Understanding Genetic SNPs for Cancer Treatment & Healing (PART ONE)
Cancer is a complex disease influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While traditional cancer treatments follow standardized protocols, emerging research highlights the importance of an individual’s genetic makeup in their treatment and healing. Genetic testing offers a deeper understanding of how a person’s body processes toxins, regulates inflammation, and responds to various therapies, allowing for more tailored and effective care.
By analyzing specific genetic variations—known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)—we can identify potential vulnerabilities in detoxification pathways, hormone metabolism, immune function, and DNA repair mechanisms. This information helps refine treatment plans, optimize recovery strategies, and guide preventive measures to reduce future cancer risk.
This is the first article in a two-part series exploring the role of genetic testing in cancer care. Here, we introduce the foundational concepts of SNPs and highlight two key genetic variations: COMT (Catechol-O-Methyltransferase) and CYP1B1 (Cytochrome P450 1B1). These genes influence estrogen metabolism, stress resilience, and detoxification—critical factors in cancer risk, treatment response, and recovery.
Understanding SNPs and Their Role in Cancer Care
What Are SNPs?
Our DNA functions like a master blueprint, instructing every cell in the body on how to grow, repair, and function. While most of our genetic code remains identical from person to person, small variations exist—called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These tiny genetic changes occur when a single nucleotide (A, T, C, or G) is substituted within a gene, potentially affecting how efficiently that gene performs its job.
Unlike major genetic mutations, SNPs don’t rewrite the entire gene—but they can subtly alter its function. Some SNPs may cause minor metabolic inefficiencies, while others may have no significant effect on the enzyme's function at all. Others can significantly influence cancer risk, treatment response, and overall recovery.
In the context of cancer, SNPs can play a major role in:
Cancer Risk & Susceptibility
Some genetic variations make it more difficult for the body to neutralize toxins, regulate hormones, or repair DNA, potentially increasing cancer risk. The way the body manages oxidative stress and inflammation also plays a key role in cancer prevention, and genetic differences can influence how well these protective systems work.
Response to Cancer Treatments
Just as genetic variations can impact how the body detoxifies and repairs itself, they can also determine how someone responds to cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Some people process medications faster or slower than expected, which can impact both effectiveness and side effects. Understanding genetic tendencies in drug metabolism, inflammation regulation, and immune response allows for a more personalized approach to treatment.
Healing & Recovery After Treatment
Genetic factors can also affect how well the body recovers from cancer treatments. The ability to rebuild healthy cells, regulate inflammation, and restore energy levels varies from person to person. Some individuals may bounce back quickly, while others may experience lingering fatigue, inflammation, or difficulty detoxifying after treatment.
By identifying these variations, genetic testing provides valuable insights that allow for a more personalized approach to cancer prevention and treatment.
COMT: Estrogen Detox & Neurotransmitter Balance
Your body has a natural system for breaking down estrogen and managing stress, and the COMT (Catechol-O-Methyltransferase) gene plays a major role in both. COMT helps detoxify estrogen and regulate key neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which influence mood, focus, and stress response.
One of its most important jobs is breaking down catechol estrogens—a type of estrogen metabolite that, if not properly cleared, can become toxic and damage DNA. When COMT function is slow, these harmful byproducts can build up in the body, increasing the risk of hormone-driven cancers like:
Breast cancer
Ovarian cancer
Prostate cancer
But COMT isn’t just about estrogen detox—it also affects how well your brain handles stress and inflammation. If your COMT function is impaired, you might notice higher anxiety, mood swings, or brain fog. Over time, this can contribute to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which create an environment that supports cancer growth.
Understanding your COMT gene variations can help you take a personalized approach to balancing hormones, improving stress resilience, and lowering your cancer risk
For more information on estrogen metabolism, check out this helpful resource from www.geneticlifehacks.com
COMT Genetic Variants & Their Impact
Your COMT gene acts like a clean-up crew for estrogen and neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. But not everyone’s COMT works at the same speed—some people process things too slowly, while others process them too quickly.
If You Have Slow COMT:
Your body struggles to break down estrogen, leading to a buildup of harmful estrogen metabolites that can damage DNA and increase the risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.
Slow COMT function can lead to estrogen dominance, increasing breast and ovarian cancer risk. Supporting estrogen metabolism with DIM and calcium D-glucarate is recommended.
Dopamine and norepinephrine stick around longer, making you more prone to anxiety, mood swings, and stress overload.
You may have a harder time detoxing environmental toxins, which can add to inflammation and oxidative stress.
Recommendations for Slow COMT:
Support Phase II detox pathways with methylation nutrients like methylfolate (B9), B12 (methylcobalamin), and B6 (P5P).
Increase magnesium intake to help calm the nervous system and support methylation.
Use stress-reducing techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, and meditation to help regulate neurotransmitter activity.
Avoid COMT inhibitors such as quercetin, green tea (EGCG), and Rhodiola, which can further slow down COMT activity and increase estrogen metabolite buildup.
Support liver detoxification with cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts), DIM (diindolylmethane), and calcium D-glucarate.
