Terrain Assessment Questionnaire

From Chapter 2 in the Metabolic Approach to Cancer book

Whether you aim to prevent cancer, have recently been diagnosed with it, or are in remission, it’s essential to assess various diet and lifestyle elements that may contribute to the cause. By identifying and prioritizing the potential drivers of an individual cancer process, you gain the ability to put the brakes on the runaway truck of this complex disease.

This questionnaire is not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure cancer, rather to simply highlight awareness. To interpret your score, see which of the terrain areas have the highest number of “yes” answers. The top few will be the areas you will want to prioritize focusing on the soonest. Do know that starting to address any one of these ten areas will significantly enhance your body’s response to conventional treatments, reduce side effects, and make you stronger. 

If you score high in one or more areas, buy the book, The Metabolic Approach to Cancer.

Click next to begin our 10 part quiz.

GENETICS AND EPIGENETICS

Our genes, which make us who we are, are marked by polymorphisms called genetic SNPs. These genetic SNPs get turned on or off by what we consume, the stress in our lives, toxins, inflammation, and more. Genetic SNPs can either support us or make us more susceptible to disease. 

You may have heard that our genes are not our destiny. Our food and lifestyle choices have the most significant impact on genetic regulation. If you are ready to change the fate of your genes, grab a bowl full of your favorite cruciferous vegetables drizzled with cold-pressed organic olive oil, a dash of sea salt, and olives.

BLOOD SUGAR BALANCE

Did you know that periodic and continuously increased blood sugar and insulin levels are the basis for some progressive and recurrent cancers (Winters & Higgins Kelley, 2017). The amount of sugar present in modern-day diets is at an all-time high and is causing an incredible amount of health problems. One of the first things you can do at home is to start sprinkling some blood sugar supportive cinnamon into your morning coffee or tea.

TOXIC BURDEN

With over 10,000 known toxins in and outside of our homes, it is no wonder many of us have a high toxic burden. What we eat, drink, wear, inhale and sleep on potentially carries an incredible amount of toxins that our bodies need extra support to detoxify. 

Let us help you learn about what is burdening your system and how to detoxify. When you are ready to book an appointment, grab a tall glass of filtered water with freshly squeezed lemon to help stimulate detoxification pathways in your liver. We also suggest checking the toxic load in your drinking water by entering your zip code into the Environmental Working Groups water database. 

MICROBIOME AND DIGESTIVE FUNCTION

Hippocrates stated that all disease begins in the gut. With more than 80% of our immune cells residing in our gut, what we feed them matters! Fiber from vegetables and fruit is critical for the health of your gut, so we challenge you to try one new vegetable a day! The daily recommended fiber intake for adults is approximately 25 grams.  The first step at home is to assess your fiber intake and consider adding a fiber supplement. 

IMMUNE FUNCTION

If you scored high in this immune section, please focus on Chapter 7 in The Metabolic Approach to Cancer. 

Our immune system is constantly on high alert, looking for invaders such as viruses and bacteria that can potentially cause ill-health. With modern lifestyles our immune systems have become stressed, overburdened, and unarmed due to poor diet, environmental toxins, nutrient depletion, and medications. Our immune cells can become overworked and need nutritional support! We suggest visiting our friends at Mountain Rose Herbs and stocking up on some garlic pepper, thyme, and oregano to add to your cooking.

INFLAMMATION

There are numerous dietary factors that may contribute to inflammation but the main culprit is an overconsumption of inflammatory omega 6 fats and a low consumption of omega 3 fats. Omega 6 fats are found in processed foods including salad dressing, barbecue sauce, corn oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, microwave meals, breads, chips, pizzas, French fries, cookies, ice cream, pastries, margarine, butter replacers, and fast food. Meanwhile, omega 3 fats are found in foods like cold-water fish (preformed EPA/DHA), flaxseeds, walnuts, and certain dark leafy greens.  Ask your doctor about a micronutrient test. 

BLOOD CIRCULATION AND ANGIOGENESIS

There is an Eastern quote that says “A man will live 100 years if he takes 100 steps after every meal” and we believe it. Sedentary lifestyles increase both cancer risk and risk of cardiovascular disease. Americans are sitting an average of thirteen hours a day and sleeping an average of eight hours resulting in a sedentary lifestyle of around twenty-one hours a day. Sitting is considered the new smoking! Do get your blood moving, start by taking a 30 minute walk outside every day. You will find energy AND mood improves!

HORMONE BALANCE

There is a large body of evidence coming from epidemiologic studies showing people who consume high amounts of phytoestrogens in their diets have lower rates of several cancers including breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Get started by sprinkling some sesame seeds onto your next salad!

It is important to work with a certified Oncology Nutrition Consultant (ONC) to best understand the many factors at play when it comes to hormones, from genetics, to liver function, to GI health, and more. Whether or not to eat soy products depends on several individual variables. 

STRESS AND BIORHYTHMS

“The Environment, through light, food, and stress flips the switches on genes to produce hormones, which in turn flip other genes – from growth, death or repair – on and off.”

--TS Wiley, Lights Out

Cancer risk increases in those who don’t sleep, is especially higher in shift workers and also in those who often cross time zones during air travel. In 2007, the IRAC concluded that shift work is probably carcinogenic to humans. When we sleep—adults need at least 8 hours and kids at least 12—hormones are released, tissue growth and repair occurs, neurological pathways are regenerated, detoxification occurs, and the immune system is replenished. And, you probably guessed it, sleep affects the body’s reaction to insulin. Just two nights of poor sleep can increase levels of IGF-1. Sleep deprivation also causes a decrease in leptin, known as the satiety hormone, and an increase in ghrelin, or “the hunger hormone”. Make sleep a priorty by avoiding screens after dark, and talk to your doctor about testing sleep (melatonin) and stress (cortisol) hormone levels.

MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Having some kind of emotional support and encouragment is extremely important when it comes to good health outcomes. You might enjoy this uplifting lecture on mindset from nutritionist Matty Lansdown.

RESULTS

To learn more on what you can do from home, buy the book,
The Metabolic Approach to Cancer and focus particularly on the Chapters that you score high in.

NEXT STEPS

If you'd like to learn more about how to integrate this assessment tool into your practice, or about our 250 Hour Oncology Nutrition Consulting certification program. Please submit your form or send us an email at info@oncologynutritioninstitute.com. Eat well!