Dear Ladies,
Browsing the internet I stumbled upon the Block Center http://www.blockmd.com/
They use an ' integrative cancer care' (body/mind) approach in combating cancer. From what I understand, Block Center tries to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, apply the chemo at its most effective time via a chronomodulated device, and limit the intake of cancer's energy sources.
This sounds all very nice, especially reading the four patient testimonials.
Does anybody have experience with the Block Center? Were those positive/negative? Besides those four patients, are there any others who went into remission after being treated by Block Center (also with metastatic breast cancer?)?
Heard of scam-stories?
Is this really an option for the safekeeping?
Any thoughts are welcome.
Thanks,
MomDa
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Block Centre
- By XYZin
- Posted October 1, 2009 at 7:54 pm · 8 replies
- In Treatment options
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Chemotherapy Counseling Dementia Avastin Breast cancer
8 replies
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- By chloemom
- Posted October 1, 2009 at 9:49 pm
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Dear MomDa,
Dr. Block is for real. He is also with the U of IL at Chicago, does research with scientists from all over, including some projects with M.D. Anderson. He wrote a book which was recently published and is available at all the major bookstores, I think it's called Life after Cancer.
The book describes a lot of the integrated treatments he practices. It's a not only a good intro to his practice, but has lots of info for us to follow with our own treatments whether we can go to his clinic or not.
I have an appointment there next week. I know people in my area who go to his clinic and love it ... we live about 2 1/2 hours from Evanston. There are people on Inspire who also go to the clinic and I'm sure they will
let you know what they think.
Hope this is helpful!
- By Natada
- Posted October 2, 2009 at 10:26 am
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I traveled from Virginia to get on the Block nutritional supplements and dietary program. I am presently doing chemo, in VA but plan to periodically visit the nutritionist and oncologist at the Block center during this run of chemo. (They actually suggessted Abraxane and Avastin protocol tha I am on) I have never had so much blood work done, and it was obvious that I need help. I would highly recommend a visit if your interested in complemetray medicine approach.(My local onc is fine with my collaborative effort) The program is tailored to your needs and is very focused, and that is what I liked. Sometimes the internet provides too much info, it is good to talk to people who have actually chosen an approach and have experience applying it to patients.
Natada
- By lauriem
- Posted October 2, 2009 at 10:46 am
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When I talked with them - they seemed to have a totally veg. approach to diet. Is that what you are finding? I am est. positive so the whole soy thing scares me.
- By Natada
- Posted October 2, 2009 at 4:27 pm
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The diet is a modified marcrobiotic approach. a lot of grains, vegetables, fruit and fish, limited fats. It allows more variety than a strct macrobiotic diet. It is an exchange system. It is more about how much of the good stuff to eat. Chicken, is low on the list, even if it is organic, but you can still have just less often. I actually have lost weight and feel great. I am continuing my supplements through chemo. This visit was paid for by my insurance, except the cost of the nutritionist consult,
Natada
- By essenia
- Posted October 3, 2009 at 5:39 am
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Hello and welcome,
I've gone to the Block center for years and like everything about it especially their flexibility. They incorporate both sides of medicine: the conventional via pharmaceuticals and the complementary via nutritional analysis,various other mind/body/brain adjuncts such as massage, counseling yoga and more. Their comp (some say CAM to stand for complementary, alternative, mind) aspect of treatment is as scientifically based as is possible. Blood tests are utilized to determine nutritional status of the terrain as well as measurements like fat/lean ratio from the PT department. a group of researchers at the U. of IL is employed to keep current with information in the CAM arena. Keith Block also has and does travel the world reviewing other approaches to cancer care than the American and can speak to many other modalities foreign to us.
About soy: it is a recommended food but only in its whole state which means edamame, tempheh. The derivatives from processing such as soy milk, TVP, tofu are to used les sparingly and particularly with breast cancer. Protein is derived porimarily for legume/grain combos but also from fish and eggs in more limited quantities. They leave room for the occasional "celebratory".
When I wanted high vitamin IV therapy and was getting it elsewhere they, after research, added it on and I can have it there now for the last 6 months. This is what I mean by flexibility. I find they have far more to offer in the CAM field than Cancer treatment centers of America.
The limits are that it is small compared to most centersand I want to have a specialist for my particular caner, advanced breast as you know, so I have a person at a large institution to consult with as well. Broad as CAM is there, I incorporate other modalities from an even broader field.
Best wishes ; all the choices we have to make are tremendous yet I firmly believe that to come to peace about a decision is crucialto quality of life, health even, ...until it becomes time for the next choice...
Jean
- By Puddentine
- Posted October 20, 2009 at 8:32 pm
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We had doctors at the NIH recommend the book Life Over Cancer and a nutritional consult at the Block Center. The book is very informative and our whole family has changed our diets dramatically.
- By posterchild
- Posted October 21, 2009 at 2:28 pm
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I am also a satisfied Block patient. It has been over 5 years since I went there for my chemo. I live in Dallas so I flew there for my treatments every three weeks.
Their nutrition recommendations were helpful. I had a brain necrosis after radiation and the nutrition recommendations were changed acordingly. brain necrosis has a high risk of dementia but so far no problem. Btw the standard treatment for b n is not known to help very much and has severe side effects.
- By XYZin
- Posted October 23, 2009 at 9:57 am
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Thank you for the replies. I think we definitely keep this on the list of option we hope never have to use. My mother is currently on hormonal therapy and I really hope that she can stay on that for many years.
Next week is our 3-month marker..hopefully the therapy works.
! I never thought that tofu could be bad !
At least for those who already have mbc or bc.
I did some research and it appears that we eat a lot of good stuff, but also a lot of estrogene-adding products.....(*and my mother is estrogene positive).
Here is a link of a very recent article with a list of things that contain a lot of estrogenes. Hope this can help you (*this is also probably in line what the Block Center would recommend/discourage to consume).
http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/reprint/57/5/260.pdf
Regards,
Momda
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