Avoid excessive catechol-containing foods (like chocolate and green tea), which can increase neurotransmitter load and worsen symptoms.
If You Have Fast COMT:
Your body clears estrogen and neurotransmitters too quickly, which can lower estrogen levels and affect hormonal balance.
This can lead to mood fluctuations, trouble focusing, and cognitive challenges because your brain may not hold onto dopamine and norepinephrine long enough.
Recommendations for Fast COMT:
Support estrogen levels with phytoestrogens like flaxseeds, soy, and sesame seeds to help balance hormones.
Ensure adequate magnesium levels to calm the nervous system and support mood regulation.
Avoid high doses of B vitamins (especially B9 and B12) since they can speed up COMT activity further.
Focus on brain support with omega-3 fatty acids, phosphatidylserine, and L-tyrosine to help with mood and cognitive function.
Increase catechol-containing foods like quercetin and green tea to help slow down COMT activity and improve neurotransmitter balance.
Because both variations impact hormone balance, mood, and detoxification, knowing your COMT type through genetic testing can help you personalize your diet, supplements, and lifestyle for better hormone regulation, stress resilience, and cancer prevention.
How Genetic Testing Helps
Understanding COMT variations through 3x4 Genetic Testing allows for targeted interventions that support hormone balance and detoxification. Based on an individual’s COMT function, we can personalize:
✅ Estrogen Detox Strategies:
Support Phase II liver detox pathways to ensure proper estrogen clearance.
Increase methylation support with methylfolate (B9), B12 (methylcobalamin), and B6 (P5P). Importantly, folic acid is not methyfolate and must be avoided in all supplements and foods.
✅ Diet & Supplement Recommendations:
Avoiding COMT inhibitors like quercetin, EGCG (green tea extract), and Rhodiola in those with slow COMT function.
Supporting COMT function with magnesium, SAMe, and NAC (N-acetyl cysteine).
✅ Stress & Nervous System Support:
Individuals with slow COMT function often benefit from mindfulness and nervous system regulation techniques to counteract heightened stress responses.
Supporting dopamine balance through exercise, balanced blood sugar, and meditation can help reduce neuroinflammation and anxiety.
Since COMT influences both estrogen metabolism and neurotransmitter balance, understanding your genetic variations can help guide a personalized approach to cancer prevention, stress resilience, and hormonal health.
CYP1B1: The Estrogen & Carcinogen Metabolizer
Your body works hard to process and eliminate estrogen and environmental toxins, and CYP1B1 (Cytochrome P450 1B1) is another SNP that plays a big role in this detoxification system. This enzyme helps break down estrogen into metabolites, but if not properly cleared, these metabolites can become highly reactive and damage DNA—a process also linked to hormone-driven cancers like:
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Ovarian cancer
What makes CYP1B1 particularly important in cancer care is that it’s often overactive in tumors, meaning some people process estrogen in a way that fuels cancer growth instead of protecting against it. CYP1B1 also affects how well chemotherapy works. Some research suggests that high CYP1B1 activity can make certain cancer treatments, like docetaxel, less effective, making genetic testing an important tool for personalized treatment strategies.
CYP1B1 Genetic Variants & Their Impact
Your CYP1B1 gene determines how efficiently your body metabolizes estrogen and toxins, which can affect both cancer risk and response to treatment.
High CYP1B1 Activity (Risk Variant):
Your body creates more DNA-damaging estrogen metabolites, increasing cancer risk.
CYP1B1 may be overexpressed in tumor tissue, fueling cancer growth.
You may have a harder time responding to chemotherapy, especially to docetaxel (a common treatment for breast and prostate cancer).
Individuals with a G allele (rs1056836) display a 3-fold higher enzyme activity, which increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), driving oxidative damage and inflammation. This increases susceptibility to prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer.
Factors that may increase disease risk with the G allele include:
A positive family history of cancer
Obesity
A diet high in saturated fat and meat
Cigarette smoking
Menopause
Hormone replacement therapy
Environmental exposures to endocrine disruptors (such as BPA and pesticides)
Recommendations for High CYP1B1 Activity:
Support estrogen detoxification by enhancing Phase II detox pathways with glutathione, sulforaphane (found in cruciferous vegetables), and methylation nutrients (B vitamins). Glutathione needs to be avoided in active cancer unless you have a deletion and Dr. Jamie is allowing a short course of treatment to detoxify from your chemotherapy. Liposomal, transdermal, or IV formulations are preferred.
Minimize exposure to cigarette smoke, charbroiled or barbecued meats, pesticides, and environmental toxins.
Curcumin and cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale) help downregulate CYP1B1 activity and reduce oxidative stress.
Avoid Diindolylmethane (DIM) in individuals with high CYP1B1 activity, as it can further upregulate CYP1B1 and increase ROS production.
Anyone with a CYP1B1 abnormality should consult Dr. Jamie or their provider prior to using DIM or I3C.
Ensure optimal Phase II detoxification to neutralize harmful estrogen metabolites and support hormonal balance.
Lower CYP1B1 Activity (Protective Variant):
Your body produces fewer toxic estrogen metabolites, which may help lower your cancer risk.
