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

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/

The recent death of 48-year-old actor James Van Der Beek from colorectal cancer has once again brought national attentio...
03/11/2026

The recent death of 48-year-old actor James Van Der Beek from colorectal cancer has once again brought national attention to the rising rates of colon cancer among younger adults.

If you’re under 50, colorectal cancer may not be on your radar. But with diagnoses increasing at an alarming rate in this age group, it should be! However, there are lifestyle changes we can all make that science tells us will reduce our risk of colon cancer. Read here for more: https://blockmd.com/march-is-colon-cancer-awareness-month-steps-you-can-take-to-reduce-your-risk-of-colon-cancer-2/

If you or someone you care about has been impacted by cancer, this is a podcast you won’t want to miss! In this episode,...
09/25/2025

If you or someone you care about has been impacted by cancer, this is a podcast you won’t want to miss! In this episode, Cancer Choices founder Michael Lerner and Robin Daly, founder of the UK charity Yes To Life, sit down with Dr. Keith Block for an in-depth conversation. Among the topics discussed, Dr. Block explains why “the middle ground IS the optimal ground,” the role of the microbiome in enhancing drug therapies, how the Block Center’s program helps patients overcome treatment resistance, and the innovative strategies we use to prevent some of the most common—and potentially life-threatening—complications of both cancer and its treatments:
https://yestolife.org.uk/frontiers-in-cancer-care/
On Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XK2enG9XRajBcdOHYlyja?si=wEjP1lMZRxWOOODG9cnK4g&nd=1&dlsi=fc51e0601290429b

09/20/2025

Last month, Dr. Block sat down with Robin Daly and Michael Lerner, co-hosts of the popular podcast “Frontiers in Cancer Care.” A link to the episode will be posted on Monday, September 22. In this preview, Dr. Block discusses the vital role of integrative oncology in preventing and treating the potentially life-threatening complications of cancer and its treatment.

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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