Metabolic Oncology
Metabolic Oncology is an emerging medical field that considers both the genetic and metabolic aspects of cancer. It focuses on the unique ways that cancer cells reprogram their energy use to fuel rapid growth and how metabolic dysfunction promotes the development and spread of cancer. This leads to individualized, integrative strategies that target these metabolic changes alongside traditional cancer screening and treatment to improve outcomes.
The Four Pillars
These strategies involve making favorable changes in “lifestyle factors” including:
These “four pillars” of metabolic health are all related to cancer risk and spread and can be modified to improve cancer-related outcomes. This approach can also be described as “Lifestyle Oncology”, but Metabolic Oncology goes further by incorporating the targeted use of supplements, drugs and hormones, changes in gut health, light and temperature, and novel technologies to improve metabolic health.
Improving the Terrain
These changes alter the microenvironment or “terrain” that cancer cells could develop in to make it unfavorable to cancer growth and spread.
Improving metabolic health leads to favorable changes in other aspects of health including immune function, inflammation and oxidative stress which are related to cancer. Improving metabolic health also decreases the risk of all chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and dementia and improves quality of life and longevity. Following the “playbook” of Metabolic Oncology will improve all aspects of health beyond cancer.
A Complementary Approach
Metabolic Oncology is designed to work with and supplement the benefits of traditional oncology treatment. It is best considered as a “complementary”, “integrative”, or “holistic” approach to cancer management rather than an “alternative” approach to standard treatment.
This allows patients to receive the benefits of standard treatment while also focusing on their overall health and quality of life. Metabolic oncology strategies may reduce the side effects and toxicity of standard cancer treatments and may increase the effectiveness of these treatments in some cases.
Our programs provide a more comprehensive and in-depth consideration of all aspects of health than is possible in traditional oncology practices. They take oncology care to the next level by providing additional services to help patients with cancer to survive and thrive.
Learn More
For a more detailed discussion of the concept of Metabolic Oncology and the science supporting its benefit, please see the Introduction to Metabolic Oncology in the Knowledge Base section of the website.
Selected references and other educational content can be found in the Evidence Base section of the site.