Good question. First read a litle more about the cancer that took AVeline's life:
http://www.oncologychannel.com/cervicalcancer/
Then remember that there are numerous other factors that come into play when cancer develops. These can be inherited factors, environmental, lifestyle, age, diet, exposure to cigarette smoke and other carcinogens, stress/trauma, sexual transmission, etc.
Annual pap-smear testing beginning at age 18 helps detect early stages of cervical cancer and early treatment increases chances of mortality. All people and all animal species deveolp various types of cancer -- mainly due to environmental carcinogens, but other factors need to be looked at was well.
Macrobiotics are not fully immune to certain cancers and the cumulative effects of carcinogen exposure PRIOR to becomming
macrobiotic need also be looked at.
It is important also at this time to show respect for any and all people who die, regardless of their lifestyle, beliefs or practices,
and to console the families of those departed. We do not have all the facts, and as I stated when we first learned of Aveline's cancer that it was up to Kushi's to discuss or defend their stance and views on this case as they were closest to her and knwe more of her history than us armchair critics and know it alls (of which I am guilty of playing as well). My feeling right now, however, is to wait for the Kushi response even if this takes some time in coming, as I feel it would be a good lesson for us all.
Please do not buy the myth that macrobiotics can heal all diseases. AS a control factor the diet is super and can modified to meet the demands of most deficences. Our technological age is rife with unseen toxins and social expectations that go against our natural calling. No matter how great our knowledge of yin/yang application and cooking is we have also to live with the reality that human tissue is sensitive and that it can be easily destroyed by cancerous cells, by drugs, alcohol, chemicals, bacteria, viruses, etc. Let us all be humbled by this thought and
learn to embrace the positive input that scientific medicine has
contributed to a world hardened by our own abusive acts upon nature.
I hope this answers your question in part.
In peace, Roy