Alzheimers and Cancer treatment

[rkagda]

My aunt has Alzheimers disease. She is in the moderate to severe stage. She was diagnosed with breast cancer several months ago. After several chemotherapy treatments, the doctor believes the tumor is attached to something in the chest and that it can’t be operated on. He says the next step would be intensive radiation therapy along with more chemo.

Since she is already progressing to the severe stage of Alzheimers, would it be immoral to stop treatment for the cancer?

I want to make sure that everyone knows I’m not asking for medical advice. Our family has just been struggling to figure out what to do morally since the Alzheimers seems to be progressing quickly and my aunt doesn’t even understand what is going on and forgets that she has cancer.

Please pray for my family.

Thank you

 

[rpp]

First let me say that you and your family are in my prayers. This is a difficult time for you. May God grant you His peace.

The USCCB recently came out with a statement that said health care is a basic human right, thus we cannot deny a person health care.

However, we are not required to seek unreasonable, painful, invasive or vain treatments. One does not have to draw out suffering just to preserve life. A person can choose whether to endure painful treatment or to decline it knowing that death would be certain. We cannot do anything to hasten death.

In your case, it sounds like you or another family member are making the medical decisions for your aunt. Radiation therepy is extremely painful. Chemotherapy is hideous. You aunt already has a very serious illness aside from her cancer. I believe the Church teaches that either the decision to treat the cancer aggressively, or do stop cancer treatments and make your aunt as comfortable possible until she expires would both be morally permissible.

I understand the difficulty of this decision. My father passed away about 20 months ago and I had to make the final medical decisions for him. At that time, I studied this and spoke with a couple of priests and my spiritual director. Eventually, I had to decide not to put my father on a respirator. He died the next day.

I also understand a bit about what cancer treatment entails. Shortly after my father died, my younger brother was diagnosed with stage IV lymphoma that had spread to all his lymph nodes and metastasized to his spleen, hip, femur, entire rib cage and spine. He had to go through four rounds of chemo and two rounds of whole body radiation. The treatment itself nearly killed him, but he beat the odds and is now cancer-free. I took care of him for a brief time, He has made the decision that if his cancer recurs, he will not seek treatment. I believe his decision is also morally permissible.

 

[pontoon]

My mom also has Alzheimers she is 87. I am her 24 hour care. She has very little short term memory and has seizures. She never remembers anything about her seizures, which is a blessing, and does not recall any pain. I feel my job is to keep her happy and safe. You have tough choices I will remember you and your mother in my prayers. God Bless

 

[aicirt]

My Mom,93, has Alzheimer’s. We take care of her. She sleeps most of the time. Also has conjestive heart failure.

If she had cancer, I’d opt for pain medicine and no treatment.

Your aunt is eligible for Hospice. They’ll give wonderful support to the family too. I’d check into it ASAP.

 

[rkagda]

Thank you to everyone who responded to my question. It comforts me to know that others have had similar experiences and decisions to make.

Your answers have helped me to go back to my family and have a discussion about the next step to take. We have an appointment with my aunt’s doctor today to discuss it as well.

Thank you for all of your prayers. This website is a beautiful example of how we are all part of the body of Christ and help each other on our journey to eternal happiness. God bless you all!