Shed Those Fears of Cancer Treatment

Shed Those Fears of Cancer Treatment

​By Richard P. Holm, MD
 
Mrs. B came into the emergency room one night, years ago, with some stress related issue. After taking her history, I began to suspect there was something else bothering her. As I was beginning her physical exam she blurted out, “I know there is a breast mass but you’re not going to send me to any breast cancer doctor!” She had already decided to avoid standard treatment and her next comment explained why, “My aunt suffered because of awful unnecessary surgery and chemotherapy,” she said. I sensed there was no changing her mind and that meant trouble for my patient.
 
The story evolved as my patient’s breast cancer grew and eroded through her skin to become a weeping and tender sore. She soon sought out unconventional treatment by a non-physician from a neighboring town with an internet degree of some kind who promised to help her. The treatment involved a curious machine with flashing lights and an unusual noise which apparently indicated which group of herbal supplements the patient needed to buy in order to cure the cancer “naturally.”  
 
More women are diagnosed with breast cancer than any other malignancy, except for skin cancer. If the breast cancer hasn’t spread outside of breast tissue, then, with treatment, the five-year survival is about 99 percent. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes just outside the breast, then, with treatment, the five-year survival is about 90 percent. Even if the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, which happens only in about six percent of the cases, then, with treatment, more than 25 percent are still alive after five years. Since 1989, the number of people who die from breast cancer has been steadily decreasing which is the direct result of improved methods for breast cancer screening, detection and treatment.
 
My patient died less than a year from our meeting in the emergency room. I still regret not convincing her to get help from a science-based breast cancer physician. She may have lived years longer and in more comfort. Many people are now being saved who were previously lost to all types of cancers. Even when lifesaving is not possible, current cancer treatment can at least improve the quality of the time that remains.  
 
Bottom line: The fear of death and the fear of suffering keep some people from seeking medical help. Please shed those fears and seek science-based help.
 
Richard P. Holm, MD is founder of The Prairie Doc® and author of “Life’s Final Season, A Guide for Aging and Dying with Grace” available on Amazon. For free and easy access to the entire Prairie Doc® library, visit www.prairiedoc.org and follow Prairie Doc® on Facebook featuring On Call with the Prairie Doc® a medical Q&A show streaming on Facebook and broadcast on SDPB most Thursdays at 7 p.m. central.