Helen's comments: I had the privilege of attending the 2nd Annual Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medical Conference on January 8th through the 10th held at the Palm Beach Airport Hilton. I am a breast cancer survivor and am still going through treatment for Stage IV breast cancer. Throughout my 7 year cancer journey, I have been evolving into an advocate. Due to a missed flight connection, I was unable to attend the networking portion of the conference. On Friday, there was a full agenda with a multitude of speakers. They included physician Keith Block, and his wife, Penny Block, who lectured on the Block Integrative Center in Evanston, IL and their model for treating cancer. The Blocks have taken an approach to treating cancer, which involves using conventional approaches such as chemotherapy. They have coupled this with exercise, diet, nutrional supplements, chronographic chemotherapy, and psychosocial support. During the 30 year history of the Block Center, many patients have survived and thrived years past their estimated survival time. Additional topics addressed included nutritional approaches to counteracting toxins in the environment, flower remedies, and the impact of diet on breast cancer. The diet discussion reiterated some of the information that I already knew, but served as a good reinforcement. Some major takeaways are that sugar feeds cancer, it is best to eat a plant based diet /fresh fish and to avoid alcohol. I took this advice to heart at the conference and ate a lot of grouper (a local fish). It was easy to follow the recommended dietary guidelines, since the food at the conference was healthy, organic, and delicious. Subsequent to the conference, I have been implementing this diet at home and the conference got me motivated to continue down this path. During lunch, I had an opportunity to visit the exhibitors’ room and was impressed with the knowledge and friendliness of the exhibitors. There wasn’t a sales push to purchase the items on display and I felt comfortable asking questions. The day wrapped up with a panel consisting of various practitioners discussing their perspectives on complementary care. I learned about the existence of oncological naturopaths and various advocates that aid patients on a fee basis. As an example, Dr. Gwen Stritter, discussed her role in reviewing patient medical records and making treatment and physician recommenders and even speaking to the physicians’ on the patient’s behalf. I was not aware of the existence of these services and see great benefit for cancer patients in using this service. The first day of the conference was full of information and the second day was the same. Lynne Farrow described the history of iodine and how it can be used as a breast cancer treatment. The nutrional supplement, Avemar, was discussed and data showing improved survival was displayed when using this supplement. Dr. Ralph Moss discussed traveling around the world for CAM therapy. His travels included visiting the Block Center, and clinics in Germany, Mexico, and China. He discussed that several conventional hospitals have CAM clinics, including both MD Anderson in Houston and Northwestern University. Due to FDA restrictions and skepticism in the medical community, the US CAM clinics are somewhat restricted in the therapies that they can use. The good news is that there is a change in the fundamental thinking of traditional physicians and they are becoming more open to complementary medicine. The recent Presidential change will most likely be pro complementary and pro research. The days ended with two powerful speakers. Charlotte Louse was a 20 year plus survivor of lung and ovarian cancer who was given a life expectancy under 1 year. Charlotte discussed her many techniques to beating her cancer, including dietary/supplement approach, body brushing exercise, screaming, massage, etc... Carol Zaryicki, the yoga instructor at the conference, also spoke of her techniques for beating cancer in addition to homeopathic remedies that she develops. At the conclusion of the conference, I felt energized and full of knowledge and hope. I was honored to meet some of the attendees and learn /share information. I have a shopping bag (recycled, of curse) of information that I am reading. I found some information regarding supplements on platelets and have passed this information along to an individual with the precursor to leukemia. He is currently undergoing weekly blood transfusions. I am also passing on conference information to others that I meet, including my yoga group of cancer survivors. Again, I want to thank you for a well organized conference packed full of useful and actionable information. The conference exceeded my expectations and I am truly grateful that you have been able to grow a grassroots organization that dispenses knowledge and positively impacts cancer survivors and the medical community. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.