273. Why One-Size-Fits-All Cancer Care Doesn’t Work

Today’s episode is going to challenge how you think about treatment. What if cancer care wasn’t one-size-fits-all? What if every decision — from the drugs you take to the supplements you choose — was tailored to your own biology?

My guest, Dr. John Oertle, Chief Medical Director at Envita Medical Centers, has spent over 25 years pioneering a truly personalized, integrative approach that merges precision oncology, functional medicine, and technology.

We’ll explore why some people respond to treatment while others don’t, what circulating tumor DNA can tell us about recurrence, and how understanding environmental toxins and genetics can literally change your odds.

💡 Key Take-Aways

• Cancer isn’t one disease. Even tumors within the same breast can have different genetic make-ups.
• CTDNA and circulating tumor cells can reveal recurrence risk years before imaging shows a problem.
• 90% of patients Dr. Oertle sees are resistant to at least one of their prescribed chemotherapies — proving the need for personalized testing.
• AI and deep learning help doctors tailor therapies in real time, shifting from “trial-and-error” to “test-and-treat.”
• Off-label and combination therapies can target molecular pathways missed by standard regimens.
• Environmental toxins and infections (like pesticides or Lyme disease) may play a major role in cancer initiation and progression.
• Integrative care matters. Diet, metabolism, and detoxification affect how the body responds to treatment.
• Early detection + data = empowerment. Patients should feel informed, not fearful, when asking about advanced testing.

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