Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment

Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment Research-based treatment that integrates an innovative approach to the best of conventional medicine with scientifically sound complementary therapies.

The Block Center was founded in 1980 by Keith Block, MD, and Penny Block, PhD. The Center's research-based treatment integrates an innovative approach to the best of conventional medicine with scientifically sound complementary therapies. We empower patients to help them become nutritionally, physically, and psychologically fit to better fight cancer. Cancer Treatments located in Skokie, IL

In the early years of his practice Dr. Block was seeing two distinct patient populations. The first group were patients ...
06/11/2026

In the early years of his practice Dr. Block was seeing two distinct patient populations. The first group were patients undergoing conventional cancer treatment. They often responded well to treatment, but struggled with adverse side effects. The second group, who favored alternative therapies, generally tolerated their treatments well but frequently experienced continued disease progression. Click here to discover why Dr. Block came to believe that "the middle ground is the optimal ground" and how that philosophy continues to guide our approach to cancer care today: https://blockmd.com/why-the-middle-ground-is-the-optimal-ground-2/

Conventional medicine often moves patients rapidly from diagnosis to treatment. As a result, before patients have even h...
05/28/2026

Conventional medicine often moves patients rapidly from diagnosis to treatment. As a result, before patients have even had time to process the life-altering reality of a cancer diagnosis, they are already being scheduled for treatment. In the vast majority of cases, this rush to treatment is not only medically unnecessary, but often ill-advised.
We believe there is a better way to transition patients into treatment—one that not only improves treatment tolerance but increases the odds of survival. At the Block Center, we call this approach “Cancer Prehab.” Read more here: https://blockmd.com/cancer-prehab-what-every-patient-needs-to-know-before-starting-treatment/

It was announced earlier this week that Vanessa Trump is battling breast cancer. While the news has often been accompani...
05/22/2026

It was announced earlier this week that Vanessa Trump is battling breast cancer. While the news has often been accompanied by information about current screening guidelines, it has also sparked renewed attention around dietary recommendations. We thought this would be a good opportunity to revisit our science-based nutrition recommendations and help clear up some of the misinformation that still persists: https://blockmd.com/breast-cancer-and-diet-separating-truth-from-fiction/

Advanced cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments often report suffering from insomnia, daytime sl...
05/13/2026

Advanced cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments often report suffering from insomnia, daytime sleepiness, fatigue and depression. In fact, experts estimate that as many as 50% of patients dealing with lung and other cancers experience fatigue syndrome, a combination of physical exhaustion, mental weariness, and reduced emotional stamina. Many factors in cancer and its treatment contribute to these symptoms, but a key one is disruption in patients’ circadian rhythms, or daily patterns of sleeping, waking, eating and other activities.
The Block Center conducted a randomized study with 30 of our chemotherapy patients to investigate whether a simple intervention could help raise melatonin levels naturally and, as a result, improve sleep, quality of life, objective measures of circadian rhythm, and reduce fatigue. The results were, well ... not what we expected! Read more here: https://blockmd.com/study-of-circadian-rhythms-in-block-center-chemo-patients/

One of the most common sources of distress for a patient is hearing “you have X number of months or years to live.” For ...
05/01/2026

One of the most common sources of distress for a patient is hearing “you have X number of months or years to live.” For anyone on the receiving end of such a dire prediction, such statements can seem tantamount to a death sentence, often resulting in profound grief and depression. In fact, some patients simply stop fighting and caring for themselves. Instead of finding ways to live, they focus on preparing to die. Click here to read why Dr. Block tells his patients to “forget all the talk of survival statistics. They don’t apply to you. Because all statistics, by definition, apply only to groups, not individuals.”
https://blockmd.com/beyond-the-numbers-why-survival-statistics-can-be-misleading/

A cancer diagnosis is both frightening and life-altering. As Dr. Block writes in Life Over Cancer, “‘you have cancer’ ar...
04/27/2026

A cancer diagnosis is both frightening and life-altering. As Dr. Block writes in Life Over Cancer, “‘you have cancer’ are three of the most dreaded words one can hear.” For many, the fear of chemotherapy is profound—often rivaling or even exceeding concern about the disease itself. This has led some to question whether chemotherapy remains a justified and necessary treatment. Click here to read what the science is telling us and what Dr. Block has to say: https://blockmd.com/can-we-still-justify-the-use-of-chemotherapy/

The timing of drug administration is called chronotherapy. Research demonstrates that chronomodulating the administratio...
04/23/2026

The timing of drug administration is called chronotherapy. Research demonstrates that chronomodulating the administration of chemotherapy can significantly improve 5-year survival among those battling advanced cancer. In addition, one can improve treatment tolerance, have a profound impact on patients’ response to treatment, improve clinical results and boost overall survival.

Learn why Dr. Block brought this technology to the Block Center over 2 decades ago and how it’s helping our patients: https://blockmd.com/?p=2634&preview=true

The often-heard phrase “false hope” is used when we fear the possibility of failure. But should it be a concern when a c...
03/31/2026

The often-heard phrase “false hope” is used when we fear the possibility of failure. But should it be a concern when a clinician is communicating a prognosis to a cancer patient? Not according to Dr. Block: “In truth, I worry far more about patients receiving “false hopelessness” than “false hope.” False hope runs the risk of a communication of exaggerated expectations. But false hopelessness runs the risk of leaving a patient with excessive despair. Meaning, terrifying words from a medical authority the patient has come to respect can lead to a patient unintentionally fulfilling that prophecy.” Read more here: https://blockmd.com/the-myth-of-false-hope-why-doctors-should-not-tell-patients-to-give-up-hope-2/

Address

5230 Old Orchard Road
Skokie, IL
60077

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18774125625

Website

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