Aging U.S. Faces Crisis in Cancer Care

 “Aging U.S. Faces Crisis in Cancer Care, Report Says”

– Austin American Statesman (A4), 9-11-13

 

 

 

 

2.      Category: Health/Medical

3.      Level: National

4.      Article is concerning an issue that both individuals and families are facing

5.      This article is important to both individuals and families because of how many people are affected by this disease each year. With cancer being the second leading cause of death in the United States, according to the CDC in 2010, it is important for the individuals affected by this disease to get the proper treatment. Due to the lack of resources, though, these patients are getting the treatment they absolutely need.

6.      My views on this issue are quite extensive so I will try to keep this brief. The article discusses the “daunting barriers of achieving high-quality care” which includes challenges within the healthcare system as well as families’ ignorance to the proper treatment needed. The U.S. obviously has a huge problem with their healthcare system to begin with, let alone with cancer treatment. It is extremely disheartening to hear about new innovative treatments to help with the cure for cancer, yet lives are still continually lost to this fatal disease. Before cancer treatment will be effective across the boards, this country has to fix their healthcare plan. This is also an issue primarily among how each oncologist is presenting treatment. Although there simply cannot be a standardized treatment for this disease (because not one cancer is genetically the same), the procedures and steps to treating it should be the same no matter where you go. It is noted within the article that the decisions that each patient makes on their cancer treatment isn’t based on good evidence, that patients do not fully understand their choices and what to expect when they begin treatment. The patients need to be better informed when presented with cancer treatment options, and this starts with their oncologist. The average American’s reading level is only at the 8th grade level. Do you really believe they COMPLETLEY understand the entire medical lingo that has been thrown in their face while still trying to digest the fact that they have a terminal illness? I pray that I see the day where this disease is considered “treatable”, but let’s be honest, between our government’s healthcare policies and the barrier between physician and patient, that prayer isn’t looking promising.