Olivia Newton-John passed away this week following her battle with cancer, but leaves behind a legacy of advocacy for plant-based treatments.
Grease star Dame Olivia Newton-John sadly passed away this week following a thirty year battle with cancer.
The acclaimed actor first received a diagnosis for breast cancer in 1993 – but went into remission after treatments including a mastectomy and chemotherapy. She also tried alternative treatments such as meditation and acupuncture.
However, by 2017, Olivia’s cancer had returned and developed to stage four, meaning it had spread to other parts of her body.
Was Olivia Newton-John vegan?
Last year, the star opened up about how diet, and her growing interest in alternative medicine.
In an interview with Closer Weekly, she said: “There are a lot of herbs I take. And over the last 10 years, I’ve used cannabis. My husband makes me tinctures that help me immensely with pain, inflammation, sleep and anxiety.
“I’d also been eating vegan because my daughter was visiting me and she’s a vegan. I feel very good.”
As a result of her plant-based diet, she was inspired to launch the ONJ Foundation Fund to support plant-based medication research to give cancer patients more treatment options.
The aim of the independent charity is to sponsor “global research into plant medicine for cancer” to harness the power of plants for treating cancer.
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Rising cancer cases
Earlier this year, the European Parliament backed a resolution to tackle rising cancer cases.
Plans for the ‘Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer’ campaign include promoting a healthy plant-based diet and reducing overconsumption of meat and ultra-processed foods.
Dr Joanna Swabe from Humane Society International said: “There is mounting scientific evidence that the consumption of meat and dairy products can have a detrimental impact on human health.
“The World Health Organisation warns that processed meats are carcinogenic, that red meat probably increases your risk of bowel cancer and that eating the equivalent of less than two slices of bacon a day increases your chance of colorectal cancer by 18%.”
Find more information about surviving and preventing cancer with a plant-based diet.
Featured image photo by Scott Barbour via Getty Images.
