‘Not A Quack’: Sonali Bendre Responds To Backlash Over Her Statement On Autophagy For Cancer Recovery

Bollywood actress and cancer survivor Sonali Bendre recently made a social media post, claiming naturopathy and ‘autophagy’ helped her in recovering from the deadly disease. After the post was made, several medical proffessionals criticsed her statement. Hepatologist Cyriac Abby Philips, also known as The Liver Doc, slammed her for promoting ‘quackery’. After facing heavy backlash, Sonali Bendre issued a statement and stated that she never claimed to be a doctor. She refused to be called as ‘quack’.

In a statement shared by Sonali Bendre on X, “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.”

She continued, “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.”

“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 added.

Earlier, Sonali Bendre shared a post on social media in which she wrote, “Back in 2018, when I was diagnosed with cancer, my naturopath introduced me to a study called Autophagy. It played a huge role in my recovery. So I read, learned, experimented… and slowly built it into my routine. And I’ve continued to follow it ever since.”

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Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, aka The Liver Doc, wrote on X, “Dear Ms. Bendre… I expected better from you." He also added that celebrity cancer survivors are important resource for cancer patients when it comes to science-based therapeutic journeys. The doctor further mentioned, “You are not helping here, by promoting quackery. In 2018, you were diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic endometrial cancer that had spread to other parts of the body."

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He added, "You moved to New York for an intense cancer treatment regimen, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. In 2019, you shared that you had achieved remission, and were officially cancer-free and returned to India. I repeat, your cancer went into remission after chemotherapy, radiation and surgery at an advanced cancer treatment hospital. Not because of Naturopathy. Not because of autophagy. Because you have the option (and privilege) to opt for the best treatments from scientific practice to help you.”