Most doctors and providers just want to help, but could this desire to help with the symptoms be unproductive? In the media, a study presented in June at the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago suggested that 75%, that is 3 out of 4 cancer patients receive overly aggressive therapy.
The study evaluated 28,000 cancer patients who died between 2007 and 2014. Their end-of-life treatments included chemotherapy, hospitalizations and invasive therapy, which did not lengthen or improve their life. Only a handful received care, which made their time more meaningful.
Dr. McDougall in his latest newsletter wrote about the overuse of stents and bypass procedures in heart patients. Then there is the overuse of antibiotics and medications in general.
A recent article by Andrew Gelter of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns of the dangers of dietary supplements, which may do more harm than good. Patients in too many instances just want a quick fix when less is actually more. Too many patients turn to aggressive treatments because they feel like something needs to be done.
Can healthcare be overly aggressive? The answer is yes. Is healthcare too aggressive? The evidence says it is. What can a healthcare consumer do to protect himself or herself? Read, ask questions, find trusted sources of information, and do your best to take care of your body. Identify stressors in life. These stressors may be any input that works against our creator’s original design. Find techniques to minimize and balance the stress. Also ask the Ultimate Physician for guidance and learn what God has in store.
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