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Petition Tag - cancer
1. Where the Green Bud Grows: Tommy Chong for Nobel Peace Prize 
For 40 years Cheech and Chong have entertained the world with their comedy regarding Marijuana. From what started out by a controlling governments around the world claiming that a naturally grown plant they claimed led to hard drugs has now been downgraded and then upgraded as a medicinal plant which studies from the 1800's have proven that it has usage for Depression, Sleep Disorders, Asthma, Gluacoma, and today Cancer.
Brennan is 8 years old. Her mother has been trying to gain custody back for her daughter against Brennan's father whom Brennan doesn't want to be around.
Her mother, Kim, has been going through extreme difficulties with getting her daughter back, fighting cancer, and every day battles.
Please help by signing this petition to help show support for this beautiful family.
3. GUT WRENCHING! Tell FDA to Remove Toxin (Carrageenan) from Food
Rates of digestive diseases are rising—ranging from widespread digestive discomfort (“belly bloat,” “spastic colon,” Irritable Bowel Syndrome) to serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases such as ulcerative colitis and colon cancer.
For decades, scientists conducting laboratory animal experiments using the common food additive carrageenan have found higher rates of gastrointestinal inflammation, colitis-like disease, and even colon cancer.
Carrageenan is a convenient and unique food additive for the food industry, and selling carrageenan is a profitable enterprise for a handful of chemical corporations. For decades, these companies have spread misinformation—often, outright lies—about carrageenan’s safety.
Carrageenan can be found in many foods, even foods labeled “natural” and “organic.” It is widely used in dairy products (chocolate milk, whipping cream, ice cream, nonfat sour cream), frozen dinners, dairy alternatives (soy milk, coconut milk, almond milk), prepared poultry and cold cuts, nutritional drinks, and even infant formula.
And who has been more than willing to listen to the corporate scientists rather than to the scientists funded by the National Institutes of Health? That’s right: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In June 2012, the FDA rejected a citizen petition by the nation’s preeminent publicly funded scientist and carrageenan expert, who formally requested that carrageenan be removed from our food supply.
Sign the petition below, and let the FDA know that it’s time to act in the interest of our health and safety. Carrageenan is a dangerous food additive, and should be removed from the list of allowed additives!
The FDA’s shameless catering to corporate interests has to end.
4. Light the White House gold for the month of September to honor pediatric cancer fighters
Cancer is the Number one killer in children in the world! 7(seven) Kids Die everyday due to cancer in The United States alone.
Show the kids diagnosed With these Horrible diseases That they are Not alone!
5. Global Collaboration, Curing Cancer
Many of you may have seen the 'Stand up to Cancer' campaign which was aired on Channel 4 in October 2012, which asked for public donations in order to fund Cancer Research UK. Cancer Research UK are the world's leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through scientific research.
According to Cancer Research UK, they are on the cusp of many cancer treatments, however there is a gap between the discoveries coming out of the lab and the number that they can afford to take forward to develop as new tests and treatments.
To date, the 'Stand up to Cancer' National campaign has raised over £8 million pounds which is fantastic. However, we know it takes about £500 million to to take a drug all the way from the lab to the market; this figure takes into account all of the treatments that didn't make it.
Therefore, I personally feel that a faster way to close this monetary gap between scientific discoveries and bringing those treatment to the patients, was if the world's most profitable corporations all collaborated together and donated a small percentage of their pre-tax earnings to Cancer Research UK.
The more ideas that they can test, the more likely they are to get new treatments to patients faster. And as I say, there are many treatments that are on the cusp of being brought to market.
This may appear to be a large 'ask' of our profitable organisations, however sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective if you have the collective power of many people.
6. Pat and Paula Petition for Free Breast MRIs
This Petition has been put together to highly motivate Governments,Health Departments, Medicare, Medical Practitioners, Insurance companies and Breast Cancer Fund Raising organisations etc. To make Breast MRI Free to all women, in order to detect early Breast Cancers, which will SAVE LIVES and HEALTH COSTS!!
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!!
PLEASE WATCH THE BELOW YOU TUBE VIDEOS AND ADD ANY COMMENTS.
[Video] - http://youtu.be/kzRibETmqfs
[MRI FACTS] - http://www.miavictoria.com.au/news/breast-mri/default.aspx
[Blog] - http://freebreastmri.wordpress.com
7. Save breast cancer surgery at Llandudno
Promises to maintain and enhance the breast cancer surgery at Llandudno by previous health minister Edwina Hart have been broken.
