Hi, sorry about your mom.
I've been doing some research lately about curcumin and it's cancer fighting effects. I'd recommend looking into that.
Here's the best version I've been able to find:
http://www.lef.org/newshop/items/item00407.html
Absorption is an issue but this version claims to be very bio available. Nice thing is that it can't hurt, has no side effects...
You might also check into the budwig diet....
Hope something helps.