No comfort from chemo

Dear Reader,

How could so many patients be so misinformed?

In a new study, researchers surveyed patients with advanced cancers that had spread to other locations.
Doctors considered each of these patients terminal.

And yet, nearly three out of four patients believed their chemo regimen would probably cure them.

A WebMD report about this study shows how easy it is to mislead.

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No comfort from chemo
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The WebMD article states that in terminal cancer patients, "chemotherapy can alleviate pain and extend
life by weeks or even months."

Chemo can alleviate pain? Seriously. That's a stretch!

In some cases, chemo shrinks tumors. That might relieve pain. But there's another, more common source
of cancer pain relief. Painkillers.

Dr. Spreen tells me that virtually all advanced cancers cause pain. That's why doctors almost always give
powerful painkillers in these cases.

Meanwhile, chemo invariably degrades quality of life. Pain usually plays a large role in that process.

WebMD's second claim is also off the mark. Yes, some patients may get a few more weeks or months.
But the opposite is true in many cases.

Previously, I told you about a review of 600 cases in which cancer patients died within 30 days of receiving
chemo. In 40% of these cases, patients experienced "significant poisoning." Treatment actually accelerated
or caused about one-in-four deaths.

And finally, some chemo drugs won't work at all.

A few years ago, an oncologist examined the medical records of almost 8,000 cancer patients. In cases
where patients received chemo in the final six months of life, ONE-THIRD had cancers that are unresponsive
to chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is enormously complicated. Every cancer is different. Every chemo regimen is different.
There are many ways misconceptions can creep in.

So if you ever have to discuss chemo options with a doctor, go on high alert. That might be difficult if you're
sick. So bring someone with you. Record the conversation if you can. Ask as many questions as you can
think of. Take notes. And don't be afraid to call your doctor with follow up questions.

Likewise, if a friend or family member gets a cancer diagnosis, offer to go along for the doctor's meeting.
In fact, insist that they don't go alone.

The more you know, the better you'll be able to protect yourself (or a loved one) from misconceptions.


From: "HSI - Jenny Thompson" <[e-mail]>