The centre at Llandudno hospital provides an excellent service and cutting surgery will see a reduction in the services available.
Over time, we fear it will lead to the centralisation of local health services away from our community.
8. Stop Withdrawing Funding from Cancer Treatments
21st November 2012
The Australian Federal Government, Department of Health quietly announced the withdrawal of
70% funding for the chemotherapy drug - Docetexal.
Grave concern has been expressed by Health providers, insurers and consumers.
If this funding is withdrawn, this sets a dangerous precedent for any other cancer treatment or vital medical treatment.
We are protesting the withdrawal of this funding and any future funding for cancer treatments and life threatening illness treatments.
Zahra Mansouri, an epileptic prisoner, has been denied access to her medication in prison. Zahra Mansouri, 60, began serving her two-year prison sentence on October 27, 2012.
Zahra Mansouri's physician has warned against conditions that would bring on epileptic seizures for Mansouri, but prison authorities refuse to allow her access to medication provided by her family. Mansouri suffers from serious health problems caused by a recent intestinal operation.
Ms. Mansouri needs to regularly take her medicine and live in a stress-free environment, according to her doctors. Both are being denied her in the Islamic Republic's prison.
Security forces first arrested Zahra Mansouri on June 1, 2011. She spent 90 days in solitary cells inside the Intelligence Ministry's Ward 209 at Evin Prison. During her detention, she underwent surgery due to breast cancer, and immediately after her operation, authorities transferred her back to her solitary cell. She was released on bail on August 19, 2011.
Branch 26 of Tehran Revolutionary Court under Judge Pirabbasi initially sentenced Zahra Mansouri to five years in prison on charges of "acting against national security." Due to Mansouri's ill health, her sentence was reduced to two years in prison and an additional five years' suspended imprisonment.
Zahra Mansouri's brother, Mohammad Ali Mansouri, is a political prison who has been serving a 17-year prison sentence in exile in Rajai Shahr Prison on charges of "relations with groups hostile to the regime". Zahra Mansouri has been exposed to a lot of pressure due to her familial ties.
10. STOP THE CANCER CRIME IN EGYPT
EGYPT CANCER RANK BY TYPE (2010 Stats), AGE-STANDARDIZED DEATH RATE, PER 100,000 POPULATION.
By Rate & (World Rank)
Bladder Cancer 10.25 (1)
Lymphomas 9.59 (6)
Other Neoplasms 6.28 (13)
Breast Cancer 22.36 (26)
Liver Cancer 9.79 (51)
Leukemia 4.21 (71)
These figures, most probably underestimated, speak for themselves.
11. Reinstate Lance Armstrong's Ironman Eligibility
Lance Armstrong began his athletic career as a triathlete winning his first race at the age of 13. At 16, Lance Armstrong became a professional triathlete and became national sprint-course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990 at 18 and 19, respectively.
In 1993 Armstrong focused his attention on cycling and became a decorated cyclist before being diagnosed with stage 3 testicular cancer at the age of 25. The cancer spread to his lungs, abdomen and brain. He had a 20% chance of living. He had surgery removing his diseased testicle and began chemotherapy. He also had brain surgery to remove the tumors on his brain.
After successfully defeating cancer Armstrong went on to win a record 7 consecutive Tour De France titles. With this unrivaled success he mainstreamed cycling in the United States, and used his celebrity and prestige to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for Livestrong and touching an unmeasurable amount of lives in the process.
After retiring from cycling he returned to triathlon in February, 2012 at Ironman 70.3 Panama finishing 2nd overall. He also entered half-Ironman distance races in Texas (7th) and St. Croix (3rd) before breaking through with victories at Ironman 70.3 Florida and Ironman 70.3 Hawaii setting a course record.
In recent weeks his Tour De France titles have been stripped, and he has been banned from cycling and all other sports governed by the US Anti-Doping Agency based on insurmountable evidence that he used performance enhancing drugs during his cycling career. It is yet to be seen whether the titles will go to the second place finishers of those years. Note that the 2nd and 3rd place finishers of all 7 years that Armstrong won his titles have at one point in their careers been suspended for the use of performance enhancing drugs.
12. Make cancer prevention compulsory in UK education
Butterfly Giving is a charity dedicated to fighting teenage cancer.
We believe that every teenager should be entitled to education in cancer prevention. Currently, 6 teenagers are diagnosed with cancer each and every day in the UK. This needs to stop.
