like to believe. Cancer is the human body detecting an ongoing state of emotional imbalance, triggered by LONG TERM RESENTMENT. The Big ‘R ‘has turned toxic in the human mind and body. The cancer message is a strong one. It’s time to take heed. It’s time to cut off the fuel of cancer:

Long Term Resentment It’s sending out a stern message to RESTORE LIFE BALANCE. Armed with this new knowledge that LIFE BALANCE is by far the most powerful anti-cancer drug, the road back to health and happiness opens up wide. Now you know.

Special note: How does one eliminate LONG TERM RESENTMENT? For further help on this subject please see frequently asked questions. Now there are two more important steps to take with the Cancer Champion’s model.

22

_________________________________________________________________

Step Three: ‘The RIGHT SUPPORT’ The Power of Human Collective

_____________________________________________________________________

‘’Stood alone on a mountain top, starin’ out at the Great Divide .I could go east, I could go west, it was all up to me to decide“

– Bob Seger

Cancer can be a very lonely place. It shouldn’t be. That’s because the power of the human collective should never be under - estimated. All the great champions of life build inner circles of trust. These are people they can count on when times are good, and when times are not so good. While I have pointed out that you will always be the #1 Doctor, it’s equally as important to ensure that you get:

The Right Support Stay far away from all the nay- sayers. Stay away from any negative prognosis. Stay away from those who believe cancer is the enemy. Stay away from others stuck in victim mode. And most importantly stay away from those who continue to push the cancer statistics to argue their business case. You are not a statistic. You’re a unique human being. Stay close to those who are willing to help and support you on your mission to conquer cancer. Lance Armstrong knew this from the power of the peloton in cycling. Scientists have proven that within the peloton – a cyclist can do 40% more. With the right people supporting and surrounding you, you too can do 40% more – and bounce back faster to health. Choose your support team wisely, knowing that you will always be the #1 doctor. And be sure to mix it all up with the potent champion’s cocktail known as F.C.B:

Faith, Confidence and Belief

Importantly, you will need to keep it front of mind that breast cancer patients get it ‘’humanly wrong’’ when they fail to support themselves. Their personality traits lead them to neglect themselves and their own interests in life. They keep giving and giving, with an inability to say NO to those who continue to drain their emotional energy levels. It’s now vital to approach the challenge with equal measures of self honesty and self love.

‘’A friend had said to me at the time, you need to be a little bit selfish. It’s not in my nature to be selfish, but now is the time to let people take care of you.’’

–Kylie Minogue: Cancer Champion

23

You have to choose very carefully – to avoid those who continually drain you – and to avoid at all costs those who provide the wrong support.

______________________________

A Special note _______________________________

In our healing, it is important to recognize, understand and respond to any underlying message of dis-ease .We need to find answers to why this, why now, why me and why the disruption of a life of ease? But, it must never be about judging oneself, or making oneself wrong or bad. The aim of self-induced healing is self- honesty and self -love in equal measure. It’s not self- criticism and judgment that are needed, but more self- love and inspiration to power our lives– and that demands the right support – the right people in your inner circle of support.

_________________________________________________________________

Step Four: ‘THE RIGHT GAME PLAN ‘ The Power of Human Focus

__________________________________________________________________

“Without cancer, I never would have won a single Tour de France. Cancer taught me a plan for more purposeful living and that in turn taught me how to train and to win more purposefully. It taught me that pain has a reason and that sometimes the experience of losing things – whether health or a car or an old sense of self, has its own value in the scheme of life.”

– Lance Armstrong

Cancer is sending out a message that one’s current Game Plan for life – is not working that well. It’s is not made of “the right stuff”. Lifestyle change is required. Cancer Champions are those that make these required changes. They remove all the wrong stuff from their lives. They refine, re-imagine and re-design a new higher level game plan for their life and health.

This requires an honest and open look at the three keys components of a high level Game Plan, namely purpose, priorities and performance Goals. These are the critical 3 P’s in anyone’s high level game plan. Aligning one’s priorities in clear hierarchical order is probably the single most important thing anyone can do in their life, as it automatically helps one to make clear decisions and avoid the pitfalls of holding onto negative toxic emotions , such as resentment. Here’s a quick guide as to how your priorities should be stacking up in hierarchical order. (Modelled from those who do live healthy and happy lives) Priority # One: Invest in Yourself. Priority # Two: Invest in your Purpose in Life Priority # Three: Invest in your Family and Friends Priority # Four: Invest in your Health and Wealth Priority # Five: Invest in your desired Lifestyle

