May a Catholic refuse medical treatment?

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bookworm.RLB

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What does the Catholic Church teach about refusing medical treatment without trying it at all? I know that it is OK, for example, when a cancer patient decides to stop chemo or radiation treatments when they are simply prolonging the inevitable. But my father has recently been diagnosed with malignant melanoma and he had said that he doesn’t want any chemo or radiation treatment and to just let it happen. Is this the same as suicide? I’m hearing from some that it is and from others that it’s not, because there is no guarantee that the treatments will help. Which is right?

Thank you for your help
 
Dear b,

The Catholic Church teaches that one is not obliged to use extraordinary means to prolong one life. (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2278) Ordinary means would be food, water and oxygen. So your father is not obliged to accept chemo therapy or radiation.
He and your family are in our prayers.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.
 
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