Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy may treat cancer but can also necessitate huge changes in lifestyle and body image and predispose the patient to other diseases, recurrence, and death. Block (medical director, Block Ctr. for Integrative Cancer Treatment) lays out a comprehensive complementary-therapy program designed to enhance conventional treatments, and he provides advice that will better a patient's life and improve chances of a full cure. Block stresses that patients should not abandon traditional medicine and should consult their health-care team before adding less traditional treatments. He details an anticancer diet, with specific recommendations for foods and supplements, as well as exercise plans and spiritual maintenance. Methods of boosting one's immune response while providing a less friendly "bioterrain" for cancer cells are suggested, as are techniques to counteract the ill effects, e.g., nausea and fatigue, of traditional cancer therapies. This dense book may overwhelm some readers, but considering the prevalence of cancer, it's sure to be a popular title.—Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans Hosp., Tampa
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Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
Having had breast cancer twice and having read virtually every book out there on the subject, I have to say that this book sets the gold standard. For starters it is well wrtten, well organized and well researched which are qualities you rarely find in this type of book. Beyond this, it contains an incredible amount of immediately useful information while maintaining the recognititon that one size does not fit all-a practice that you often find in the medical community. In my own journey through this disease, I have observed that many clinics are attempting to incorporate integrative strategies, and even though they are moving in the right direction, they are missing the whole picture. It is so blatantly clear that Dr. Block has put together all the pieces in a truly comprehensive approach. I was so impressed with this book, I bought a copy for every doctor that I have interacted with in the past few years.
If you or a family member are dealing with cancer- pay attention- this book is the one you will refer to over and over again.