24

For someone who is currently facing up to breast cancer, their hierarchical order of priorities will look very different from the order given above. At Priority #1 would be FAMILY and FRIENDS – or someone else – or sometimes a CHOSEN CAUSE. Breast cancer patients do not place themselves at the top of their own priority list, and this creates fertile ground for the establishment of a state of imbalance. They either unwittingly or habitually place others first and foremost in their lives – hereby running their own finite energy tanks dry. This often results in high levels of subconsciously driven resentment. It’s important to focus first and foremost on oneself. Build yourself strong first, so that you create a solid base from which you can help others. There is nothing wrong with helping others, but it must not be done at your at one’s own expense. That’s what creates imbalance. Consider the following wisdom from Bob Bulford :

‘’The Great Champions of life recognize that self -interest is central to one’s human make up, but count the greatest gain as the goodwill of fellow humankind’ And British actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn: ‘’You have two hands. One for helping yourself.One for helping others” Put another way, we all have an all important innate responsibility to nourish and nurture our own needs first and foremost – thereafter we can look after others in the best possible way. While one can never change one’s personality, the key is to get LIFE BALANCE EQUATION right. Ensure equal give and take. Stop the unabated giving. Stop the emotional energy drain. It’s a subtle, yet fundamental principle of life and health, which is vital to comprehend if your plan is to bounce back to health and happiness. Breast Cancer patients need to PUSH THE STOP BUTTON. Say NO more often. It’s your life. Own it. Live it.

Key Insights of this chapter: Each step is of Cancer Champion’s model is of equal importance. Mastering all four will soon have you back on the road to health and happiness.

Special note to readers: For further insights, innovation and inspiration - please visit www.cancerchampions.co.For further help with Step Four, on how to create a new high level Game Plan, please visit www.thegameplan.co.za

25

hapter Four Chapter Six

Re-boot your Life.

“Life is not about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself”

– George Bernard Shaw

Re-boot your Life

Change your life

Chapter Five

26

Change your Life.

Cancer loves labels. And it has its very own dictionary if you consider the following cancer words:

‘’Survivor , metastasize , remission , stage four, malignant , mammogram , lymphoma, leukemia, tumor, carcinogenic, denial, melanoma, oncology, prognosis , benign, Hodgkin’s, biopsy , bilateral , sarcoma, pre- cancerous , relapse , fight ,terminal and on and on and on’’

In this book, I have steered well clear of most of these cancer words, cancer labels and cancer statistics. The harsh reality is that they all foster a victim mentality. The good news however is that these very labels can be ‘’spin-doctored’’ to ignite the resolve within you to conquer cancer. They themselves can create the burning desire within to lose the label that others have given to you. We all have choices. A choice on how we choose to see cancer:

Cancer can be one’s enemy (the destructor). Or cancer can be one’s friend (the messenger) It’s vital to take on the mindset of a victor when it comes to these cancer words. Destroy all thoughts of being the victim. For instance , you can choose to listen to people who say that cancer is a terminal dis-ease , or one can choose to view the word ‘terminal’ in a whole new light - as in one of Heathrow’s five terminals . You can view cancer as an opportunity to a start a whole new journey through life. An opportunity to do life better. This is the fundamental message of cancer :

Cancer provides you with an opportunity to re-boot your life .

Please do not pay too much attention to all the cancer statistics that get bandied about. A story of inspiration: Racing pundits will tell you that the statistics prove that no horse is likely to win the Durban July from the extreme outside barrier draw. But drawn number twenty on the extreme outside, horse “Pomodoro” achieved the feat in 2012 and horse “The Conglomerate” did it again in 2016.

Be like Pomodoro. Be like The Conglomerate.

27

Wisdom tells us that our greatest challenges are often our greatest opportunities. I hope that in this book you have found the Insight, Innovation and Inspiration – to bounce back to live a balanced healthy and happy life. It’s time for your new balanced life. Don’t delay. Start today.

28

“You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him find it for himself“

– Galileo Galilee

Asked

Questions

Chapter Six

Frequently

29

Frequently asked questions

One of the main objectives of this book has been to dispel many of the myths surrounding breast cancer. I trust that you now feel more confident and have found a new way to view cancer. And that you are now ready to conquer cancer. You are empowered and equipped with the right knowledge to begin your journey of self-induced healing. Your doctors are there to support you with symptomatic treatments, but you will have to do the hard yards of self introspection and take action yourself. You are the No.1 doctor. Please make sure you have the right support around you. You deserve that. Below are a few of the tougher questions which I get asked by breast cancer patients. I provide short answers which I trust will help bolster your resolve – your knowledge – your awareness –and put the power back in your hands to conquer one of life’s greatest challenges.

