Chemotherapy: Ethical or Immoral

Cancer. It is considered to be one of top reasons for death in the world. It has claimed 5 million U.S lives already and around 500,000 more each year. Although many people have heard of the term cancer, a lot lack the knowledge of how it is caused and what cancer actually is. Cancer is the uncontrolled division of cells. Cells have a tendency to divide when they become larger, however, this division is regulated by signals from neighboring cells. Cells communicate with each other using chemical signals from proteins called cyclins. These signals are meant to stop the cell from over dividing, but when the cells stop communicating because of mutations in their genes, they divide uncontrollably causing tumors. This disease is labeled cancer. Cancer can come in many forms, which ranges from the different parts of the body. A few common cancers are listed below.

• Breast Cancer- Although it mainly affects women, Breast Cancer can also affect men. It is caused when there is uncontrolled growth of cells in the breast region. This, in turn, causes a malignant tumor that can spread through the body and eventually cause death if not dealt with. Survival rates based on the stage the patient is on when diagnosed is on the right. One in eight women are affected.

• Lung Cancer- This is one of the most common cancers. It commonly occurs in smoker because of all the chemicals they are inhaling. When uncontrolled cell division causes tumors in the lungs, the lungs are unable to provide an adequate amount of oxygen to the bloodstream. Tumors, malignant ones, can also spread through body, severely weakening immune system. This makes your body unable to cope with the cancerous cells, resulting in death.

• Leukemia – This is cancer of the blood cells. Symptoms can include high fevers, swollen lymph nodes, and easy bruising and bleeding. In extreme cases, death can also occur. Death usually occurs when patients are susceptible to infection due to low immune system from chemotherapy.

These are just three of the hundred plus cancers present. Although cancer is diagnosed frequently around the world, a general cure is yet to be found; however, the emergence of chemotherapy is the next closest thing. Commonly referred to as “chemo”, chemotherapy provides a hope of life for people suffering cancer. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs, surgery and radiation to kill cancer cells. This method is not only applicable to cancer but is most frequently used to treat cancer. Even though chemotherapy provides a way to finally treat cancer, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the topic and whether it is ethical to put someone through that much pain. Treatment can often be very painful and time consuming. Times can vary with the type of cancer but usually chemo takes 4 to 6 months. Symptoms of chemo include pain, fatigue diarrhea, nervous system effects, weakening of the immune system and many more. When considering all these factors we think, “Is it really worth it to put someone through all that pain?” Well, the answer is an ongoing debate but since chemo is one of the best ways to treat cancer, it is kept. Chemo’s advantages fiercely outweigh its disadvantages and symptoms. 3 main advantages are listed below.

1. Shrink Tumors- The treatment can be used to kill the preexisting cells that make up the tumors. This can have a tremendous impact on the health of the patient as it reduces pain and pressure exerted on the body. It can also help the patient live longer.

2. Managing Cancer- Since the cancerous cells grow at such a quick rate they must be killed so they don’t spread to other parts of the body. Chemo kills the cells so they don’t take over other parts of the body and cause harm to tissues. Can also relieve some symptoms of cancer.

3. Cure Cancer- In extreme cases, chemo can even kill all the cancer cells, therefore curing cancer. This is one of the few methods that are used to cure cancer somewhat effectively.

Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages (symptoms) of cancer, you can decide whether chemotherapy is ethical or not ethical. This issue is heavily influenced by whether a person has gone through chemo and a person who hasn’t so that should also be taken into consideration. In general, chemo has proved to be an effective method to treating cancer so thoughts on banning it should be heavily considered.

Works Cited

http://www.livestrong.com/article/125084-chemotherapy-benefits/

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#safe=strict&q=what+is+chemotherapy+used+for

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-what-is-breast-cancer

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/lung-cancer

http://www.medicinenet.com/leukemia/article.htm

http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/cell-division-and-cancer-14046590

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=how%20many%20people%20are%20diagnosed%20with%20cancer

https://www.google.com/search?q=chemotherapy&safe=strict&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=638&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiglqeFgqLPAhWEOj4KHY8UAI8Q_AUIBygC#imgrc=HBZuSMhDws150M%3A