Statistically, 1 in 3 people will be affected by cancer during their life time. By introducing cancer prevention into schools, we are leaving our young people a life time legacy.
If you believe that our young people deserve this fundamental knowledge; prove it. Please sign Butterfly Giving’s petition to make cancer prevention a compulsory part of the curriculum for UK schools.
Will you join the fight against teenage cancer?
Since 1992, when Genetically Modified Organisms were first introduced to Americans, we have seen a tremendous rise in health problems that have been directly linked to GMO consumption.
The list includes, but is not limited to; cancer, autism, digestive disorders, obesity, sterility and miscarriages.
If you are unfamiliar with GMO's and the fact that your family is consuming them without your knowledge, please click on the link I have provided and please sign this petition and then share it with your friends! It may save your children's' lives.
14. Rid Facebook of Offensive pages
Someone has created a page claiming that cancer is funny. Some very sick pictures and comments have been added. Despite being asked Facebook say that it is not illegal and they will not remove it.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Controversial-Humor-Cancer-is-funny-cause-people-die/174140266010061
If you feel as strongly as me then please sign this petition. I for one have decided if Facebook do not remove it I will close my account.
As much as I am disgusted by the people who created the site I am more disgusted at FB for refusing to act on it.
15. Stop the Newman Government from dismantling Breastscreen Queensland
The Newman Government have delivered a shock to Queenslanders by announcing that the centralised functions of mobile breastscreen vans and relief radiographers to be devloved to regions under the new structure.
Breastscreen Queensland have been operating for over 20 years and in many opinions have saved thousands of lives through their support and services given to thousands of women all over this great state.
16. Keep Our Chemo Clinic Here in Orillia
At the end of June, 2012 the Board of Directors and CEO were directed to enact budgetary cuts, some of which are to the detriment of not only the community, but the patients as well.
Of particular concern is the plans to move the chemotherapy clinic from Orillia to Barrie, which would cause most of the cancer patients in Orillia and surrounding area such as Muskoka and some areas of Haliburton/Kawartha Lakes undue hardships, unnecessary stress, drastically increased travel times, and general detriment to the health, morale and well being of all the cancer patients, their friends and family, caregivers, concerned citizens, tax payers, donators and the community in general.
We are requesting that the chemotherapy clinic be kept active in Orillia as it presently is.
17. Raise public and governement awareness of Brain Cancer
There are more than 100 different types of brain tumours, depending on which cells within the brain are involved About 300 children are diagnosed with brain tumours every year, and as many as 5% of brain tumours occur as part of an inherited condition.
Unlike other forms of cancer this type is not as prominent in society and is forgotten about yet increasing numbers are being diagnosed & Unlike other organs, it's very difficult to remove parts of the brain without causing massive disruption to the control of body functions.
18. Lower the age for a smear test to 20 years old
I want to get enough signatures for lowering the age to 20 years old to be eligible for a cervical cancer smear test when they notice symptoms or changes. The government and NHS have stated that you have to be 25 to be able to get checked out.
Most teenagers and women under the age of 25 are sexually active which can trigger cervical cancer. According to the screening programme, around 4,500 lives are saved every year through these interventions to prevent cancer developing. It was Jade Goody who gave me inspiration after she had cervical cancer.
Also a 23-year-old girl Mercedes Curnow from Cornwall died of cervical cancer because doctors said she was too young for a smear test, her devastated family have claimed.That is why I am wanting to petition so these deaths of young women can be prevented!
19. Produce more of the childhood cancer drug Methotrexate for our angel's sake
Medication used to treat the most common form of childhood leukemia is in short supply, adding to the largest nationwide shortage of critical lifesaving hospital medications in nearly a decade.
All five pharmaceutical companies that make the injection drug methotrexate, which treats acute lymphoblastic leukemia by slowing the growth of cancer cells, have either slowed and stopped manufacturing of the drug, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The companies have cited high demand or manufacturing delays as reasons for the shortage.
If the shortage continues, physicians and pharmacists fear thousands of children will be left without lifesaving treatment.
20. Prosecution of the EPA and government officials for Ground Zero Air Quality Victims
As of February 2012 there are now 25 New cases of Cancer of NYPD officers who worked at Ground Zero.
Many were told that the air was safe but this was false and if not a flat out lie.
A need for trial to scrutinize who knew what and when they knew it.
