Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine

Nutrition & Cancer 6.25 Hours (2022 - 2024)

Overview

This course covers emerging research in the interplay between nutrition and cancer and offers insights into the role of nutrition in three common cancers: breast, colorectal, and prostate. The course stresses advancements in the understanding of carcinogenesis, individualization of nutrition and cancer treatment, and offers an updated take on the role of nutrition during cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship.

Needs Assessment

The understanding of carcinogenesis and of personalized cancer treatment is changing. With more understanding of the hallmarks of carcinogenesis and the role of genetics in prevention and the development of cancers, it is necessary to introduce learners to the complex interactions between cancer, nutrition, cell metabolism, immunity, inflammation, genetics, epigenetics, and the gut microbiome. This course addresses controversies as well — popular diets used by individuals interested in cancer prevention and recovery — offering guidelines to help determine whether following these diets is in a patient's best interest. This course presents best evidence-based nutritional recommendations for a variety of cancers, and preventive nutritional strategies.

Overall goal

The goal of this activity is to: provide a review of the current relevant literature about cancer and nutrition; provide practitioners with an understanding of the central role of nutrition in health and healing; provide a scientific basis for the integration of nutrition into the conventional management of cancer; and opportunities to apply information from the literature to interactive clinical scenarios.

Objectives

Nutrition & Cancer students will:

• Gain familiarity with the epidemiology of cancer
• Develop an understanding of the impact of socioeconomic, racial, mental health and environmental disparities in cancer care.
• Review hallmarks of carcinogenesis and nutritional factors which impact these hallmarks.
• Review the interaction between genes, epigenetics and nutrition.
• Explore the rationale, evidence, clinical indications, and contraindications for various dietary patterns on cancer risk and in integrative cancer treatment - specifically carbohydrate and caloric restriction, a ketogenic diet and fasting.
• Gain an appreciation for the carcinogenic influence of insulin resistance and develop familiarity with ways to improve insulin sensitivity.
• Evaluate the anti-cancer potential for various dietary phytonutrients and dietary supplements through an analysis of current scientific and clinical evidence.
• Apply nutritional information that is specific to cancer types, namely breast, colorectal and prostate cancers, through a review of summarized clinical evidence and with clinical scenarios, advising virtual patients about nutritional strategies.
• Gain insight into evidenced nutritional and physical activity recommendations used for risk reduction and health optimization in cancer survivors.

Curriculum

Module 1: Nutrition and Cancer Introduction

Module 2: How Nutrition and Genes Interact

Module 3: Cancer Metabolism

Module 4: Insulin Resistance, Obesity, and the Microbiome

Module 5: Phytonutrients and Popular "Anti-cancer Diets"

Module 6: Approaches to Three Common Cancers

Module 7: Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Cancer Survivorship

Course Evaluation: complete the course evaluation to get your certificate for the course.

Course Exam: test to acquire continuing education credit.

Completion Requirements

Complete all the course work, course evaluation, and the final test with a score of 70% or better. Upon successful completion you will be able to print your certificate of completion.

Target Audience

Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and dietitians with an interest in oncology, as well as other health practitioners who have interest in integrative medicine.

Enrollment

You will have a maximum of 30 days access to the material from the start date. You can register and start immediately. If you register for the course and pay with a credit card you will have immediate access to the course. Once your registration is complete, logout and log back in and your course will be listed on the campus page. If you cannot remember your account information, click the Get Username and Password link on the login page and it will be emailed to you.

1. Complete your registration, including payment of the invoice (find this on "My Account")
2. Log out
3. Then log back in
4. If you cannot remember your account information, click the "Get Username and Password" link on the login page and it will be sent to the email address you used to register.
5. Your course will be listed on the Community Hub page.