Exploring the Link Between pH Balance, Nutrient Buffering, and the Tumor Microenvironment

Researched and written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Retired Pharmacist, and founder of Prevail Over Cancer.

Acidic Terrain: How pH Influences Cancer Risk and Progression

Cancer doesn’t grow in a vacuum—it thrives in environments shaped by metabolism, inflammation, and cellular stress. One of the most overlooked yet critical factors? pH balance. While blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35 and 7.45, other body compartments, including the tumor microenvironment, can become significantly more acidic. This shift isn’t just a biochemical quirk; it may actively promote cancer growth, immune evasion, and treatment resistance.

Acidic Microenvironments and Cancer Progression

Cancer cells often rely on aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect), producing lactic acid even in the presence of oxygen. This leads to a localized drop in extracellular pH, often reaching 6.5–6.9 i...