Jerry,
I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, please accept my deepest condolences.
I do a lot of research in natural health and nutrition and practice good nutrition and health practices in my everyday life. I believe that most of society's health problems (obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, high health care costs, etc.) is caused by the standard american diet (SAD) and unhealthy and sometimes downright toxic ingredients found almost everywhere.
The health care system is more geared toward detecting, treating and managing disease after it occurs. It does not really promote prevention or good nutrition in any substantial way. Keeping a proper pH balance in your diet, avoiding known carcinogens, eating foods shown to have anti-cancer benefits and not being deficient or in excess in any nutrient is a great way to achieve optimal health and avoid diseases such as cancer. However, people often turn to natural health and alternative medicine too late: after cancer has developed, after it has spread or after chemo and radiation has destroyed their immune system (immune system being the only chance of a natural recovery). In this late stage of the disease, I believe alternative medicine cannot reverse the disease or help much.
I agree with you that the health care system and FDA needs reform. However, I'm sure that your family, doctors, and you did everything in your power to help your mother. It may have simply been too late to save her.
Again, I sympathize with your loss.