Is Cancer Really Genetic? What Science Says About Your Family Risk

When I was a kid, I watched my great-grandma fall into the deep sea of Alzheimer’s disease. Later, my great aunt did the same. In my 30s, my mom was diagnosed with melanoma. A few years later, my grandma died of pancreatic cancer. Four years after that, my dad also died of pancreatic cancer. And most recently, in 2025, my grandpa passed away after battling colon cancer.

It felt like cancer was written into my family tree—and for a long time, I thought I was destined for the same.

But I refused to accept that answer. Instead, I set out to learn everything I could about natural healing, disease prevention, and how to create a body that cancer doesn’t want to live in. Along the way, I discovered something that changed everything: most cancers aren’t purely genetic.

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The Truth About Cancer and Genetics

We’ve all been told the same story: “If cancer runs in your family, it’s just genetic—you can’t do much about it.”

But here’s what newer research and integrative doctors are showing: 95% or more of cancers are metabolically driven. That means they’re shaped by how we eat, move, live, and handle stress.

Yes, you can inherit genetic weaknesses. But those weaknesses don’t guarantee you’ll get cancer. The way you live can either “turn on” those weaknesses or keep them hidden.

Think about it this way: genetics loads the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.

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Why Lifestyle Matters More Than You Think

The modern way of living is quietly fueling disease. We grab the foods put in front of us without questioning whether they nourish or harm. We follow outdated “conventional wisdom” without realizing it’s weakening our immune systems.

Meanwhile, cancer thrives in that environment. But the opposite is also true: we can create an environment where cancer struggles to survive.

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The Four Levers to Build a Body Cancer Hates

I coach people using four main levers for cancer and disease prevention:

1. Nutrient-Dense Eating
   What we put in our bodies matters most. For example, most cancers feed on sugar. Reducing added sugars and refined carbs is one of the most powerful first steps. That means reading ingredient labels and avoiding foods with sneaky sugars.
2. Smart Movement
   No need for brutal workouts. Just break a sweat a couple of times a week doing something you enjoy, and move more throughout your day. Movement supports detox, fat burning, and immune function.
3. Eating Window (Fasting)
   Your pancreas was designed to release insulin just 2–3 times per day. Snacking all day long keeps it overworked. Consolidating your meals into an eating window allows your body time to handle digestion and immune repair.
4. Reducing Toxins
   From processed foods to chemicals in our environment, toxins overload the body’s natural defenses. Reducing exposure gives your body a chance to thrive.

When you start stacking these levers—even in small, common-sense ways—you’ll look and feel better while tipping the odds in your favor.

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Debunking the Red Meat Myth

One question I often hear is whether red meat and cholesterol cause cancer. That idea came from the 1950s and 60s, but it’s been debunked by decades of research.

Our ancestors thrived on meat and healthy fats for hundreds of thousands of years. The real issue isn’t fat or cholesterol—it’s the combination of high fat and high sugar together, which creates the perfect storm for storing fat and fueling cancer.

Bottom line: a nutrient-dense, ancestral way of eating (real foods, not ultra-processed products) builds resilience.

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Small Wins Add Up

The path forward isn’t about perfection or complicated protocols. It’s about making small, doable tweaks:

• Eat more real foods.
• Move your body in ways you enjoy.
• Cut down on added sugars and processed foods.
• Limit your eating window.
• Reduce toxins where you can.

When you do this, you’re building a body that cancer hates. You’re training your system to burn fat, grow lean muscle, detox naturally, and kick your immune system into high gear.

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Where Do You Stand Right Now?

Here’s a concerning stat: 1 in 3 American women and 1 in 2 American men will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.

But those numbers don’t have to include you. My goal is to help people stop living like “standard Americans” and start living like exceptional ones. You don’t need fancy equipment, expensive supplements, or a complicated program. Just simple, powerful steps toward the lifestyle your body was designed for.

👉 Curious where you stand right now? Take my short quiz. In just a few minutes, you’ll find out if your risk looks low, moderate, or high—based on three key markers you can measure at home.

Take the quiz now →