One woman’s unconventional battle with cancer could make you rethink your health choices
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Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health routine.
When faced with a life-changing diagnosis, most people follow the advice of their doctors. But one woman’s journey took a different path—one that challenged everything she had believed about health and healing.
Her decision to explore alternative treatments in the midst of her battle sparked questions about the effectiveness of conventional medicine and its limitations.
What she discovered along the way may just shift your perspective on health.
Ula Brown’s lifestyle has always leaned towards the alternative. She never took the contraceptive pill, avoided ‘chemical deodorants,’ and never owned a microwave.
‘I think it stems from my family. My nana and my mum were both quite alternative,’ she explained.
‘Things were treated a lot at home before we would see a doctor.’
For Ula, these beliefs carried on through her own children. ‘My daughter has had a home birth. She had a qualified midwife, but she was quite happy to have a birth without intervention,’ Ula shared.
For her, modern medicine often oversimplified health, relying on ‘band-aid solutions’ to cover up symptoms instead of addressing the root cause.
When Ula was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, her world turned upside down. ‘I had always used alternative health, and I didn’t feel like I wanted to go down the route of just chemotherapy without seeing what alternative medicine could be there for me,’ she recalled.
This was a turning point in her journey.
The diagnosis threatened not only her health but also her entire belief system. ‘It wasn’t just my body under attack—my whole belief system was about to get destroyed,’ she reflected.
Ula, not one to take things lightly, sought out second, third, and even fourth opinions from integrative doctors who took a holistic approach, and consulted a naturopath.
Each told her that chemotherapy was her best chance of survival and advised her to act fast.
‘For about six months, she did decide that she would treat it just alternatively — with yoga and through natural medicines,’ Ula recalled, referring to a friend she had lost to breast cancer 15 years ago.
‘But then it did progress, unfortunately, and it metastasised to her brain.’
That loss weighed heavily on Ula’s decision, making her realise, ‘I have to give this everything that I can give.’
In preparation for chemotherapy, she let go of her hair. And when doubts crept in, it was her naturopath who helped her navigate the emotional rollercoaster.
‘She was just assuring me that what I was doing was the right thing to be doing,’ Ula said.
But Ula also began a treatment protocol she chose to keep hidden from her doctors.
‘I just didn’t feel that I was strong enough to put up a fight with them,’ she confessed.
According to Cancer Council, patients are urged to consult their GP and medical team before trying any new therapies.
Ula spent a significant amount on alternative treatments, estimating around $10,000. This included supplements, $400 vitamin C infusions, and a $5,000 blood test aimed at determining the best cancer treatments.
Cancer Council noted that such blood tests are still being studied for their accuracy, and they’re not recommended without medical consultation.
Despite the cost, Ula is adamant that the alternative therapies helped her bounce back. ‘I definitely believe that I’ve bounced back because of the additional therapies,’ she said.
But she also warned, ‘But be extremely cautious of people who are making claims that they can cure cancer.’
Though there’s no concrete data on how many Australians use complementary treatments, the industry’s peak body, Complementary Medicines Australia, suggests the number could be as high as 75 per cent.
This indicates that a significant portion of Australian households may be turning to alternative options for health and wellness.
The growth of complementary medicine is linked to an aging population, rising chronic conditions, and a greater focus on disease prevention.
Complementary therapies work alongside conventional treatments, while alternative medicine is used as a substitute for them.
With so many options available, what’s your take on using these treatments alongside or in place of conventional medicine? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
When faced with a life-changing diagnosis, most people follow the advice of their doctors. But one woman’s journey took a different path—one that challenged everything she had believed about health and healing.
Her decision to explore alternative treatments in the midst of her battle sparked questions about the effectiveness of conventional medicine and its limitations.
What she discovered along the way may just shift your perspective on health.
Ula Brown’s lifestyle has always leaned towards the alternative. She never took the contraceptive pill, avoided ‘chemical deodorants,’ and never owned a microwave.
‘I think it stems from my family. My nana and my mum were both quite alternative,’ she explained.
‘Things were treated a lot at home before we would see a doctor.’
For Ula, these beliefs carried on through her own children. ‘My daughter has had a home birth. She had a qualified midwife, but she was quite happy to have a birth without intervention,’ Ula shared.
For her, modern medicine often oversimplified health, relying on ‘band-aid solutions’ to cover up symptoms instead of addressing the root cause.
When Ula was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, her world turned upside down. ‘I had always used alternative health, and I didn’t feel like I wanted to go down the route of just chemotherapy without seeing what alternative medicine could be there for me,’ she recalled.
This was a turning point in her journey.
The diagnosis threatened not only her health but also her entire belief system. ‘It wasn’t just my body under attack—my whole belief system was about to get destroyed,’ she reflected.
Ula, not one to take things lightly, sought out second, third, and even fourth opinions from integrative doctors who took a holistic approach, and consulted a naturopath.
Each told her that chemotherapy was her best chance of survival and advised her to act fast.
‘For about six months, she did decide that she would treat it just alternatively — with yoga and through natural medicines,’ Ula recalled, referring to a friend she had lost to breast cancer 15 years ago.
‘But then it did progress, unfortunately, and it metastasised to her brain.’
That loss weighed heavily on Ula’s decision, making her realise, ‘I have to give this everything that I can give.’
In preparation for chemotherapy, she let go of her hair. And when doubts crept in, it was her naturopath who helped her navigate the emotional rollercoaster.
‘She was just assuring me that what I was doing was the right thing to be doing,’ Ula said.
But Ula also began a treatment protocol she chose to keep hidden from her doctors.
‘I just didn’t feel that I was strong enough to put up a fight with them,’ she confessed.
According to Cancer Council, patients are urged to consult their GP and medical team before trying any new therapies.
Ula spent a significant amount on alternative treatments, estimating around $10,000. This included supplements, $400 vitamin C infusions, and a $5,000 blood test aimed at determining the best cancer treatments.
Cancer Council noted that such blood tests are still being studied for their accuracy, and they’re not recommended without medical consultation.
Despite the cost, Ula is adamant that the alternative therapies helped her bounce back. ‘I definitely believe that I’ve bounced back because of the additional therapies,’ she said.
But she also warned, ‘But be extremely cautious of people who are making claims that they can cure cancer.’
Though there’s no concrete data on how many Australians use complementary treatments, the industry’s peak body, Complementary Medicines Australia, suggests the number could be as high as 75 per cent.
This indicates that a significant portion of Australian households may be turning to alternative options for health and wellness.
The growth of complementary medicine is linked to an aging population, rising chronic conditions, and a greater focus on disease prevention.
Complementary therapies work alongside conventional treatments, while alternative medicine is used as a substitute for them.
With so many options available, what’s your take on using these treatments alongside or in place of conventional medicine? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
