Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre, who is also a cancer survivor, has been known to influence people with her story of resilience. Recently, the actress took to X and shared that her naturopath introduced her to autophagy, an alternative healthy therapy, which helped her battle cancer. The said post faced criticism from medical professionals, following which Sonali Bendre shared a statement where she clarified that though she isn’t a doctor, but ‘not a quack either.’ She mentioned that everything that she said in her post about autophagy being a helpful method for cancer came from her personal experience.
Sonal Bendre addresses the backlash over her autophagy post
On Monday evening, Sonali posted a note on her Instagram story and addressing the entire controversy. She wrote, “I have never claimed to be a doctor, but I am 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.”Highlighting how her take on autophagy was purely based on her personal experience, Sonali added, “Everything I have ever spoken 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.”
She further advocated that there should be open discussion and respect towards different perspectives. “What truly matters is open, respectful 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 a lived experience,” she mentioned.
What did Sonali Bendre exactly say about autophagy?
The debate began when Sonali, on November 21 shared, “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.”Reacting to the same, Hepatologist Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known as The Liver Doc, said Sonali underwent modern medical treatment. He further warned that “Naturopathy is a quackery.”
Sonali Bendre was diagnosed with cancer in 2018
As mentioned in her post, Sonali was diagnosed with stage four metastatic cancer in 2018. She went to New York for her treatment and was declared cancer-free in 2021. After defeating cancer, she tried to spread awareness about the ailment through different platforms.
