Yes, they may have cancer but it's a very slow growing type and doesn't need
heroic surgery. Over the past few years, studies have identified these potential harms of breast screening.
But the
heroic surgery performed on Barbaro raises them very sharply.
In other words pain inflicted early, should hurt less than
heroic surgery later.
The Ethics and Economics of
Heroic Surgery, Peter Ratiu and Peter Singer, Mar-Apr, 47-48
"Most kids with a unilateral malformation do great, and although surgery may improve appearance and function, there is rarely an indication for
heroic surgery" she said.
A BUDGIES are prone to tumours and are very poor candidates for
heroic surgery. If it isn't troubling him, it's best left alone.
Initially this may manifest itself only under circumstances of extreme stress and be reflected in an increased likelihood of death following major events such as severe trauma, overwhelming sepsis or
heroic surgery. As adaptability fails even more with progressive ageing, minor events -- such as less severe injury, relatively trivial infections or injudicious use of drugs -- may precipitate catastrophic functional failure.
To the editor: Peter Ratiu and Peter Singer's article ("The Ethics and Economics of
Heroic Surgery," HCR, March-April 2001) raises many intriguing topics.