A Science-Led Approach to Integrative Oncology

Cancer touches us all, whether directly or through someone we love. It is a complex
and multifactorial condition, shaped not only by genetic predispositions but also by
mitochondrial function, metabolic health, immune integrity, and psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). As a clinical nutritionist and naturopathic oncologist at The Health Lodge and The Remedy Room, Byron Bay, I have seen firsthand the profound impact cancer has on individuals and their families. Through this lens, the need for a truly comprehensive, integrative approach to care becomes unmistakably clear.
Conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery remain critical pillars of oncology. However, on their own, they often fail to address underlying imbalances or support the body’s long-term resilience. Integrative oncology bridges this gap, combining evidence- based medical treatments with complementary therapies and a focus on the whole person. The result is an approach that not only treats disease but optimises health and enhances recovery.

The Rising Tide: Why Integrative Oncology Matters Now More Than Ever
Globally, cancer is on the brink of surpassing heart disease as the leading cause of death. Rates are rising across all age groups, with a particularly alarming spike in early-onset cancers among younger adults. In Australia, recent data reveal a notable increase in gastrointestinal and oesophageal cancers in those aged 30–39. Despite this trend, younger patients are frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed due to outdated assumptions about age-related cancer risk. Dr. Amanda Forbes, PhD, Clinical Research & Systems Administrator at Mermaid Beach Radiology, emphasises: “If we hope to improve early detection and outcomes, we must challenge the narrative of who is at risk and make screening more accessible and responsive to emerging data.” Early detection is
critical. While conventional imaging and diagnostic tools have improved dramatically, combining them with integrative testing focused on functional and metabolic markers provides a more proactive approach. This shift from reactive treatment to anticipatory care enables earlier identification and terrain-focused support, long before cancer becomes clinically evident.

Looking Beyond Genes: Understanding the Modern Cancer Landscape
Genetics alone do not dictate one’s destiny. While inherited mutations may increase risk, it is the interplay between genes and environmental, lifestyle, and biological influences that shapes long term health. From a naturopathic perspective, recognising and addressing the
physiological insults of modern living is essential to both prevention and treatment.

Lifestyle habits such as a poor diet, inactivity, alcohol use, and smoking exacerbate
systemic inflammation and weaken immunity. Add to this a growing burden of toxins, pollutants, heavy metals, glyphosate and the body’s cellular equilibrium is increasingly compromised. Disruptions to circadian rhythms from artificial light further impair melatonin production and hormonal balance. As Roudy Nassif, CEO of VivaRays, notes:
“In 100 years, people will look back at artificial light the way we now look at smoking, the
hidden root cause of hormonal imbalances, poor sleep, low energy, and chronic stress.”

Psychoneuroimmunology: The Mind-Body Axis in Cancer
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) explores the intricate relationship between emotional health, stress, and immune function. Dr. Olivia Lesslar describes PNI as “The hard science behind the soft science of mind-body medicine,” emphasising the tangible physiological consequences of emotional well-being.
Dr. Xavier Curiel of Hope4Cancer expands on this, stating “Cancer is an intrinsic part of our survival biology, a mechanism built into our physiology that activates only when absolutely necessary.” This perspective reframes cancer as a biological response to unresolved trauma or chronic stress. It also positions emotional healing as an essential component of any integrative cancer strategy.
In support of this view, Dr. Antonio Jimenez (MD, ND), founder of Hope4Cancer Treatment Centers, offers a transformative framework through his ‘Seven Key Principles of
Cancer Therapy TM’. These include non-toxic cancer therapies, immune modulation, nutritional and detoxification support, oxygenation, microbiome rebalancing, and emotional healing. His philosophy underscores the importance of a patient-centred, integrative approach designed to improve quality of life while complementing conventional oncology.

Frontiers of Innovation: Reprogramming Cancer Cells
Recent discoveries are reshaping the oncology landscape. Researchers at the Korea
Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) have developed a "molecular switch" that may reverse cancer cells back to their normal state, potentially transforming cancer treatment from destruction to restoration. If successful, this paradigm shift could reduce recurrence rates and offer more sustainable outcomes. Similarly, cutting-edge screening tools such as the Grail Galleri test are pushing early detection forward. Capable of identifying over 50 cancer types through a single blood draw, it represents a promising step toward multi-cancer screening. Yet access remains limited in Australia.

Bringing Precision Testing to Australia
To meet local demand, integrative testing platforms like Novelna’s proteomics and
NutriPATH’s RGCC Cancer Testing are becoming more prominent. These technologies assess metabolic, immune, and genetic markers offering a holistic view of cancer risk and progression. NutriPATH, in particular, focuses on live cancer cell analysis, exploring how nutrient and metabolic imbalances affect tumour biology. Peter Gotis, Lab Director at NutriPATH, explains: “By addressing nutrient deficiencies and metabolic imbalances, we can better support the body’s natural defences and improve treatment outcomes.”

Imaging and Personalised Risk Assessment
Alongside blood tests, imaging innovations are providing earlier, safer detection. Full-body non-contrast MRI is a radiation-free option now used for routine screening. However, as Dr. Amanda Forbes from Mermaid Beach Radiology (MBR) points out: “Not all full-body MRIs are the same, the sensitivity for detecting early-stage cancer depends on the provider’s technology, the radiologist’s expertise, and the quality of diffusion imaging used.” MBR employs advanced imaging techniques to enhance screening accuracy, particularly in challenging areas such as the neck, thoracic region, and upper abdomen. They have developed proprietary methods to eliminate distortion in full-body diffusion imaging, significantly improving detection confidence especially for cancers of growing concern, such as oesophageal cancer. Targeted modalities like breast MRI (for dense breast tissue), prostate MRI (a more accurate alternative to PSA), and ultrasound (for thyroid, pelvis, and scrotum) are enhancing diagnostic precision. When paired with personalised risk assessments, these imaging tools can lead to earlier diagnoses and better long-term outcomes.

The Health Lodge Model: Integrative, Personalised, Evidence-Based
While routine screening and advanced technologies are crucial, the heart of effective cancer care lies in a patient-centred, integrative model. At The Health Lodge, we combine
advanced diagnostics such as hormone testing, microbiome analysis, and toxin detection with functional medicine strategies that assess gut health, endocrine balance, and environmental exposures.

Our team of multidisciplinary experts remains committed to staying at the forefront of
integrative oncology. We continuously integrate the latest scientific findings into practice to ensure our patients benefit from the most up-to-date strategies in cancer prevention, detection, and care. “By remaining informed, we offer strategies that not only enhance quality of life but that also have the potential to save lives, transforming healthcare for generations to come.” Kyra Roberton

AUTHOR | KYRA ROBERTON - Integrative Naturopath and Clinical Nutritionist with specialised training in Oncology support.