Cancer risk isn’t shaped by genetics alone. Many of the factors linked to it, including chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, gut and immune health, and environmental exposures, are influenced by how we live every day. A functional medicine approach to cancer looks at these factors together as the body’s internal terrain and works to support it, whether you’re focused on lowering your risk or navigating treatment and recovery.
That matters because so much of cancer risk is connected to daily life. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 2.1 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2026 (Cancer Facts & Figures 2026). An ACS-led study published in 2024 found that roughly 4 in 10 cancer cases in U.S. adults 30 and older could be attributed to potentially modifiable risk factors, including smoking, excess body weight, alcohol, physical inactivity, and diet (Islami et al., CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2024).
At The UltraWellness Center, functional medicine doesn’t replace oncology care. It works alongside it. The goal is to understand what’s happening in your body as a whole and to build a personalized plan, grounded in nutrition, lifestyle, and testing where appropriate, that supports resilience before, during, and after cancer.
This conversation was led by Dr. Elizabeth Boham, MD, MS, RD, a functional medicine physician at The UltraWellness Center, and Carly Leusner, MS, CNS, LDN, a licensed nutritionist on our Functional Nutrition team.
What is a functional medicine approach to cancer?
A functional medicine approach to cancer focuses on the biological conditions that may influence cancer risk and recovery, rather than on the tumor alone. A clinician looks at factors such as inflammation, blood sugar regulation, gut and immune function, hormone balance, nutrient status, and toxin exposure, then builds a personalized nutrition and lifestyle plan to support them. It is designed to complement standard cancer screening and oncology treatment, not replace them.
What is the body’s “internal terrain”?
“Internal terrain” is how functional medicine describes the environment inside the body that cells live in every day. Research has linked several features of that environment to cancer risk across many cancer types:
- Chronic inflammation. Low-grade inflammation that persists over time is associated with DNA damage and changes in how cells grow and repair. Diet, sleep, stress, and excess body weight can all play a role.
- Insulin resistance and blood sugar. Persistently elevated insulin and blood sugar are linked to higher risk for several cancers. Excess body weight, one of the leading modifiable risk factors identified by the American Cancer Society, is closely tied to this pathway.
- Gut and immune health. The gut microbiome helps regulate inflammation and immune activity, and a healthy immune system plays an important role in identifying and clearing abnormal cells.
- Environmental exposures. Tobacco smoke, alcohol, and certain chemicals and pollutants can affect cancer risk. The liver, gut, and kidneys work continuously to process and eliminate these compounds, and nutrition can support those pathways.
No single factor tells the whole story. Functional medicine looks at how these systems interact in each person.
What We Explored in the Webinar
In this UltraLearning Series session, Dr. Boham and Carly Leusner discussed:
- How functional medicine assesses the body’s internal terrain, and why it matters for both reducing risk and supporting recovery
- The biological drivers most linked to cancer risk: chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, gut and immune dysfunction, and environmental toxin exposure
- Where functional lab testing fits alongside standard cancer screening in personalized care
- Targeted nutrition and lifestyle strategies you can start now, whether you’re focused on prevention or recovery
About the Presenters
Dr. Elizabeth Boham, MD, MS, RD, is a functional medicine physician at The UltraWellness Center. Trained as both a physician and a registered dietitian, she brings a nutrition-first, root-cause approach to prevention and whole-body health.
Carly Leusner, MS, CNS, LDN, is a licensed nutritionist on The UltraWellness Center’s Functional Nutrition team, helping patients build personalized, sustainable nutrition plans.
Work With Our Team
If you’d like support lowering your risk or building a plan that works alongside your cancer care, schedule a time with our New Patient Engagement Coordinator for a complimentary discovery call.
