Cancer treatment and prevention took on new meaning for Stage 4 cancer survivor Emma Victoria Johnson after a gym injury led to a diagnosis and an oncologist's grim 18-month prognosis for survival. For most, this news might mean surrender. But not for Emma. Instead, she set out from Australia on a determined quest for hope and healing, one that led her to Oasis of Hope in Tijuana, Mexico. Since 1963, this unique cancer treatment hospital has welcomed thousands of patients diagnosed with cancer from more than 60 countries, combining conventional and alternative therapies in an integrative and holistic health approach that most people have never heard of.
New Normal Big Life podcast host Antoinette Berrafato sits down with patient ambassador Emma Victoria Johnson and Dr. Francisco Contreras, MD, surgical oncologist and director of Oasis of Hope Cancer Hospital. Their conversation explores cancer prevention, treatment journeys, and new hope for patients.
The urgency behind Emma's decision echoes a warning for us all from Dr. Francisco Contreras, M.D., the surgical oncologist Johnson credits with saving her life. In addition, this story is a powerful reminder of how prevention can play a huge role in cancer outcomes.
“There is no question that cancer is on the rise and in a very scary way, because more and more younger people are developing cancer with very aggressive cancers that we did not used to see 15 years ago,”
Oncologist Francisco Contreras, M.D.
Dr. Contreras said in an interview on the 'New Normal Big Life' podcast. “Right now, in the hospital, more than half of our patients are 40 years or younger, whereas before it used to be 60 years or older.” It's becoming clear that cancer prevention is relevant at almost any age.
Cancer Treatment Without Borders: The Oasis of Hope Difference
However, Johnson refused to accept her first oncologist's prognosis as her only possible future. Instead, she flew from Australia to Oasis of Hope Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico, where she placed her care in the hands of Dr. Contreras and his international medical team. Her decision to seek treatment abroad was easier for her and her family given the urgency of her case, but Dr. Contreras talks candidly about how this is not the usual for many families, and what you should consider when faced with this decision.
Keeping cancer prevention in mind is important even for those who must seek advanced treatment far from home.
Johnson said it took about seven weeks to receive an evaluation of the lump in Austraila. In January 2025, a mammogram and ultrasound showed cancer that initially appeared to be Stage 1 or Stage 2. By February, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. As these developments show, prevention and timely detection are both critical for your health.
Dr. Contreras received his medical degree in Mexico, trained in surgical oncology in Vienna, completed pathology training at Harvard, and now leads a hospital where more than half of their patients are forty or younger, all seeking compassionate cancer treatment. This highlights how prevention can no longer be viewed as a concern just for older populations.
Oasis of Hope was founded by Dr. Contreras's father with two guiding principles: first, do no harm, and love your patient as you love yourself. These values shape the hospital's holistic and integrative approach, focusing on the whole person, body, mind, and spirit, on their own terms rather than treating individual patients with the same protocol. Unlike the brief, impersonal appointments common in most healthcare systems, Oasis of Hope offers deeply personalized care, where hope itself becomes a fundamental part of the healing process. Dr. Contreras also highlights the hospital's innovative IMPACT therapy, a tailored autologous cell treatment designed to fortify the immune system, which he considers the most powerful weapon against cancer. And with rising rates, cancer prevention now stands as the foundation of lasting wellness.
Cancer Prevention Starts Before Diagnosis
For those determined to avoid ever needing a center like Oasis of Hope, Dr. Contreras shares actionable steps for cancer prevention, drawn from decades of clinical expertise. He emphasizes specific lifestyle choices, including nutrition, physical activity, and prioritizing mental and emotional well-being, that work together to meaningfully reduce cancer risk. In this episode, he specifies how much, how often, and what moves the needle to reduce your risk of cancer. He also clarifies that true prevention is distinct from early detection.
Cancer Treatment and Rising Cancer Rates in Younger Adults
Perhaps the most alarming insight from this episode is the surge in aggressive, rapidly developing malignancies now appearing in younger adults. Dr. Contreras delves into possible causes for this troubling shift, underscoring the increasingly vital role of a resilient immune system. He connects this shift to a broader need for cancer prevention strategies that work for all generations.
A Cancer Survivor Story: Stage 4 to Near-Complete Remission
Emma and Dr. Contreras walk through the day-to-day reality of her cancer treatment at Oasis of Hope, the emotional turning points, what it is like to seek treatment outside your passport country, and the protocols that moved her from a Stage 4 diagnosis to near-complete remission in under a year. Her message for the newly diagnosed will stay with you: embrace hope at every step, and do not wait to get care. In addition, Emma’s story is a testament to how prevention and early action can save lives when it comes to cancer.
Cancer Treatment Options: Hope After a Diagnosis
If you or someone you love is facing a diagnosis, out of options, or simply wants to understand cancer prevention and what integrative cancer care looks like in practice, this episode was made for you. Every healing journey is unique, and hope is always possible, no matter the diagnosis.
New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Follow the show so the next episode finds you automatically. Remember, leaving a star rating and a review helps more people looking for information about prevention of cancer, such as cancer prevention, cancer diagnosis, and treatment options, find these resources.
New to New Normal Big Life? Start with this eight episode playlist.
Share your thoughts in the comments below. I read every single one, and I really believe we can learn so much from each other—including new ideas for prevention of cancer in our communities.