Jan 02 2015 : The Times of India (Delhi)

Cancer best way to die: Ex-editor of med journal

Kounteya Sinha

London:





The former editor of the world's best known medical journal -The British Medical Journal (BMJ) -has caused a storm by saying that cancer is the best way to die. Richard Smith says “stay away from overambitious oncologists, and let's stop wasting billions trying to cure cancer, potentially leaving us to die a more horrible death“.He added “death from cancer is the best. You can say goodbye, reflect on your life, leave last messages, perhaps visit special places for a last time, listen to favourite pieces of music, read loved poems, and prepare, according to your beliefs, to meet your maker or enjoy eternal oblivion“. “This is, I recognise, a romantic view of dying, but it is achievable with love, morphine, and whisky . But stay away from overambitious oncologists, and let's stop wasting billions trying to cure cancer, potentially leaving us to die a much more horrible death,“ he added. Richard was the editor of BMJ till 2004 and is now chairman of the board of directors of medical smartphone app Patients Know Best. He said that most people wish for a sudden death, “but it may be very tough on those around you, particularly if you leave an important relationship wounded and unhealed.