Nutrition & Cancer 2026-2028

Cancer nutrition is one of the fastest-evolving areas in medicine — and one of the most common topics patients bring to their clinicians. This course gives physicians and healthcare professionals a rigorous, evidence-based foundation in the role of nutrition across the cancer continuum: prevention, treatment, and survivorship.

The curriculum covers breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer in depth — including ketogenic and low-carbohydrate diets, insulin resistance, the gut microbiome, phytonutrients, and dietary supplements. It also takes on the most popular dietary approaches cancer patients are already asking about, offering clinicians the evidence they need to guide those conversations. Completing this CME cancer nutrition course, clinicians will be equipped to counsel patients with confidence, evaluate emerging evidence critically, and apply nutrition strategies that are specific, safe, and grounded in current science.

The science of carcinogenesis is shifting rapidly, and emerging research continues to illuminate the interplay between nutrition and cancer. Grounded in current cancer nutrition science, this course examines those interactions — spanning cellular metabolism, immunity, inflammation, genetics, epigenetics, and the gut microbiome — with applied focus on breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. It traces the role of nutrition across prevention, active treatment, and survivorship, and includes a critical review of evidence and safety considerations for commonly used supplements.

1. Identify the epidemiology of cancer.
2. Recognize the impact of socioeconomic, racial, mental health, and environmental disparities in cancer care.
3. Name hallmarks of carcinogenesis and nutritional factors that impact these hallmarks.
4. Describe the interaction between genes, epigenetics, and nutrition.
5. Explain 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.
6. Recognize the carcinogenic influence of insulin resistance and develop familiarity with ways to improve insulin sensitivity.
7. Identify the impact of various dietary phytonutrients and dietary supplements through an analysis of current scientific and clinical evidence.
8. 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.
9. Identify evidenced nutritional and physical activity recommendations used for risk reduction and health optimization in cancer survivors.

https://awcim.arizona.edu/online_courses/nut_cancer.html

The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 13.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Accessibility Statement
 
University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Office of Continuing Medical Education is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.  If you have needs that require special accommodations, including dietary concerns, please contact the CME activity coordinator.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Continuing Medical Education adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). The CME office reviewers have nothing to disclose. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.