_________________________________________________

Did I bring this on myself? _________________________________________________

A tough one to answer, where the answer is yes and no. Obviously, no one ever wills oneself to be sick. We all want to live lives of ease, not lives of dis-ease. But , as emotional human beings, we often unwittingly and habitually create ripe platforms for the onset of a state of dis-ease. That’s life. We are only human. We can do this physically, chemically or emotionally – as explained in Chapter Two. By far the least understood realm is the emotional realm life and health. If and when we do get it humanly wrong, we need to understand that self -induced healing is the most effective road back to health and happiness. This demands equal measures of self-honesty and self-love.

30

It’s important that we recognize, understand and respond to any underlying message of dis-ease, and ask the tough questions:

Why this, why now, why me and why the disruption of a life of ease?

In doing this, it’s critical that one doesn’t begin to self judge or make oneself wrong or bad, as we are only human beings travelling a path through life. It’s certainly not self-criticism and judgment that are needed, but rather more self-honesty and self-love to power our lives back to health and happiness. Ultimately, when it comes to breast cancer – YOU are the No.1 doctor.

_____________________________________________

How important is nutrition in healing breast cancer? _____________________________________________

Nutrition is vital for anyone’s overall vitality, but it presents a Catch 22 scenario with cancer. Please do not fall into the media driven cancer trap that so many foodstuffs are carcinogenic. Carcinogenic commonly means:

‘’any substance which may cause cancer’’ That says it all. It may or it may not cause cancer. Simply put, this means that there is no proof of ‘’this or that’’ of any food stuff actually causing cancer. And besides, the inbuilt intelligence of the human body is evident when one considers the multiple and direct ways it has of sending us a message when we create any form of imbalance in the chemical food realm. For example, indigestion, bloating, hangover, diarrhoea, allergic reaction, acidosis, right through to gout. Hence the body reacts in very decisive way to toxic food substances taken in through the mouth. It lets us know. However, and as explained, cancer is not one of the messages triggered from what one puts into one’s mouth. It’s best to see nutrition as a vital support role in conquering cancer. That’s because the human body operates optimally when it is in balance in all three of the energy fields of life and health, namely physical, chemical and emotional. Yes, eating healthily will certainly help to accelerate your road back to vitality and health. But, don’t create any unnecessary stress by falling into the media trap that every ‘’second food on the table ’’ causes or fuels cancer. That’s just people with vested business interests talking and promoting their own business.

31

Cancer patients often deprive themselves of what they want in life. Don’t punish yourself further by saying you cannot eat this or that. Maintain a balanced diet. Eat and drink healthily to generate healthy new cells. Take supplements. But , you will have to do more to conquer cancer, as explained in this book.

_________________________________________________

Is Breast Cancer hereditary? _________________________________________________

Is Angelina Jolie right? The answer is NO. But , let’s first acknowledge Angelina Jolie for the outstanding inspirational work she does to promote so many causes. She’s a great humanitarian, and with the history of cancer in her family, one can try to understand where her thinking lies. But , when she takes a lead on promoting preventative surgery to reduce the chances of breast and cervical cancer , she is sending out the wrong message to the world. Let’s explore and explain. Many years back, most family doctors would simply opt to remove tonsils when they became infected. Modern thinking is thankfully changing, and doctors are realising the value of every human body part and the role the human body part plays in maintaining optimal balance in life. Why just cut and remove – especially if it is preventative surgery? In Angelina Jolie’s case, she has opted to have what she terms preventative surgery.

Prophylactic double mastectomy to decrease the risk of breast cancer in future –as she believes she has the same ‘faulty’ BRCA 1 gene that her mother had, and it is assumed to predispose one to cancer.

There is one thing wrong with this line of thinking. Far too many assumptions , and which faulty genes are we talking about? Statistics show that there is sometimes a family link with cancer patients, but this is far more likely to be due to parental conditioning patterns – a way of living – not faulty genetics. Let’s take a case in point. If a mother and father are obese, it often follows that their kids are obese. They are conditioned to eat too much from a very early age. The obesity is due to parental conditioning – to think, to perceive, to behave, to believe and to act like their parents. It’s what they know and do best.

