Ethical Challenges in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

This book explores the problems and ethical challenges in daily oncological practice,such as the benefits and risks of prevention programs,the right to know and not to know,clinical trials with cancer patients,quality assurance for surgery,radiotherapy,and medication,and the psychological challenge of cancer treatment. It incorporates legal,ethnographic,historical,and literary perspectives into ethical considerations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate realm of oncological practice, presenting a detailed exploration of the myriad problems and ethical challenges that arise on a daily basis. In western industrialized nations, cancer remains a formidable adversary, claiming the lives of approximately 25 percent of the population. Despite remarkable advancements in basic science and specific areas of clinical care, the diagnosis of cancer continues to evoke a profound sense of dread and remains a potential death sentence, even in the twenty-first century. This complex situation presents a multitude of ethical dilemmas, including the evaluation of the benefits and risks of preventive programs, the right to access information and the choice to remain ignorant, the ethical implications of clinical trials involving cancer patients, and the assurance of quality in surgery, radiotherapy, and medication. Moreover, cancer treatment extends beyond the physical realm, encompassing psychological challenges for patients, physicians, and caregivers alike. The issues of adequate pain management, compassionate palliative care, treatment limitations, and the ethical considerations surrounding assisted suicide at the end of life demand careful attention. To adequately address the multifaceted nature of these issues, the book incorporates a diverse range of perspectives, including legal, ethnographic, historical, and literary insights, thus providing a comprehensive framework for ethical considerations in oncological practice.

Weight: 468g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030637514
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021