The Thyroid Fixer – Episode 564

Title: Cancer, Controversy and Hope Uncovered: What Works and What Doesn't, Part 1
Host: Dr. Amie Hornaman
Guest: Dr. Denise Warden
Release Date: September 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This special episode marks the start of a deep, two-part exploration of Dr. Amie Hornaman’s personal cancer journey with her physician, Dr. Denise Warden. The conversation is practical, candid, and sometimes emotional, aiming to illuminate both the complexities and controversies in cancer care—especially for those navigating diagnoses while also coping with thyroid and hormone issues. The hosts seek to replace confusion and misinformation with guidance, hope, and actionable insight for anyone facing a cancer diagnosis or supporting a loved one.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Stress–Cancer Connection & The Mitochondrial Hypothesis

• Stress as a Cancer Driver: Dr. Warden asserts that chronic stress doesn’t just harm globally; it actively “feeds” cancer cells, sometimes more than diet and lifestyle habits.
  • “Stress is more harmful and feeding more cancer cells than you doing all the right things.” – Dr. Denise Warden [00:00]
• Mitochondria vs. Genetics: Dr. Warden breaks down the prevailing misconception that cancer is mainly genetic. Only 5–10% of cancers are hereditary; the majority stem from acquired mitochondrial damage from environmental exposures and stress.
  • “Most cancers are not genetic… that other 90–95%... is due to that damage to that mitochondria.” – Dr. Denise Warden [11:42]

2. Personalizing Cancer Care: “Know Thyself”

• Information is Power: Dr. Hornaman and Dr. Warden advocate for tailored approaches based on how much information a patient feels comfortable handling.
  • “You have to know you…most people say, tell me more. I want to learn more.” – Dr. Denise Warden [10:18]

3. Cancer Causality: Environment, Toxins, Hormones, and Air Quality

• Family history is only part of the picture.
• Environmental toxins (water, food, air) are major contributors. Air quality, often overlooked, can be significant.
  • “A lot of cancers are related to poor air quality…does that mean you have to stay in front of your Jasper and only eat certain things and not have a life? No.” – Dr. Denise Warden [23:09]
• The younger population, especially women, are being diagnosed with more aggressive cancers at alarming rates.

4. Diet & Cancer Prevention—Focus on Ketogenic Diet

• Should everyone be keto?: While unwavering adherence is unrealistic (especially for women with complex hormone needs), Dr. Warden sees six-week stints, a couple times per year, as a powerful metabolic “reset.”
  • “Why don’t you go on a ketogenic diet for about six weeks?…Try to starve a few [cancer cells] at least a couple times a year.” – Dr. Denise Warden [19:06]

5. The “Healthy” Get Cancer Too

• Many cancer patients are fit and health-conscious—cancer does not discriminate.
  • “A bigger percentage of mine are healthy people who happen to have cancer.” – Dr. Denise Warden [22:29]
• Heavy metals, toxins, and the ubiquity of environmental stressors are possible reasons.

6. Surgical Intervention vs. Alternatives: Dr. Amie’s Decision Journey

• Dr. Amie recounts her experience with rhythmic hormone dosing, lack of period, and diagnostic process that led to discovery of atypical complex hyperplasia, and, later, cancer.
• Surgical Decision-making: Dr. Warden usually supports surgical removal in cases not seeking fertility, especially when imaging (PET scan) shows strong disease activity, as delay can risk metastasis.
  • “The more you take out, the more your immune system can get involved for the things that we're going to miss.” – Dr. Denise Warden [26:18]

7. Importance of Advanced Imaging (PET Scan)

• PET scans can detect metabolic activity of cancer cells and are critical for informed decision-making—but often denied by insurance or omitted by physicians.
  • “You just said, I don't care. I'm going to pay cash if I have to. I'm getting one.” – Dr. Denise Warden [37:50]
• Patient agency and access to information are essential in cancer care.

8. Integrative & Metabolic Approach to Cancer

• Blending Conventional & Integrative: Dr. Warden’s approach includes both mainstream medical techniques and metabolic therapies—ketogenic diets, hyperbaric oxygen, etc.—geared to the patient’s unique biochemistry.
  • “You blend functional or integrative and conventional…that’s what you did for me.” – Dr. Amie Hornaman [39:34]
• She stresses the importance of data collection and transparency in both conventional and alternative clinics.
  • “Ask anyone…are you collecting data? Can you show me that?…You gotta be careful.” – Dr. Denise Warden [41:53]