32

If parents have battled cancer, their thinking and way of life in creating imbalances, are often conditioned and ingrained in their children from a very early age. A very high probability exists that these thinking patterns are passed on. Hence they are inherited by the children through behavioural conditioning patterns. This is the high risk that Angelina Jolie has to face up to. If one’s parents harbour negative thinking patterns and long-term resentments, often the children will unwittingly and habitually do likewise. One can say with a very high probability that Angelina’s Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who died of cancer, failed to create life balance, and that she harboured long-term resentments. Living a balanced and fulfilled life – and never holding on to toxic resentment – will mean there will be no need for preventative surgery Key insight : People in the same family get cancer because they share behaviors that raise their risk. Not because they share genes.

_________________________________________________

Should I do chemotherapy? _________________________________________________

Chemotherapy is a powerful cancer drug that works symptomatically. And there is certainly a time and a place for symptomatic treatment. But, one must remain acutely aware that one has to do more than just treat cancer symptomatically. It’s important to remember that you will always be the No.1doctor. Yes, chemotherapy can certainly assist you, but only if a parallel life change programme is undertaken. If you explore the cancer champions who have successfully undergone chemotherapy, and gone on to live ‘cancer free’ fulfilled lives – you will see that they all did something in parallel. They all went through a process of self- introspection and took action to:

Restore Life Balance. Therefore LIFE BALANCE is by far the most potent anti –cancer drug. And it comes free of charge to all of us.

33

____________________________________________________

How does one eliminate LONG TERM RESENTMENT?

_____________________________________________________

“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies” - Nelson Mandela

Resentment is one of the BIG FIVE negative human emotions. They are hate, guilt, criticism, self -pity and resentment. The Big “R” is an ever powerful and messy emotion to handle. And eventually it will turn toxic.

Resentment is bitter indignation in belief that one has been treated unfairly.

In this booklet we have pointed out the importance of

SELF-HONESTY and SELF-LOVE And here is some more good news. There exist five positive human emotions which are far more powerful that the BIG FIVE negative emotions identified above . And they act as a powerful anti-dote to resentment. They are the great healers of the world. The higher energy vibrations of these positive human emotions will always override the lower energy vibrations of negative human emotions. Healer #1: UNCONDITIONAL LOVE Healer #2: GRATITUDE. ‘’Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, and confusion into clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.’’

–Melody Beattie Healer #3: FORGIVENESS. Healer #4: ACCEPTANCE. Healer #5: JOY. By choosing to focus one’s life on these positive emotions which create ease – you will avoid the pitfalls of the negative ones which create dis-ease.

____________________________________________________

How important is a positive attitude? _____________________________________________________

34

‘’You must stay positive ’’

This is often the well meaning advice that cancer patients get from their friends. But, in reality it’s never easy to stay positive when one regularly has to undergo symptomatic treatments such as chemotherapy – which leave one constantly exhausted and drained. What does staying positive really mean? Through the book I have pointed out that the only way one can realistically maintain a positive attitude– is to create a high level game plan to conquer cancer. This means making the necessary lifestyle changes required But, there is more to this. And it is a fundamental understanding if one is to conquer cancer

‘’ One’s strategies and tactics (personally chosen treatments) will prove meaningless unless one has the right mindset. Why is this? Resentment is a human emotion closely tied to a victim mindset– a sub conscious belief that one has been treated unfairly.

‘’The world is against me ’’ If one holds onto a victim mindset – one unwittingly – and significantly diminishes one’s chance to bounce back to health and happiness. It’s a human choice, as the human subconscious mind can only entertain one thought at a time – it can either be in a victor or a victim mindset .There is no middle road. ‘’To conquer cancer one must adopt “THE MINDSET OF A VICTOR’’ This is what people really mean when they say ‘’stay positive’’. Staying in a victim mode is the surefire way of blocking off your road to recovery.

____________________________________________________

What should my next step be? _____________________________________________________

‘’You’ve got breast cancer’’

35

These daunting words can invoke fear, helplessness, uncertainty and often a sensation of little hope. But, there is always a way back to health and happiness.

Step One: Get the best medical advice possible so that you know where you stand.

Step Two: Decide on your chosen route of treatment. You are your own No. 1 doctor.

Step Three: Take action. Make the necessary lifestyle changes to begin the healing process

Conclusion

Now you know.

______________________________________________

Wishing you health and happiness

Thank you for taking time out to read this book.

If you can share this book with as many people as possible, you too can help make this a healthier and happier planet.

If you require further help and support to conquer cancer,

please do visit our cancer resource site at www.cancerchampions.co

I can be personally contacted for help at

robopie@thegameplan.co.za

All relevant feedback is greatly appreciated.

Please do share your story with us.

It can help others. It can help save more lives.

Cancer Champions

“Changing the way of the world. One life at a time.”

‘

36

Number Seven