Page 9 - stylianidou-astheneis

ABSTRACT

Cancer is a complex phenomenon and multifactorial disease, which is characterized by
uncontrolled cellular proliferation and describes a group of diseases or disorders in the

function of the human body. This means that it must be prevented before this spreading.
The name "cancer" is due to Hippocrates, which means that this disease has been known

since the antiquity. Many factors can cause cancer (malnutrition, lack of exercise,

alcohol, obesity, heredity, etc.). Cancer can also hurt people of all ages and it can appear
in different areas of the human body (lung, breast, prostate, intestine, etc.). The most

basic methods of cancer treatment’ s are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and
immunotherapy. The treatment of the oncological patients of the terminal stage causes

many dilemmas such as: a) Medical: They are caused by chronic pain and symptoms

that afflict the patient mentally and physically. They are also related to informing the
patient about his / her illness, b) Legal: They are concerned with ensuring the patient's

right to decide for himself / herself about the further development of his / her treatment,
c) Ethical: They are related to the patient's right to don’t suffer but to maintain his/her

dignity at the last stage of his life. The Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church have
expressed their own positions about this theme.

Keywords: Cancer, Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, Immunotherapy,
Medical, Legal, Ethical dilemmas, Terminal stage patient – dignity, chronic pain –

treatment

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