There has been an ongoing debate whether or not there is an existing issue of ageism in terms of receiving medical care especially for cancer cases. Ageism by definition is age discrimination. If an elderly person is denied of anything just because they belong to a certain age group, particularly that of the elderly group, he or she is a victim of ageism. It can be in forms of work, service and even healthcare.
But how would you know if you were denied of something important for your wellness just because you’re old or if it was really for your welfare? Many healthcare providers refuse to give seniors the same kind of treatment options available for other patients of different age. Chemotherapy, the most popular treatment method for cancer, is known to be skipped altogether in cases when a person developed cancer at a very late age, instead, seniors were only given symptomatic treatments to alleviate pain, if there’s any. Unlike in younger adult’s case, aggressive treatments to kill cancer cells and boost immune system were given, a senior is most likely to receive milder therapy, mostly to make life easier but seldom a cure to the disease itself. Some seniors consider this as unfair but others just give up and surrender to their doctor’s verdict. Others believe that there, indeed, is ageism and it is costing us our seniors’ lives.
The usual reasons why doctors prefer not to give seniors anymore aggressive treatments are their state of health, i.e if their body is already laden with one hundred and one illnesses and diseases that might react defiantly upon treatment, and if the cons outweigh the pros significantly. As health care provider, doctors are very cautious of their methods to prevent further discomfort of the patient. Unfortunately for others who have the means to pay for treatments and the will power to live, they, too, were denied of these treatments no matter what they felt or believed. Other groups who see it the other way think that doctors are not giving their elderly patients with much of a choice.
The problem is, almost 50% of cancer victims belong to the senior group, age ranging from 65 and above hence it only goes without saying that almost half of our cancer suffering population is not really getting proper care—or cure. It was also found out that only a handful of these seniors were encouraged by their doctors to proceed with chemo treatments and fortunately they did well under these treatments. As to how these doctors pick their candidates is beyond anyone. For me, I think it depends on the doctor’s preferences and how well he knows his patient. If you think you are not getting enough care from your current doctor and by all means, go find another one!