Some Oncologists say honest things

Chris Teo, Ph.D.

I like to read articles and books written by medical doctors. Needless to say, sometimes I am amazed, baffled and surprised to learn that some of them are rather forthright, blunt and honest when making comments about their own medical profession – especially when talking about the medical treatments for cancer. I cannot help but wonder why these people say such things. What have these people to gain if what they write is not true? Absolutely nothing.

Perhaps what they say is true then. That is moral integrity. These are honorable people and they know what they are saying. It is wonderful that they dared speak up and shared their thoughts with us. Let me give you three examples of such great men.

Dr. Seymour Brenner, radiologist, Brooklyn, New York, USA. He said: “The frustration of cancer is that we really don’t know what we are doing ... it is a frustrating thing to go to school for thirty years, to work for twenty, thirty years and at the age of sixty not know what you’re doing!”

After thirty years of practising radiology Dr. Seymour Brenner concluded: "We’re making very little progress ... Billions of dollars and countless work hours have been expended to achieve something and nothing has been achieved."

Dr. Bernie Siegel, neurosurgeon and teacher at Yale University (quoting from Cancer and Consciousness by Barry Bryant. pg. 31) said: "Too many doctors are depressed because they only see their failures - all you know is that everyone has cancer, everybody dies. And it just wears you out."

Dr. Ang Peng Tiam, medical director of the Parkway Cancer Centre, is Singapore President's Scholar and a leading senior consultant medical oncologist. He is also vice-chairman of the medical sub-committee of the Breast Cancer Foundation. In his hospital's website, he said:

• Oncology is not like other medical specialties where doing well is the norm.
• In oncology, even prolonging a patient's life for three months to a year is considered an achievement.
• Achieving a cure is like striking a jackpot!
• Not all cancers can be cured.
• As doctors, we try our best to cure those who can be cured, to control the disease for those whose lives can be extended, and to comfort those for whom little can be done.

To the above doctors, we salute you for being honest and truthful. Thank you for your most esteemed opinions.

Points to Ponder:

1. Cancer patients wish to known -- Is there a cure for cancer? Is it cure that you want, when you go and see your doctors? Or are you just happy with being able to live only 3 to 12 months longer?
2. Is finding a cure like going to a casino trying to strike a jackpot? Where then is the so-called science in medicine? What is the difference between seeing a medium, who pulls out a stick /card and predicts your luck?
3. If cure is like striking a jackpot – who is the gambler? Oncologists gambling with patients lives and patients are the “gambling chips”?
4. Patients should ask their doctors this question: “Can you cure my cancer?” Before you gamble your life away or your life’s saving away – ask! Know what you are going into before you commit yourself to any invasive procedures.
5. Pateints wonder if going for holistic healing not A BETTER OPTION? Is this non-toxic, non-invasive option not an effective, cheaper and more humane way of managing cancer than the so-called scientific medicine?

I know of many patients who were given 3 or 6 months to live went on to live for many more years without any problem after taking going for alternative or complementary healing.
Sources: EzineArticles