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Should mouth cancer be treated free by NHS if its self-inflicted?

Zozo9795

Hey,

i need all opinions on this issue , im doing an EPQ on mouth cancer and would appreciate all views on this. Thanks

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 1

Odd socks

I think it should, if someone broke their leg skiing they wouldn't be refused treatment and told that its their own fault for skiing when they knew the risks.

The nhs should be for everyone.

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Reply 2

Birkenhead

By this logic we could stop treatment for many things. Anyone who eats red meat, or drinks, or has sugar with their coffee, will be ineligible for treatment of bowel cancer, liver disease and diabetes respectively, since those activities all increase the risks, which have been well-publicised. The risks of smoking and the probability of this disease being caused by smoking is one thing - what about someone who cuts themselves, where it is certain they caused their own harm, should we refuse them treatment on that basis?

Your distaste for smoking especially is not a sound basis upon which to decide that we should withold treatment of mouth cancer to smokers because they elevated their risk of contracting the disease by smoking. Barbaric idea.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 3

Everglow

The whole point of the NHS is to provide healthcare for everyone. The moment you start placing restrictions on who can and can't access the health services, you're violating the core principle of the NHS. Knowing whether the cancer was self-inflicted or not is another contentious matter which could be debated.

So, in short, yes, mouth cancer patients should be treated for free - regardless of whether we think it was self-inflicted or not.

Reply 4

Spetznaaz

Well considering the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer is the HPV, that would mean anyone who's sucked a dink or eaten vag should have to pay for their treatment if they happen to acquire it. Same could be said for any cancers caused by lifestyle choices, but obviously, that's not right.