Integrative Oncology Nutrition
Personalised, evidence-informed nutrition support designed around your cancer diagnosis, treatment, symptoms, pathology and individual health needs.
Whether you're preparing for treatment, currently undergoing treatment or navigating life after cancer, nutrition can play an important role in maintaining strength, managing treatment-related effects and supporting your longer-term health.
What Is Integrative Oncology Nutrition?
Nutrition that works alongside your cancer care
Cancer can change your nutritional needs considerably.
Treatment may affect appetite, digestion, body weight, muscle mass, energy, bone health, metabolic health and nutrient status. At the same time, many people are confronted with conflicting information about what they should eat, foods they should avoid and supplements they should take.
Integrative oncology nutrition uses evidence-informed nutrition and lifestyle strategies alongside, never instead of, conventional cancer treatment.
My role is to help you understand what is relevant to your situation and develop a practical nutrition strategy that complements your medical care.
Three Stages of Care
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Before Treatment
Preparing nutritionally for surgery or treatment may help you enter treatment in the strongest position possible.
Support may include:
assessing nutritional status
identifying potential deficiencies
optimising protein and energy intake
reviewing current supplements
supporting metabolic health
preparing for anticipated treatment-related nutritional challenges
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During Treatment
During chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or endocrine treatment, priorities can change quickly.
Nutrition support may focus on:
maintaining adequate energy and protein intake
preserving weight and muscle where appropriate
managing nausea, appetite and taste changes
digestive symptoms
fatigue
hydration
nutritional deficiencies
supplement and medication interactions
supporting treatment tolerance and recovery
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After Treatment
Finishing cancer treatment creates a new set of nutritional priorities.
Support may include:
weight management
rebuilding or maintaining muscle
cardiometabolic health
bone health
brain health
gut health
menopausal symptoms
fatigue
nutritional deficiencies
dietary patterns associated with long-term health
What My Approach Looks Like
Personalised nutrition, not a cancer diet
There is no single diet that is right for every person with cancer.
Your nutritional needs can differ depending on your cancer type, treatment, medications, symptoms, pathology, body composition, medical history and stage of care.
Rather than applying a restrictive ‘cancer diet’, I consider the bigger clinical picture.
Your assessment may consider:
Your cancer treatment
Current and previous treatments, medications and anticipated side effects.
Your diet
What you currently eat, your nutritional requirements and where meaningful changes may help.
Your pathology
Relevant blood results and nutritional or metabolic markers.
Your symptoms
Including appetite, digestion, fatigue, bowel changes and treatment-related effects.
Your supplements
Whether they are necessary, appropriately dosed and compatible with your treatment.
Your longer-term health
Including cardiovascular, metabolic, bone, brain and muscle health.
Supplement Safety
Supplements during cancer treatment require particular care
It's understandable to want to do everything possible to support your body during cancer treatment.
But more isn't necessarily better.
Some nutritional supplements and herbal medicines can interact with cancer medications, affect drug metabolism or be inappropriate at particular stages of treatment.
Others may be useful when there is a clear clinical indication.
My approach is to consider:
why you're taking it
available evidence
dose
duration
treatment timing
potential medication interactions
your pathology and nutritional status
Food remains the foundation. Supplements are used strategically where there is a clear rationale.
Collaborative Care
Designed to complement your medical treatment
Integrative oncology should be integrated.
With your consent, I communicate with your oncologist, GP and other healthcare practitioners where appropriate.
This is particularly important when recommendations involve supplements, significant nutritional concerns, pathology abnormalities or symptoms that require medical review.
My role is not to replace your oncology team, but to provide specialised nutritional care that complements the treatment you're receiving.
About Lisa
Oncology nutrition informed by clinical practice and research
Lisa Hanlon is a degree-qualified Clinical Nutritionist with advanced training in integrative oncology.
Her clinical focus includes nutrition during cancer treatment and cancer survivorship, with a particular interest in the metabolic and longer-term health challenges that can emerge following treatment.
Lisa's Master of Research at Western Sydney University investigated models of care for preventing and managing weight gain following breast cancer.
Her approach combines clinical nutrition, pathology interpretation and current research with practical recommendations designed for real life.
Oncology Nutrition Consulations
Currently Undergoing Cancer Treatment?
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The 12-week Cancer Survivorship Program provides personalised nutrition support that evolves alongside your treatment, helping you navigate nutrition, symptoms, nutritional status and supplements throughout treatment.
Finished Active Treatment?
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The Thrive Beyond Cancer Program provides six months of structured, personalised support, focused on rebuilding health and addressing the longer-term nutritional and metabolic priorities that can follow cancer treatment.
Not Sure What You Need?
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Book a complimentary 15-minute discovery call.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No.
Integrative oncology uses evidence-informed complementary approaches alongside conventional cancer treatment.
Alternative therapies are used instead of conventional medical treatment. I do not provide or recommend alternative cancer treatment.
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Some can.
Supplements, herbal medicines and high-dose nutrients may interact with particular cancer treatments or medications, which is why they should be assessed individually.
What is appropriate depends on the treatment, dose, timing, nutritional status and reason for taking the supplement.
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Yes.
Your oncology team should know about supplements and herbal medicines you're taking.
With your permission, I can also communicate with your oncologist or GP about nutritional recommendations where appropriate.
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Food is the foundation of my approach.
Targeted supplementation may be appropriate where there is a nutritional deficiency, increased requirement or other clear clinical indication.
My preference is to use supplements strategically rather than prescribing large numbers of products without a clear rationale.
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There isn't one diet that suits everyone undergoing cancer treatment.
Your priorities may depend on your treatment, symptoms, appetite, weight and nutritional status.
For some people, maintaining weight and getting enough protein and energy is the priority. For others, metabolic health or managing treatment-related symptoms may require greater attention.
Check out my Webinar: Nutrition During And After Cancer Treatment →
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Yes.
Cancer survivorship is a major focus of my practice.
Nutrition after treatment may focus on weight, metabolic and cardiovascular health, bone health, brain health, maintaining muscle, gut health and establishing a sustainable dietary pattern for long-term health.
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Yes.
With your consent, I can communicate with your treating practitioners where clinically appropriate so that your nutritional care remains coordinated with your medical treatment.
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Consultations are available in clinic in Parramatta and via telehealth Australia-wide.
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Integrative approaches focus on supporting the whole person during treatment. Evidence-based strategies may help manage:
• Cancer-related fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain and inflammation
• Neuropathy
• Digestive changes
• Sleep disturbances
• Anxiety and emotional distressThe aim is not only symptom relief, but also maintaining strength, resilience, and treatment tolerance.
Confused about Nutrition After a Cancer Diagnosis?
You don't have to navigate conflicting advice about food and supplements on your own.
Whether you're preparing for treatment, currently undergoing treatment or looking ahead to life after cancer, we can develop a nutrition strategy that's appropriate for where you are now.
