The Immune System and Cancer: Myths, Facts, and the Role of Strengthening the Body's Natural Defences

Few topics concern people living with cancer as much as the question of their own immune system. Many patients wonder whether a weak immune system caused their illness, and whether they now need to take extra care of themselves. At UNIFONTIS, the practice for integrative oncology led by Prof. Dr. med. Joachim Drevs, we hear this concern very often in our daily work. In this article, we would first like to clear up this widespread myth, and then explain why deliberately strengthening the body's natural defences can still be an important part of integrative cancer therapy.

Myth vs. Fact: Is a Weak Immune System the Cause of Cancer?

From the perspective of Prof. Dr. Drevs and the UNIFONTIS team, this common myth can be clearly addressed: a weak immune system is not the cause of cancer. Cancer cells develop from the body's own cells, cells that were originally healthy but have become abnormal, and they are able to hide from the immune system regardless of whether it is strong or weakened. Even after a diagnosis, the immune system generally remains fully functional at first.

So where does the idea come from that cancer patients need special protection? The main reason lies in the treatments themselves: chemotherapy and radiotherapy can temporarily suppress the immune system, making patients more prone to infections during this time. Once treatment ends, the immune system usually recovers. This means that a person with cancer does not need to be treated with excessive caution on a permanent basis, as though they were extremely fragile. Prof. Drevs feels it is important to make this clear, because being treated with constant, exaggerated care can make people feel sicker than they actually are, adding unnecessary strain.

So What Role Does the Immune System Play in Cancer Medicine?

Even though a weakened immune system is not the cause of cancer, the body's natural defences play an increasingly important role in treatment. In principle, the immune system is able to recognise and fight abnormal cells, but tumour cells often manage to evade this defence. This is exactly where modern integrative oncology comes in: it aims to specifically support the body's own defence mechanisms and help make tumour cells more visible to the immune system, complementing established conventional medical treatments.

At UNIFONTIS, we therefore combine evidence-based medicine with biologically enhanced treatment approaches, tailored to each individual patient. One important basis for this is a comprehensive immune profile, created using modern laboratory analysis, which provides insight into a patient's current immune status, tumour characteristics, and possible treatment options.

Immune-Strengthening Approaches During Active Cancer Treatment

During the active treatment phase, the main goal is to support the body and ease the burden of treatment. At UNIFONTIS, we use individualised immunotherapies that harness the body's own immune cells to recognise tumour structures more precisely. These are complemented by innovative infusion therapies and hyperthermia, which can help reduce inflammation and activate the immune defences. These approaches are always combined with established treatments, with the aim of making therapy more effective and easier to tolerate. How much a particular approach helps varies from person to person, and in oncology, there can never be a blanket guarantee of success.

Why Strengthening the Immune System Remains Important After Treatment

Once treatment is complete, the focus shifts: it is no longer about supporting an ongoing therapy, but about long-term stability. Many patients feel left alone with their fear of relapse during this phase. This is exactly where our relapse prevention programme comes in: a concept designed to support the body as it recovers, with the aim of reducing the risk of the disease returning over a period of months. Which measures make sense depends on each patient's personal medical history and is reviewed regularly as treatment progresses.

Our Conclusion: Education, Not Fear

For Prof. Dr. Drevs and the entire UNIFONTIS Team, it is especially important to clearly dispel myths surrounding cancer and the immune system. A weak immune system is not the cause of cancer. Nevertheless, deliberately strengthening the body's natural defences, both during and after treatment, can be a valuable part of an individual therapy plan. What matters most is always looking at each person as an individual: every cancer is different, and every treatment plan must be tailored accordingly.

If you would like to learn more about integrative cancer therapy at UNIFONTIS, or have questions about your personal situation, please feel free to contact us. We take the time to listen to your concerns and offer individual, personal consultations, either in person in Sickte or via video call.