When one of the country's foremost physicians—people like Dr. Andrew Weil—need someone to care for their friends and family dealing with cancer, the man they turn to is Keith Block, M.D. "I believe in Keith's program and would head to the Block Center if I were facing a diagnosis of cancer. It is where I have and will continue to send my friends and family," said Dr. Weil.
Dr. Block, Medical Director of the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment, has been treating cancer patients for more than three decades. His treatment model combines the best of conventional cancer treatments— surgery, radiation, molecular and chemotherapy—with research-based complementary interventions such as dietary changes, supplemental herbs and nutrients, stress management, and therapeutic movement, that mitigate treatment toxicity, augment treatment effectiveness, and improve a patient's quality of life. In addition, preliminary research suggests this integrative, individualized approach to treatment provides patients their best chance for recovery; in fact, in many cases, Block's patients have survived years longer than their original prognoses.
He tells even those in advanced stages battling the most hard-to-treat forms of the disease, "It's possible to gain a survivor's edge by innovative approaches to conventional strategies and by transforming the way you take care of yourself."
This innovative clinical model is detailed in his book Life Over Cancer (Bantam, 2009).
The Survivor's Trilogy. The Block Center's approach to cancer treatment begins with a thorough medical work-up and detailed patient assessments that evaluate each patient's 1 - biography, 2 - unique biology and 3 - the disease and specific pathology. In addition to routine labs, this evaluation includes biochemical and molecular profiling, nutritional, physical, mind-spirit and quality-of-life evaluations. This data, acquired from each patient's assessment provides the information needed to develop an individualized treatment plan.
The first arena of treatment is what Dr. Block calls Biography, which he defines to include diet, fitness, mind-spirit, circadian health and other lifestyle factors. As an example of the importance of diet, he says "Breast cancer patients who limit their fat intake to below 20% - consistent with what we recommend at the Block Center -can reduce their risk of recurrence by an average of 24%! We also know that women with early stage breast cancer who had the highest insulin levels were twice as likely to have their tumor metastasize, and three times as likely to die of breast cancer, as women with the lowest insulin levels. "For this reason, I believe any patient combating breast cancer or trying to avoid a recurrence would be wise to have their doctor routinely monitor their insulin and blood sugar levels, as well as their insulin growth factor (IGF-1)."
Dr. Block offers this advice to colon cancer patients," By choosing a whole foods diet and keeping fit with a simple program of walking about 6 hours per week, colon cancer patients may cut their mortality by 61%!" He says, "Similar research exists for other cancers!"
The second arena of treatment focuses on strengthening a patient's anti-cancer biology—the physiological environment that either encourages the growth and spread of malignancies or thwarts them. A pro-inflammatory condition both promotes malignant progression and can impair a patient's life quality. Research supports this concern. "If a patient is suffering clinically from their disease or side effects, they may be unable to maintain the optimal dosing or be forced to interrupt their treatment schedule. This can undermine treatment." Block states that "maintaining an optimal cancer fighting terrain is essential to a successful outcome!"
The third arena of treatment targets tumors directly with conventional treatments, molecular therapies, experimental options, off-label use of approved drugs, and natural medicines. The Life Over Cancer program provides advice for coupling natural products to diminish toxicity from chemotherapy drugs, help boost treatment effectiveness, and reduce treatment resistance. For example, supplements such as fish oil or melatonin, in dosages tailored to the individual patient, may help reduce the ability of the cancer cell to develop resistance to treatment over time and maintain treatment sensitivity, with the potential for better results.
Cancer free and done with treatment? Not yet. Hearing the words "you are cancer free" should give patients cause to celebrate, but according to Block, "it should not be the end of treatment. The fact is that most patients still retain small numbers of microscopic residual cancer cells in their bodies even after successful treatment."
"It is critical to use the period immediately following treatment, when visible disease has been eliminated, to begin a program aimed at mopping up any remaining invisible cells and reducing the patient's odds of ever seeing cancer again," Dr. Block says. He has created "Recurrence Prevention," a program he believes helps patients reduce their odds of recurring through reassessments and adherence to a personally tailored plan focused at maintaining remission.
In an endorsement for Life Over Cancer, Dr. Wayne B. Jonas, President of the Samueli Institute and a former director of the NIH, writes "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."
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