Ethical Issues
There are a number of recurring ethical questions and dilemmas in oncological practice. These include:
- What information to give the patient regarding disease extent/progression/prognosis.
- Entry into clinical trials, especially in the face of terminal illness.
- Withdrawal of active treatment.
- "Do Not Resuscitate" orders and other end of life issues.
These issues are closely related to the patients' personality, religion, culture, and family life. Though these issues are complex and emotional, the answers are often achieved by the patient seeking counsel from trusted personal friends and advisors. It requires a degree of sensitivity and very good communication on the part of the oncology team to address these problems properly.
Read more about this topic: Oncology
Famous quotes containing the words ethical and/or issues:
“My belief is that no being and no society composed of human beings ever did, or ever will, come to much unless their conduct was governed and guided by the love of some ethical ideal.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)
“Cynicism formulates issues clearly, but only to dismiss them.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)