Tumors may grow more slowly, reducing the risk of aggressive disease progression.
You might metabolize certain medications differently, requiring adjustments in chemotherapy plans.
The G allele (rs1800440) is considered protective because it results in lower CYP1B1 enzyme expression and slower production of intermediate estrogen metabolites.
Individuals with the G allele have a decreased risk of endometrial, colorectal, and breast cancer (in individuals who have never used hormone therapy).
Recommendations for Low CYP1B1 Activity:
Support hormone balance by reducing exposure to exogenous hormones (such as birth control, hormone therapy, and BPA-containing plastics).
Optimize detoxification with cruciferous vegetables and sulforaphane to support Phase II detox pathways.
Maintain liver health with milk thistle and glutathione to support estrogen metabolism. Glutathione needs to be avoided in active cancer unless you have a deletion and Dr. Jamie is allowing a short course of treatment to detoxify from your chemotherapy. Liposomal, transdermal, or IV formulations are preferred.
Focus on phytochemical-rich foods (like turmeric, leafy greens, and berries) to support detox and protect against oxidative stress.
Since CYP1B1 plays a key role in both cancer risk and treatment response, understanding your genetic profile gives you the power to make smarter choices about your health. By tailoring your diet, supplements, and treatment approach, you can help your body detox effectively and improve your chances of successful cancer prevention and treatment.
How Genetic Testing Helps
By identifying CYP1B1 variants through 3x4 Genetic Testing, we can create a targeted plan to:
✅ Support Estrogen Detoxification & Reduce Cancer Risk:
Enhance glutathione production to neutralize harmful estrogen metabolites.
Use methylation support (B vitamins, magnesium) to aid detox pathways.
✅ Modify Treatment Approaches:
Patients with high CYP1B1 activity may benefit from resveratrol, which helps counteract the enzyme’s overactivity.
If chemotherapy resistance is a concern, alternative treatment strategies can be explored.
✅ Reduce Toxin Burden:
Limit exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as BPA, BPS, pesticides, and synthetic estrogens. Be aware that BPA is being phased out and replaced by BPS, but this is also an endocrine disrupter. Beware of BPA-free products that may have BPS in them.
Support liver detoxification with cruciferous vegetables, sulforaphane, and milk thistle.
Since CYP1B1 plays a key role in both cancer risk and treatment response, understanding your genetic profile gives you the power to make smarter choices about your health. By tailoring your diet, supplements, and treatment approach, you can help your body detox effectively and improve your chances of successful cancer prevention and treatment.
Looking Ahead: More SNPs That Matter
COMT and CYP1B1 are just one part of the larger picture when it comes to understanding how genetics influence cancer risk, treatment response, and recovery. In Part 2 of this series, we will explore additional SNPs that play a role in detoxification, inflammation, and DNA repair.
We will take a closer look at:
Glutathione SNPs (GSTM1, GSTT1) – Genes that influence the body's ability to neutralize toxins and oxidative stress.
MTHFR – A key regulator of methylation, which impacts hormone metabolism, detoxification, and DNA stability.
VDR – The vitamin D receptor gene, which plays a role in immune function and cancer defense.
By understanding these genetic variations, individuals can take a more personalized approach to cancer prevention and treatment. Part 2 will examine how these SNPs influence health and what steps can be taken to optimize their function.
Taking Charge of Your Health and Healing with Genetic Insights
Genetic testing is about understanding your body’s unique genetic framework so you can make the best possible choices for your bio-individual health and wellness. By identifying your genetic strengths and vulnerabilities, testing provides actionable insights to help you choose more effective therapies and optimize cancer prevention, treatment, and recovery.
With this knowledge, you can:
Understand your personal risk factors and make lifestyle changes that help lower them.
Fine-tune your treatment plan to improve effectiveness and reduce side effects.
Support your body’s natural detox and immune function, helping it fight cancer more efficiently.
Personalize your recovery plan so you can rebuild strength and resilience after treatment.
While this information can be overwhelming for some patients, the knowledge gained is essential and empowering to help you with lifestyle modifications, food, and supplementation guidance. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, it helps you and your care team create a plan that works with your body, not against it. Oft times, this may be as simple as food choices, lifestyle modifications, and strategic supplementation.
Want to learn what your DNA says about your health? Schedule a Terrain 3x4 Genetic Testing Consultation with our nurse practitioner, Erin Cunningham, for personalized insights and a clear action plan. Erin will walk you through your results and help you understand what steps you can take to optimize your treatment, recovery, and long-term well-being.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment plan.
References:
Gajjar, K., Martin-Hirsch, P. L., & Martin, F. L. (2012). CYP1B1 and hormone-induced cancer. Cancer Letters, 340(2), 113-129.
Lam, M., Lam, C., & Lam, J. (n.d.). Complete guide to the COMT mutation. Dr. Lam Coaching.
Hamed, M. (n.d.). Supplements to avoid with a slow COMT. MTHFR Solve.
Hamed, M. (n.d.). How NAC can help people with COMT mutations. MTHFR Solve.
