Physician Assisted Suicide Case Study

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The National Cancer Institute recorded an estimated 595,690 deaths that occurred from cancer alone in the United States during 2016. Options of care for a multitude of patients who suffer as their body slowly shut down has not increased. Patients have the right to choose the treatment they believe will be the best option for them when their life is about to come to an end. Patients also have the medical right to choose to continue to suffer through their illness for as long as their bodies will allow them. Yet, they should have the choice to end their life if they so desire because they know in the end they are going to pass away in just a few short months. Even with all the various treatments they may be offered. Physician-assisted suicide is an option patients need legalized to end their suffering when they approach their last days of life on Earth.
Starting back in 1994 physician-assisted suicide first became legal in the United States in the state of Oregon. Physician-assisted suicide also known as euthanasia, which is …show more content…

They consult with their family and friends to decide what the best route of action is. For instance, Jeff Sutherland, a physician, who is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) later in his career choose to live even with his terminal illness that will eventually lead to death. Nevertheless, “Should my circumstances change, I find comfort the fact I can now choose a gentle and humane death surrounded by loved ones on my own terms”(Sutherland 115). Often most terminally ill patients do not even choose physician-assisted suicide. According to the American Medical Association, “1 in 6 terminally ill patients talks with their families, 1 in 50 talks with their physician, and only 1 in 500 directly accesses this option.” Physician-assisted suicide for the most part is a way a patient can feel at ease. Knowing they do not have to endure suffering at the end of their

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