Stop the habit of eating fast-food if you want to remain healthy and fit.

That’s the message from breast cancer survivor and regular visitor to Fiji from the United States, Rosemary Patterson during a Pinktober Morning Tea at RHUM-BA in Port Denarau, Nadi yesterday.

“This is one thing I have come to learn during my visits to Fiji over the past years,” Ms Patterson said.

“Go back to your cassava and rourou. I fell in love with this food when I came to Fiji a few years ago. Make use of the fresh fruits and vegetables in your backyards.

“This is something I wished we had back at home. God has kissed your nation so make use of it.”

The Los Angeles woman, who is a believer in herbal medicine, said: “Fiji is where I got my healing after undergoing three days of detox at the 3 Angels Missionary College in Rakiraki which is run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“They put me on a strict liquid diet and fed me with fresh vegetables and fruits, this is one of the reasons why I managed to win the battle over breast cancer.”

She advised those with the disease breast cancer to remain firm in their faith and not to fear the killer disease.

“It is during times like this when women start to get depressed and being afraid will always accelerate depression Be with the right people and always be positive,” Ms Patterson said.

“I want to encourage women who are breast cancer survivors that they are warriors because breast cancer is a battle, we have fought that battle and that makes us warriors,” she added.

The mother of one and former chef was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999.

She said it was through divine intervention that enabled her overcome the killer disease.

“For those women diagnosed with breast cancer I want to encourage them to fight.

“This is your battle, we are a by-product of a living God and with his strength we can overcome.

“Winning this battle is a testimony to people because you cannot have a testimony without a test.”

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