Would People Really Refuse Life Saving Treatments?
A road can be a symbol of life’s journey. At times we have two directions to choose from. Which is the right path to take? Decisions about medical treatment are one of those all important forks in the road that can be difficult to ascertain the right choice.
I was astounded when I read the article about African American women who don’t get certain life saving treatments for breast cancer. A recent study found that one out of every four of these women refused potentially beneficial treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation in late stage breast cancer.
Surprisingly the researchers were unable to pinpoint a reason for the high declination rate for these treatments. They say that more research is needed to identify the cause, but in the meantime, sites like ours can help get the word out there to women suffering through the emotional trauma of late stage cancer.
So what can be done to reverse these troubling numbers. Patient education is the number one priority for these women. It is vital that specialists address all questions patients have, hoping to change their minds and agree to treatment. But as the saying goes, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make her drink.” Doctors can educate the women, answer their questions, and advise on treatment options, but unfortunately they can’t guarantee patients will take the bait.
