15 Years Can.cer-Free: Japanese Doctor Shares 5 Simple Habits to Keep Can.cer Cells from Returning

Instead of waiting for luck or relying solely on medication, Dr. Takashi saw illness as an opportunity to “reconnect” with his body—leading to a new, healthier, and more sustainable lifestyle.

At age 51, Dr. Takashi Funato—Director of Funato Clinic in Gifu Prefecture, Japan—was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Like millions of other cancer patients, he faced the terrifying possibility of death. But 15 years later, he not only survived but is thriving: healthy, energetic, and full of life. He calls it “the miracle of a correct lifestyle.”

In 2007, during a routine health check-up, Dr. Takashi was unexpectedly diagnosed with kidney cancer. He had no noticeable symptoms and no family history of the disease. The diagnosis shocked him, forcing him to pause his work, undergo surgery, and follow a modern treatment regimen.

What made the difference, however, was the lifestyle transformation he made after surgery. Rather than wait for luck or depend solely on treatment, Dr. Takashi treated his illness as a wake-up call—a chance to "communicate" with his body. From there, he built new, science-based, and long-term habits.

Fifteen years later, he remains cancer-free and has become a source of inspiration for patients in Japan and around the world, thanks to his five “simple – consistent – effective” health principles.

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Principle 1: Radically Change Your Diet – Cut Sugar, Reduce Red Meat, Eat Just Enough

Dr. Takashi candidly admitted that his hectic schedule had led to poor eating habits—instant noodles, fast food, and irregular meals. Over time, this disrupted his metabolism, triggered chronic inflammation, and created an ideal environment for cancer cells to thrive.

After surgery, he completely reevaluated his diet based on these core principles:

1. Minimize sugar, red meat, and processed foods, especially those containing additives and nitrates (like sausages and bacon)—classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as potential carcinogens.

2. Prioritize local and seasonal foods. This approach ensures natural nutrients and helps the body better adapt to the local climate.

3. Eat until 80% full—a well-known rule from Okinawa, home to one of the world’s longest-living populations.

He also adopted intermittent fasting (16:8)—fasting for 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour window—to allow the body time for deep digestion and natural cell repair via autophagy.

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Principle 2: Sleep Early, Sleep Deeply – Let the Immune System Heal at Night

Sleep is not just rest—it’s the prime time for immune system regeneration. According to Dr. Takashi, “From 10 PM to 2 AM is the golden window for cellular regeneration. During this time, lymphocytes—our cancer-fighting warriors—work at their peak.”

His recommendations:

• Go to bed before 10 PM

• Sleep at least 6 hours a night

• Avoid staying up past midnight, when melatonin levels—a hormone with antioxidant and anti-cancer effects—begin to drop

He also removes all electronic devices from the bedroom and keeps the space quiet and completely dark to promote better sleep quality.

Principle 3: Gentle Daily Movement – Your Natural Immune Booster

After surgery, he started with small steps—walking at least 3,000 steps per day, gradually increasing the distance. For him, exercise wasn’t about weight loss, but about:

• Raising core body temperature to activate protective enzymes and immune cells

• Increasing oxygen levels in the blood, which slows cancer cell growth (as they thrive in low-oxygen environments)

• Stabilizing blood sugar, reducing the fuel source for cancer cells

In addition to walking, he recommends simple exercises like squats, arm lifts, and deep abdominal breathing to support overall physical fitness.

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Principle 4: Keep Your Body Warm – Especially Your Abdomen and Feet

One often-overlooked but powerful immunity booster, according to Dr. Takashi, is body temperature.

“Cancer cells prefer cold, acidic environments. Keeping warm improves blood circulation and stimulates the production of heat shock proteins—molecules that repair cells and enhance resistance.”

In winter, he always keeps his abdomen, lower back, and feet warm using thermal clothing, heating pads, or massage. These areas contain many blood vessels and lymph nodes—if left cold, the body becomes more vulnerable to imbalance.

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Principle 5: Smile Every Day—Even Without a Reason

Even as a doctor, he experienced psychological distress after his cancer diagnosis. But instead of falling into despair, he learned to create his own happiness by smiling each morning, practicing deep breathing, and embracing positive thinking.

Laughter helps:

• Lower cortisol, the stress hormone

• Boost endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers

• Activate the immune system for better defense

He often jokes with patients: “If you have no reason to smile today—just smile first, and the reason will follow!”

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Final Thoughts

More than anyone, Dr. Takashi understands that life doesn’t just lie in the doctor’s hands—it lies in how we live each day.

“Cancer is a warning sign. But if we treat it not as the end, but as the beginning of a healthier life, the body can recover stronger than ever.”

After 15 years, he continues to follow his routine: clean eating, early sleep, daily movement, warmth, and smiling. This isn’t a quick cancer cure, but a smart way of living to prevent illness and maintain a robust immune system.