Discover key insights from the Annie Appleseed Project Conference 2025, where top experts in integrative oncology shared strategies for whole-person cancer care. Learn about herbal medicine, gut health, cancer treatment approaches, and more in Part 1 of my event recap as a breast cancer thriver and cancer coach. Below, I’ll share what we heard from Dr. Jenn Simmons, Dr. Monisha Bhanote, and Dr. Petra Sovcov as a few of the keynote sessions.
A Cancer Wellness Revolution – Annie Appleseed Project Conference 2025
The Annie Appleseed Project Conference 2025 just wrapped up, leaving attendees like me energized, informed, and deeply inspired! This annual gathering brings together cancer thrivers, integrative oncology experts, researchers, medical professionals, and exhibitors to explore a truly complimentary approach to cancer care. From groundbreaking research presentations by doctors and leaders to discussions on evidence-based complementary therapies, nutrition, and mind-body healing, the event showcased the power of blending conventional and integrative medicine. The sense of community was real, reminding everyone that healing isn’t just about treatment — it’s about empowerment, connection, and living with purpose.
The Vision Behind the Annie Appleseed Project
The Annie Appleseed Project was founded by Ann Fonfa, a woman who turned her personal cancer journey into a powerful movement for change. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993, Ann faced a difficult reality— although she had surgical procedures, her body was extremely sensitive to chemicals, so she opted not to do chemotherapy, nor radiation. But she wanted to take more action to support her body through her surgical recovery and to keep her body more inhospitable to growing cancer more rapidly.
This led her to explore complementary and integrative therapies, seeking out evidence-based natural approaches to support her healing. However, she quickly realized that information on these therapies was not only scarce but also often dismissed by the medical establishment who weren’t well informed themselves on the various options that went beyond their conventional practices.
Determined to bridge this gap, Ann created the Annie Appleseed Project, a nonprofit 501c3, as a platform to provide education, advocacy, and access to integrative cancer care information. As she mentioned in a 2018 interview with Chris Wark, “What I found is, every step of the way I found things that kept me well enough to go to the next step.” What began as a small initiative to help other people have info about these other therapies, grew into an internationally recognized organization, bringing together researchers, medical doctors, holistic practitioners, herbalists, advocates, cancer coaches, and cancer thrivers to explore the most effective ways to integrate conventional and natural therapies. Ann’s mission was simple but profound: to empower people with knowledge so they could make informed decisions about their own healing paths.
The Legacy Lives On
Since Ann’s passing in early 2024, the Project is carried on by three amazing people, Julia Chiappetta as President, Joanna Gatto as Co-President, John Malanca as Vice President. They spend countless hours and resources dedicated to serving our cancer community helping us to thrive beyond a cancer diagnosis.
This 2025 conference featured an impressive lineup of experts who presented on a range of topics, from herbal medicine and gut health to rethinking cancer imaging and treatment approaches. Hot topics like “should patients get biopsies” and “should patients have surgery” were discussed on the microphone with various doctors (you might be surprised what the consensus of practitioners there said). And of course, repurposed medications like Ivermectin were mentioned around the halls and from the stage.
There was so much valuable information shared that I’m breaking it into multiple parts! Below is Part 1, highlighting some of the key sessions from this year’s event. These summaries are from my notes as an in-person attendee and presented in no particular order.
Gut Health as the Foundation for Healing – Dr. Monisha Bhanote
Dr. Monisha Bhanote, a physician board-certified in five specialties, captivated the audience with her talk on the gut microbiome’s crucial role in immune function, inflammation, and disease prevention. With 70% of the immune system residing in the gut, she emphasized that supporting digestive health is foundational to overall wellness and cancer recovery.
If you still think gut health is just a fad, it’s time to release that and start taking action on supporting your gut health — especially if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer!
She outlined three key lab markers to get tested regarding gut health—fecal secretory IgA, short-chain fatty acids, and beta-glucuronidase—which provide insight into inflammation, immune balance, and potential cancer risks.
Dr. Bhanote discussed how antibiotics can disrupt gut health for up to a year, underscoring the importance of diet, fiber intake, and probiotics in restoring balance. She also introduced the concept of “cell care” as proactive self-care, urging patients to be informed about their pathology reports and understand their specific diagnoses to know how to better take action in supporting the cellular fundamentals. Her insights provided actionable strategies for improving gut health through nutrition and lifestyle interventions, reinforcing the vital connection between digestion, immunity, and long-term healing.
