Can Nutrition Really Prevent Cancer Recurrence? The Research Says Yes
For many cancer survivors, finishing treatment marks the beginning of a new chapter. One focused on recovery, renewal, and, often, an underlying question: What can I do to prevent it from coming back?
It’s a question I hear every week in clinic. The good news is that an ever-growing body of research supports the power of nutrition and lifestyle to not only improve recovery but also reduce the risk of recurrence across several cancer types.
Myth Busting: “Nutrition Can’t Really Change Cancer Risk”
For decades, cancer prevention was viewed largely through the lens of screening and medical intervention. While these remain critical, we now know that lifestyle medicine accounts for up to 80% of health outcomes, encompassing diet, physical activity, sleep, stress, and environmental exposures.
In fact, studies indicate that 30–50% of all cancers are preventable through modifiable factors such as diet and lifestyle. That statistic alone reframes prevention from something outside our control to something deeply actionable.
The same principles that reduce initial cancer risk also play a significant role in reducing recurrence. This is where integrative oncology comes in, combining conventional treatment with evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies.
The Research Explained
Large cohort studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that certain dietary patterns can reduce the risk of both cancer incidence and recurrence. Diets high in plant-based foods, fibre, and omega-3 fats, and low in ultra-processed foods and added sugars, consistently correlate with better outcomes.
A 2021 review by Rock et al., in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians reported that survivors who maintain a healthy weight, engage in regular physical activity and follow a nutrient-dense dietary pattern experience significantly lower all-cause mortality and recurrence rates.
But how exactly does nutrition influence recurrence risk? Research suggests the answer lies in three interconnected systems: inflammation, immune function, and metabolic health.
1. Inflammation: Calming the Internal Fire
Chronic, low-grade inflammation can act like a smouldering ember that fuels cancer progression. It interferes with cell communication, promotes DNA damage, and encourages tumour microenvironments that favour regrowth.
Nutrition strategies that help:
Prioritise anti-inflammatory foods: colourful vegetables, fruits, extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, and oily fish (rich in EPA/DHA).
Limit pro-inflammatory foods: ultra-processed items, trans fats, refined carbohydrates, processed meat and excessive alcohol.
Include phytonutrient-rich herbs and spices: turmeric, ginger, and green tea contain bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory properties.
An anti-inflammatory diet doesn’t mean restriction. It means abundance, colour, and variety. It supports the body’s natural ability to regulate inflammation long after treatment has ended.
2. Immune Support: Strengthening the Body’s Defence System
Your immune system is constantly scanning for and destroying abnormal cells, a process known as immune surveillance. After treatment, maintaining a resilient immune system is critical in preventing recurrence.
Nutrition strategies that help:
Support the gut microbiome: fibre-rich foods, fermented vegetables, kefir, and prebiotics such as PHGG feed beneficial gut bacteria that influence immune function.
Ensure adequate micronutrients: vitamins A, C, D, E, zinc, and selenium are all key to immune cell function and antioxidant defence.
Include protein with every meal: it’s essential for tissue repair, immune signalling, and maintaining muscle mass during survivorship. To maintain muscle mass it is recommended you consume at least 1.5-2.0gm of protein per kg of body weight, which means if you weight 60kg, you should be aiming to consume 90-120gm of protein per day.
Lifestyle factors such as restorative sleep, sunlight exposure, and managing chronic stress also directly influence immune health — highlighting that prevention is multifaceted and integrative by nature.
3. Metabolic Health: The Missing Link in Survivorship
Emerging research has identified metabolic dysfunction (particularly insulin resistance and central adiposity) as a major driver of recurrence risk, especially in breast, colorectal, and endometrial cancers.
Elevated insulin and glucose can promote tumour growth and inflammation. This is why supporting metabolic flexibility (being able to burn fat or glucose for fuel) is foundational in survivorship care.
Nutrition strategies that help:
Balance blood sugar: pair complex carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats; avoid long stretches without eating if prone to hypoglycaemia.
Move daily: even light activity (especially after meals) enhances insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammatory markers.
Focus on whole, unprocessed foods: they naturally regulate appetite, hormones, and energy metabolism.
Optimising metabolic health doesn’t mean restriction. When blood sugar, weight, and hormones are in balance, the body’s terrain becomes less favourable for cancer recurrence.
Lifestyle Medicine: The 80% Rule
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, it is estimated that up to 91% of the non-fatal burden of disease is related to chronic conditions, which are influenced by lifestyle factors. Nutrition, movement, stress management, sleep quality, and social connection all act synergistically to reduce cancer recurrence risk and enhance wellbeing.
This is where integrative oncology nutrition provides a clear framework:
It manages co-morbidities for long-term health.
It empowers survivors to become active participants in their health.
It personalises treatment to improve health and wellbeing, and so much more.
What You Can Do Today to Reduce The Risk Of Cancer Recurrence
Eat for colour and variety: aim for 30+ different plant foods per week.
Move your body daily: walking, resistance/weight training, swimming or yoga, whatever you love. It all counts.
Prioritise sleep: aim for 7–9 hours of quality rest every night.
Reduce alcohol: even small reductions support better outcomes.
Seek professional guidance: personalised nutrition makes a measurable difference.
Where to Get Support
As a clinical nutritionist specialising in integrative oncology, I work with clients every week to design individualised nutrition and lifestyle plans that support cancer prevention, recovery, and long-term vitality.
My services include:
Personalised nutrition consultations (online and in-person in Cronulla, NSW)
Compounded supplements tailored to your needs
Workshops and collaborations for individuals and health professionals
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Prevention and recurrence reduction don’t happen by chance, they happen by choice, with the right knowledge and support.
Download my free guide: 5 Evidence-Based Nutrition Strategies for Survivors: practical, research-backed tools to start applying today.
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