in the US
2007-07-14 12:33:17 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
yes, I know about the dying part -- I meant do the doctors refuse to treat you any more or what
2007-07-14 12:48:23 · update #1
Anywhere in the world Oncology doctors willingly treat all the cancer patients. They all mostly practice medicine or surgery etc., for the cause of treating and curing the disease. They never refuse.
If you have Cancer and if you do not want to get treated, this attitude is not correct. You should try all possible and approved methods for treatment and the patients should not suffer. The should be he motto as CANCER IS STILL AN ENIGMA-
2007-07-19 20:49:25 · answer #1 · answered by Jayaraman 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Doctors are familiar with the idea that the patient has the right to refuse treatment. They should be able to treat you and support you to whatever extent you wish. For example, you may refuse surgery, but want blood transfusions if you are becoming anemic, pain control medications, etc. They may even agree with ou that your decision is a reasonable one, depending on what your situation is.
At some point, you may want to join a hospice program. They are very helpful to people who are facing terminal illness and not interested in further treatment.
Good luck to you during this difficult time.
2007-07-14 20:16:56 · answer #2 · answered by SLC Mom 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the US, all patients have the right to refuse any and all treatment unless a judge orders that right to be suspended due to incapacity or incompetence.
You need to QUICKLY get a living will and advance directive filled out; the hospital that you go to has a social worker whose job is to help you with this.
You need to specify on these documents what you want..."withhold tube feedings" is common, "provide palliative care and hydration to maintain my physical comfort" is also common. Your nurses will also appreciate "continued use of anxiolytic medications as required by my condition".
You may also wish to select a trusted friend or family member, or an attorney, as a health care surrogate, who will make decisions for you when you can no longer communicate your wishes.
2007-07-21 21:41:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obviously, you will die... unless your immune system spontaneously recognizes it as a threat and attacks it (which is very rare due to a tumor or malignancy simply being a mutation of your own cell and DNA). If you do decide to refuse treatment, it is up to the doctor whether he/she will continue to assist in your health care. Your best bet is to ask said doctor, and see if he/she would continue to treat you. Doctors are allowed to refuse treatment to any patient solely based on their morals and beliefs.
Once the disease becomes terminal, you would probably go into hospice care where they will try to make you as comfortable as possible. If you chose to not receive an pain management medication, your life will be hell, but they won't give it to you, or they will discharge you. There again it is all based on administrative policy.
If you have health insurance, they may drop you, due to high cost in the latter days of your life. Health insurance companies do have a ceiling as to how much they are obligated to pay on your behalf. Many times an insurance company has refused to pay for the chemotherapy/radiation for cancer patients... they refused to pay for me.
2007-07-15 01:52:15 · answer #4 · answered by christina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your decision to not seek treatment is your own. A doctor may find it hard to accept, but s/he should honor it.
If your doctor truly cares about you, s/he doctor should still treat you for other illnesses or conditions that may arise.
In the majority of cases, cancer does not get better and will only keep growing until it kills the host.
2007-07-14 20:02:19 · answer #5 · answered by dwp_hornblower 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That would be like sucide too me. I went through breast cancer treatment & I am now free of it for a yr. I feel very well. There was now other choice for me. The treatment was tough but I found the strength to get through it. I chose to put my trust in tthe knowledge of the Drs. & I am glad I did. So is my family.Think long & hard about making such a discision.
2007-07-20 14:56:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are allowed to refuse treatment, but if you wish to have treatment later, then you can recieve it. Also alternatives should be offered as well. It's the law in medicine for doctors and nurses. At least it is in Australia. But I assume it's the same in the USA.
2007-07-15 02:38:50 · answer #7 · answered by Kelly H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have cancer and it is severe enough you may die. Depending on where it is located I would suggest treatment becasue it works. However people opt not to have treatment everyday and unfortanatley more die than survive......... If you so not want advice form a Medical Doctor I suggest you seek advice from a doctor of osteopathy becasue they will help you seek natural ways to cure it and if they see that that is not working they will treat you for cancer using modern treatment but they will monitor your progress and they are board certified medical doctors who are very worthy of their degree I hope this helps......
2007-07-14 19:44:48 · answer #8 · answered by bigchadmark 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that since it is MD's job to treat people they will not like it when you decline treatment. I believe if you are making an educated decision however, and know the statistics of your particular stage and prognosis, it could be a wise decision to deny the expensive and painful treatments that would make final months miserable. It just depends on all the facts.
2007-07-14 20:45:33 · answer #9 · answered by barthebear 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Treatment can not be forced on a patient. It is your option if you don't want treatment. Denying treatment is a patient right. With some people treatment can prolong life or even can bring a patient into remission but in the end, the choice is yours.
2007-07-14 19:39:52 · answer #10 · answered by Debra M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