Integrative Oncology: Summary of How to Starve Cancer

📘 How to Starve Cancer by Jane McLelland – Summary

Jane McLelland, a physiotherapist and two-time cancer survivor (cervical and later secondary lung cancer), wrote How to Starve Cancer to share the integrative and unconventional treatment protocol she used to beat terminal cancer.

🧬 Core Concept: Starving Cancer by Targeting Its Fuel Sources

McLelland’s central idea is that cancer feeds on multiple metabolic pathways, and to beat it, you must block several of these simultaneously—a concept she refers to as "starving cancer."

She draws from research on cancer metabolism and repurposed (off-label) drugs to target these pathways with:

• Prescription medications

• Supplements

• Dietary strategies

🔑 Key Elements of Her Approach

1. Cancer Metabolism Focus

   • Based on the Warburg effect, McLelland argues that cancer cells rely heavily on:

     • Glucose

     • Glutamine

     • Fatty acids

   • Her strategy is to block each of these fuel sources.

2. Off-Label Drug CocktailsShe combines several low-cost, non-cancer medications (with physician oversight) to interrupt cancer’s growth circuits. Examples include:

   • Metformin – Blocks glucose metabolism

   • Doxycycline – Mitochondrial function disruption

   • Mebendazole – Anti-parasitic with anti-cancer properties

   • Dipyridamole, Statins, Cimetidine, etc.

3. McLelland Metro Map

   • A visual representation of cancer’s multiple metabolic pathways

   • Helps identify drug/supplement combinations to “block” or “close” each route

4. Supplements and Natural Compounds

   • Curcumin, berberine, quercetin, EGCG (green tea extract), etc.

   • These target specific pathways or support conventional therapy

5. Diet and Fasting

   • Low-carb or ketogenic diet to reduce glucose availability

   • Intermittent fasting and therapeutic fasting to stress cancer cells metabolically

6. Personal Empowerment

   • Emphasizes research, advocacy, and personalized treatment planning

   • Encourages patients to become “CEO of their own cancer care”

⚠️ Important Caveats

• McLelland's protocol is not a substitute for conventional treatment, but a complement.

• Many of the drugs she used are off-label and require medical supervision to avoid dangerous interactions.

• While her case is remarkable, the protocol has not been validated in large clinical trials.

🧭 Legacy and Impact

Jane’s book has become a popular guide for cancer patients exploring integrative and metabolic approaches, especially for:

• Recurrent or advanced cancers

• Patients seeking non-toxic adjuncts to conventional therapy

• Those interested in metronomic and metabolic medicine

Her work has inspired a growing movement in metabolic oncology, though it remains controversial in mainstream circles due to its self-directed nature.