You can order Dr. Bhanote’s book here to get more specific insights on these topics.
“Cell care is self care.”
– Dr. Bhanote
Rethinking Breast Cancer Screening and Treatment – Dr. Jenn Simmons
Dr. Jenn Simmons delivered a thought-provoking session challenging conventional breast cancer screening and treatment paradigms. She emphasized the concept of bio-individuality, stating that no single treatment works for everyone and that personalized care is essential. Dr. Simmons raised concerns about the unappreciated consequences of mammograms, including over-diagnosis and over-treatment, which she argued contribute to increased mastectomy rates and psychological distress. She presented data from the Cochrane Review and the Canadian Breast Cancer Screening Trial, showing no benefit from routine mammographic screening and calling for its reconsideration.
She also explored the side effects of conventional breast cancer treatments—such as fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, depression, and weight gain—many of which are often overlooked in standard oncology care. Dr. Simmons described the “quiet after the storm,” where patients are left to navigate their lives post-treatment with little guidance. She called for a shift in focus toward minimizing cancer occurrences while ensuring patients have a life worth living after treatment.
Dr. Simmons highlighted the critical role of diet, fasting, sleep, movement, toxin avoidance, and stress management in optimizing health. She also discussed the role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) both before and after cancer, presenting data showing its safety and potential benefits. Her session reinforced the idea that health is a lifelong journey and that individuals must take responsibility for their own well-being through a comprehensive, personalized approach.
“Health is a journey. It’s not a destination, and there is no one that can make you healthy other than you. You are the only one, and health does not happen in a doctor’s office.
-Dr. Jenn Simmons
It doesn’t happen in a hospital, in a medical oncology suite, in a radiology suite.
Health happens at home, with the things that you do every single day. It’s what you do most that matters.
The Role of Herbal Medicine in Cancer Care – Dr. Petra Sovcov
Dr. Petra Sovcov, a clinical herbal therapist with a doctorate in natural medicine, provided a deep dive into how herbal medicine can complement cancer treatment. She emphasized the importance of using whole, living plants and acknowledged indigenous wisdom in traditional medicines. Dr. Sovcov framed cancer as an inflammatory disease, detailing the impact of chronic inflammation caused by infections, stress, and environmental toxins.
If you still think herbalism is just a fad for hippies, it’s time to release that and start seeing it as a serious practice that takes years of education. With the guidance of a trained herbalist, like Dr. Sovcov, using specific herbs for your case is especially helpful if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer!
Through a compelling case study of a 64-year-old woman with multiple myeloma, she illustrated how a personalized protocol—including herbs such as Ganoderma, Astragalus, and Echinacea, combined with lifestyle changes—led to improved health outcomes.
Dr. Sovcov also highlighted the importance of adaptogens in managing stress and trauma and stressed that herbal treatments must be individualized, with ongoing testing and adjustments. Her session reinforced the need for a personalized, root-cause approach to inflammation and cancer care.
“When it comes to inflammation and cancer, inflammation is the body’s response to injury.
-Dr. Petra Sovcov
So we’re looking at cancer in this light as an inflammatory disease and the body’s response to injury.”
A Conference That Continues to Inspire
The 2025 Annie Appleseed Project Conference proved once again why it remains a leading force in integrative cancer care. Attendees left with not just information but actionable tools and a renewed sense of hope. Whether you are a longtime advocate of integrative approaches or just beginning to explore holistic options, this year’s event reinforced that personalized, whole-person care is the future of cancer treatment.
If you missed this year’s event, don’t worry—Annie Appleseed continues to be a hub for innovation in cancer care. Stay tuned to my instagram for updates on next year’s conference—you won’t want to miss it!
And don’t forget to check back soon for Part 2, where we’ll dive into even more expert insights from this enjoyable and cancer community-building event including notes from sessions with Dr. Leigh Erin Connealy, Dr. Nathan Goodyear, Dr. Henning Saupe, Sylvie Beljanski, Jane McLelland, Dr. Tracey Stroup, and more.
“Yesterday’s alternative is today’s therapy,
-Ann Fonfa
so I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss it.”
