Cancer cells favor glycolysis for several reasons. Firstly, glycolysis is faster than oxidative phosphorylation, allowing for rapid ATP production. Secondly, intermediates from glycolysis are diverted into other biosynthetic pathways to support cell growth. Thirdly, the acidic microenvironment created by lactic acid production aids in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. This metabolic flexibility gives cancer cells a survival advantage under various conditions.