Immune Function & Inflammation
Chronic Inflammation and Cancer Terrain
Inflammation is not always bad
Inflammation helps the body respond to infection and injury. The concern is chronic, unresolved inflammation that can shape tissue environments, immune signaling, DNA stress, and tumor biology (Greten & Grivennikov, Immunity, 2019).
Where inflammation can come from
Potential contributors include infections, obesity, insulin resistance, poor sleep, stress physiology, dysbiosis, environmental exposures, periodontal disease, autoimmune activity, and sedentary patterns. Each patient’s drivers are different.
What can be addressed safely
A plan may include nutrition, physical activity, sleep repair, oral health, gut health, medication review, stress physiology support, and targeted lab monitoring. Anti-inflammatory supplements should be reviewed for bleeding risk, liver metabolism, drug interactions, and treatment timing.
The bigger picture
Inflammation is one part of terrain, not the whole story. It should be integrated with oncology treatment, functional status, lab trends, and the patient’s goals.
Practical takeaways
- Inflammation is a normal and necessary process — the concern is inflammation that stays switched on.
- A raised inflammatory marker during treatment means infection or disease activity until your oncology team says otherwise.
- Sleep, movement, dental health and adequate protein do more for inflammatory balance than supplements.
- Do not treat an inflammatory marker as a target in isolation.
How SANAVITA Health approaches this
SANAVITA Health provides physician-led integrative oncology education and support with a focus on clarity, safety, whole-person care, and collaboration. The goal is to help patients understand their options, reduce avoidable risk, and build a supportive plan that fits their diagnosis, treatment phase, values, and care team recommendations.
Research references
- Greten FR, Grivennikov SI. Inflammation and Cancer: Triggers, Mechanisms and Consequences. Immunity. 2019 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6831096/
- Landskron G, et al. Chronic Inflammation and Cytokines in the Tumor Microenvironment. Journal of Immunology Research. 2014 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4036716/
- World Cancer Research Fund. Diet, nutrition, physical activity and cancer prevention resources https://www.wcrf.org/
- Ligibel JA, et al. Exercise, Diet, and Weight Management During Cancer Treatment: ASCO Guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2022 https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.22.00687
