Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 25: Actor Sonali Bendre has defended her previous posts about naturopathy and autophagy contributing to her cancer recovery, after facing criticism from medical professionals who accused her of promoting “quackery.”
Sonali, who was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic cancer in 2018 and declared cancer-free in 2021, clarified that she is not a doctor but was sharing her personal experience as a patient. She wrote, “I have never claimed to be a doctor, but I’m certainly not a quack either. I am a cancer survivor, someone who has lived through the fear, pain, uncertainty, and rebuilding that the disease brings.”
Speaking about naturopathy and autophagy, she said, “Everything I’ve ever spoken about has been my experience and my learning. As I’ve repeatedly said, no two cancers are the same, and no treatment path is identical. One of the many protocols I personally explored, after thorough research and medical guidance, was autophagy. It made a difference for me then, and continues to do so today… for me.”
Addressing doctors who dismissed her views, Sonali emphasised the need for open dialogue: “We don’t all have to agree, but we should avoid dismissing one another simply because we lean toward different approaches. Each person must choose what feels right, safe, and empowering for them. I will always share my journey with honesty and humility, never as a prescription, but as lived experience.”
Autophagy is the body’s natural process of breaking down and recycling old or damaged cells.
Her previous post on Twitter had highlighted her use of autophagy during her cancer recovery, stating, “In 2018, when I was diagnosed with cancer, this study really helped me. My naturopath introduced me to it, I researched it, and this is what I followed – Autophagy for healing. And I continue to follow it till date.”
However, hepatologist Cyriac Abby Philips, known as The Liver Doc on Twitter, criticised Sonali, noting that her remission was achieved through modern medical treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, not naturopathy. In response to her latest post, he added, “Sonali Bendre is not a quack. The Naturopath she is taking advice from is a quack… ‘big claims, zero evidence’ pseudoscientific practices such as Naturopathy should be questioned.”
Despite the criticism, Sonali continues to advocate sharing her personal journey as a cancer survivor, emphasising individual choice and informed decision-making in health.