9. Dangers of Extremes & Anecdotes in Cancer Therapies

• Story Fatigue & Bombardment: Dr. Amie describes being overwhelmed with alternative “cure” stories after her diagnosis; Dr. Warden warns that personal anecdotes are not a substitute for long-term outcomes.
  • “That’s an N of one. That's great…but am I going to leave the container in me with active cancer…to maybe try these alternative therapies?” – Dr. Amie Hornaman [43:39]

10. Evaluating Cancer Therapies

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

• Evidence: Strong support for use in shrinking tumors, especially when combined with ketogenic diet; improves sensitivity to chemo/radiation with reduced side effects.
  • “Hyperbaric is a pillar…it gets oxygen where it needs to go…case histories of shrinking tumors.” – Dr. Denise Warden [50:14]

Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT)

• Not enough human cancer-specific data yet; beneficial for general health and athletic recovery, but unclear for impacting cancer at the cellular level.

Animal Studies—KetoPet & Canine Cancer

• KetoPet’s work in dogs with cancer (ketogenic diet, hyperbaric oxygen, interval training, affection) showed remarkable tumor regression and longevity, inspiring similar human protocols. [54:00]

11. Hormones: Risks, Rewards, and Personalization

• Dr. Amie’s Case: Pre-cancer, she did not metabolize estrogen well (per DNA & DUTCH testing)—likely the “trigger” for her cancer. Post-surgery, she resumed hormones but with vigilant monitoring and aggressive support for detoxification.
  • “I don't love the hormones in you. I just don't. But you are making a quality of life decision…and you're watching. That’s the only way to do that.” – Dr. Denise Warden [62:54]
• No Shame, Only Choice: No woman should be pressured into—or out of—hormone therapy. Quality of life, comfort, and “whole-self” wellness matter.
  • “At the end of the day, it has to be a personal choice.” – Dr. Amie Hornaman [63:13]

12. The Role of Adrenal Health After Menopause & Stress Mitigation

• Adrenals take over hormone production post-menopause; chronic stress impairs their ability to meet hormonal needs.
  • “If you're stressing, your body can't produce those hormones…now you're really low…So that's very imperative.” – Dr. Denise Warden [64:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Denial really doesn't get us anywhere. It just allows the cancer…to just kind of sit there and do its thing.” – Dr. Amie Hornaman [09:47]
• “Some of the most stressed people I know are the biohackers.” – Dr. Denise Warden [16:13]
• “Half of mine are really great [about health]…and it’s not genetic in them.” – Dr. Denise Warden [22:04]
• “I never thought I would say these words…after working with cancer for so many years, I would rather err and take out an organ you don’t really care about, than hope…that it doesn’t metastasize.” – Dr. Denise Warden [36:07]
• “Give yourself that time. Put together a plan, really understand [your options].” – Dr. Denise Warden [47:31]
• “Anybody who tells you, I can cure your cancer, you better run the other way.” – Dr. Denise Warden [57:34]

Key Timestamps

• 00:00–03:00 — Introduction to episode, Dr. Amie’s mission, initial cancer themes
• 09:02–10:58 — Stress and cancer; kinds of patients’ information preferences
• 10:58–16:12 — The genetic fallacy and mitochondrial dysfunction; environmental and stress triggers
• 16:38–19:06 — Microbiome, immune system, and the darker side of “biohacking stress”
• 19:06–22:29 — Ketogenic diet, cancer, adaptation, practical tips
• 24:07–25:16 — Cancer as a growing epidemic; rise in young women, shifting epidemiology
• 26:33–30:11 — Dr. Amie’s diagnosis journey; decision logic for surgery
• 37:59–39:54 — The importance of PET scans and informed patient choices
• 43:52–44:11 — Dangers of jumping to extremes in “cures”
• 50:00–52:22 — HBOT, exercise with oxygen, and the science behind them
• 59:13–63:13 — Hormones, genetic risk, real-life choices and monitoring
• 65:26–66:06 — Preview of Part 2: more controversial therapies, personalized tumor testing

Summary & Listener Takeaways

• Empowerment through education and personalized guidance is key.
• “Cancer” is complex: lifestyle, environment, stress, and hormonal metabolism all interact—genetics play a smaller role than most assume.
• Integrative approaches that combine data-driven metabolic and mainstream therapies offer more tailored, hopeful options.
• No “one-size-fits-all”: Both treatment and prevention plans must honor the unique biology, preferences, and risk tolerance of each patient.
• Information, time to make decisions, and a support system (including skilled practitioners) are vital.
• Extreme positions—mainstream OR alternative—are risky; blending best practices from each, with real data, serves patients best.
• Always question success anecdotes and demand data, transparency, and honesty from all providers.

The conversation continues in Part 2, promising even deeper dives into controversial therapies and personalized cancer testing.