Keith Block - Life Over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment

Praise for LIFE OVER CANCER

Life Over Cancer is the compilation of Dr. Keith Blocks three decades of research and development of his optimal model of integrative cancer treatment. As chief of surgical oncology of a major medical institution, I have sent many patients to the Block Center. They experienced less treatment toxicity, improved treatment response, better quality of life, and improved outcomes. In my opinion, Dr. Blocks clinic is unique and is the top integrative oncology center in the U.S. It is where I would go if I was ever diagnosed with cancer.

N. Joseph Espat, M.D., Professor and Chief, Surgical Oncology, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island

Life Over Cancer is a must-read for anyone combating this disease. It provides genuine hope, as well as the evidence, rationale, and instructions in how to live a healthier, fuller life with cancer, while providing a broader array of treatment options that improve quality of life.

Nick Vogelzang, M.D., Director, Nevada Cancer Institute, Las Vegas; Professor of Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas

Here is cancer care as it should be: person-centered, integrated, individualized, and science-based. If you or your loved ones have been touched by cancer, or if you care for those with cancer, read this book.

Wayne B. Jonas, M.D., President and CEO, Samueli Institute; Director (19951999), Office of Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health

Keith Block is one of the great pioneers of integrative oncology. This important book is essential reading for patients and health professionals alike. Blocks approach is indicative of much of the future of this critically important field of medicine.

Michael Lerner, Ph.D., President, Commonweal; Cofounder, Commonweal Cancer Help Program

Life Over Cancer provides the reader with an accessible and comprehensive program that combines the best of conventional cancer therapy with effective complementary interventions. It is this whole person approach to patient care that Dr. Block brought to the University of Illinois Integrative Medical Education program, which he established in the mid-nineties. His dedication and efforts have transformed the schools medical education curriculum and inspired future physicians to view integrative medicine as a truly significant component of health care.

L. J. Sandlow, M.D., Senior Associate Dean for Academic & Educational Affairs, Professor and Head, Department of Medical Education, University of Illinois College of Medicine

In Life Over Cancer Dr. Block demonstrates his huge depth of knowledge of the comprehensive management of patients with cancer and illustrates the wealth of opportunities and choices available to them. This is a book about optimism, soundly grounded in science.

Stephen M. Sagar, M.D., President, Society for Integrative Oncology; Associate Professor, Oncology and Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario

Life Over Cancer provides countless strategies to enable the patient to regain some of the lost sense of control that a diagnosis often carries, empowering them to be a true partner in their fight for life. Dr. Blocks counsel and guidance have assisted countless medical professionals hoping to provide their own patients with a comprehensive integrative approach to care.

Donald I. Abrams, M.D., Chief of Hematology-Oncology, San Francisco General Hospital; Professor of Clinical Medicine, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, UCSF

How refreshing to come across this thoughtful book.With the boldness of a carpe diem, this evidence-based integrative approach should serve as a wake-up call for oncologists to overcome their obsession with treating cancer as an isolated target and to pay attention to the cancer patient whose own faculties need to be harnessed as agencies to win this war.

Azra Raza, M.D., Director of the Myelodysplatic Syndrome Center, St. Vincents Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York City; Former Chief Hematology-Oncology of the University of Massachusetts

Keith Block is the foremost integrative oncologist in North America. In Life Over Cancer he shares his incomparable depth of knowledge and experience with us and presents a comprehensive, scientific, and practical program for helping people with cancer effectively fight the disease.

Leo Galland, M.D., author, Power Healing; Director, The Foundation for Integrated Medicine

Life Over Cancer is a training manual for cancer patients, their families, cancer nurses, oncology pharmacists, and oncologists. [It] provides patients with insight and a series of concrete steps to help them live better and longer, despite a cancer diagnosis.

William J. M. Hrushesky, M.D., Senior Clinician Investigator, Medical Oncology, WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, South Carolina; Professor, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of South Carolina

LIFE OVER CANCER

A Bantam Book / April 2009

Published by Bantam Dell

A Division of Random House, Inc.

New York, New York

All rights reserved.

Copyright 2009 by Keith I. Block, M.D.

Book design by Diane Hobbing, adapted for ebook

Bantam Books is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc., and the colophon is a trademark of Random House, Inc.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Block, Keith (Keith I.)

Life over cancer : the Block Center program for integrative cancer treatment / Keith Block; foreword by Andrew Weil, preface by Robert Newman

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-553-80114-9 (hardcover) ISBN 978-0-553-90638-7 (ebook) 1. CancerPopular works. 2. Integrative medicinePopular works. I. Title.

RC263.B563 2009

616.99406dc22

2008047806

Ebook ISBN9780553906387

Published simultaneously in Canada

www.bantamdell.com

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Before following any of the self-help suggestions and treatments described in this book, we strongly recommend that you give careful consideration to your particular condition and consult with your doctor or health care practitioner. Because everyone is different, it is important that the suggested techniques, treatments, or lifestyle changes referred to in this book be undertaken only with the guidance of your doctor or health care practitioner to make sure they are appropriate for your particular condition and circumstance and wont lead to any adverse interactions with other treatments you may be undergoing.

In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself as part of a self-care program, the author and publisher specifically disclaim any and all types of liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, that is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.

The anecdotes presented in this book are true and accurate. However, except when requested, the names and some identifying details have been changed to maintain anonymity. Further, each individuals experience might be attributable to factors other than the ingredient itself. As such, results may not be typical and your results may vary.