ETHICS.....ever present in medicine

www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/ethics-consult/95992

QUICK question.....is this right or wrong?

WOW, this is me, sort of. I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2010 which later spread to a lymph node and it became stage 4. My whole family knew the diagnosis and I never thought about keeping it a secret. However, a few years later after I had successfully dodged that cancer bullet, I was asked by my oncologist whether I wanted to get a genetic test since i also had kidney cancer and I said yes. Turns out I have Lynch disease which is a genetic gene mutation that makes my chances of getting multiple cancers much higher than average.

I informed my wife but was hesitant to tell my kids that they may carry this gene because I didn't want them to have that worry hanging over their heads all their lives. I decided to tell them and to let them make the decision to get tested so they would know. All three kids decided to wait until they were in their 30's since the doctors said it was more likely to effect them after 40. They have the benefit of my records and the chemo cocktail that finally took it out, plus the benefit of time and medical advancements.

Does the doctor have an obligation to tell relatives even when the patient wants it to be kept secret? I say no. I think we are all entitled to our medical privacy and doctors shouldn't take it upon themselves to defy a patient's wishes, especially if there is no guarantee that the offspring will be effected. I think a lot of today's really fragile and weak young people could live in fear and not live a mentally healthy life. They already have 24/7 COVID fear porn to deal with so maybe some are better off being left uninformed.

Rick,
God bless. I am glad to hear that you have had a successful outcome.
This isn't something that can be decided by a vote. Each individual has to evaluate one's situation. Genetic markers gives one a percentage not a definitive prognosis. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genetic markers of breast cancer for example. A Hollywood actress chose to undergo bilateral mastectomies
because of the presence of the BRCA1 marker. A personal decision.
A physician's first obligation is to his patient and if the patient does not want his medical records revealed then so be it.

I am oh so happy u r STILL here to be a worthy adversary.

JMO....your presence on this orb means your MISSION (PURPOSE) has yet to be accomplished.....cheers
to the New Year and MORE "discussions".

I took the survey and more than 3/4 of respondents (83%) voted the same as U and Ramage.