Justice for victims and those families who have lost loved ones.
Your action is needed!
“10 Million Preventable Deaths …Lost Every Year
(These people are younger than 75!):
• 6.5 million premature deaths from cancer
• 3.5 million premature deaths from malnutrition
You can be the change you want to see in the world by:
1. Signing the petition to create laws and regulations asking those who raise money to fight cancer to declare what they will give in return in terms of reduction of cancer deaths and costs. Each project should provide an estimate supported by scientific arguments of the percentage of cancer death reduction the project expects to attain, how much the project costs, when the first results can be expected, and the plan to measure results on a sample population.
2. Making a contribution to improve transparency, accountability, and reduce spending that does not yield results by comparing research projects in the fight against cancer from all over the world.
3. Dedicating some of your time to creating awareness by spreading the word about this document and its cause.
This document (available at www.UnitedToEndCancer.org/doc/100.pdf) has the objective to enlighten people on how to make smart informed choices, by:
• Analyzing together (provide any feed-back) the causes of premature deaths
• Identifying the top causes of premature deaths that can be PREVENTED
• Studying how to save the highest number of lives with the lowest cost
For example, data from the World Health Organization (see page 13) rank the mortality rate by cause of death, for the year 2008, from the highest (4.3 million death/year) to lowest (0.06 million death/year) in the following sequence: cancer, heart disease, accidents, respiratory infections, cerebrovascular disease, diarrhea, HIV/AIDS, respiratory disease, digestive diseases, tuberculosis, malaria, diabetes, was and civil conflict and Alzheimer-Parkinson-MS. Analyzing the first four causes of death: cancer, heart, malnutrition and accident, we have irrefutable data showing that early cancer detection can save lives in 90% to 98% of the cases. The money saved with a onetime surgery on a small tumor instead of the expensive prolonged painful chemotherapy treatments, could then be used to save lives from malnutrition which costs only $0.33 per person per day.
It is unlikely to reduce drastically the number of premature deaths from heart disease because its mortality rate has already been cut more than in half over the past 50 years and because we are not aware of new breakthroughs in this field. Similarly there are no known solutions to significantly reduce the number of deaths from accidents unless one invests huge sums of money to improve viability and educate drivers in the world. Using a similar logic, I continue the analysis of how different early cancer diagnosis projects around the world should be compared and the most cost-effective funded in order to save more lives, reduce cancer costs that currently have reached $1.4 trillion/year and use the money saved to reduce malnutrition in the world.
4. Requesting that administrators of your taxpayer dollars and donations provide the following:
a) A public list of those people determined to be the most competent in reducing cancer deaths and costs.
b) A description of the direction cancer research should take and what plan of intervention is needed to accelerate the reduction of cancer deaths and costs.
c) A list of the projects with the highest potential to reduce premature cancer deaths and costs, and how and when they were compared in a public debate to other projects claiming equivalent results.
22. Remove HFCS From Our Foods!
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is known to be a contributor to obesity and a number of serious health ailments, but very few health experts and medical publications ever discuss the highly toxic substance hiding within a large percentage of HFCS — mercury.
Found in a large number of processed foods and sodas, mercury-containing HFCS is toxic in all forms and may be contributing to the rampant disease rates inside the Canada and elsewhere.
23. Cover Cancer: Have alternative treatments for cancer covered by OHIP
Currently the main treatment that recommended for cancer is chemo and radiation. These treatments have an overall success rate of 2% and are extremely costly.
Through information at CoverCancer.com you will find out that there are many alternative treatments available and we need to have these treatments come to Ontario and be covered by OHIP.
24. Recognize all Cancer Sufferers
Every year around the globe, Breast Cancer treatment is celebrated in October. The general public presumes that breast cancer is the most common cancer, but fail to recongnize the many other cancers that people have lost loved ones to.
25. Open Letter in support of Samsung workers and families
This letter is in support of the more than more than 140 electronics workers in Korea who have developed cancer and other serious occupational diseases (more than 1/3 of whom have already died).
We will be presenting it to the Korean Government in order to support the court decision which ruled in favor of compensation for Samsung workers (but the government has filed an appeal in support of Samsung).
This is an important precedent setting case and we need to demonstrate broad global support for this struggle.
26. STOP THE BANNING OF "I <3 BOOBIES" AWARENESS BRACELETS
My baby sister was recently SUSPENDED from Lamar Middle School Lamar School District RE2, for wearing a "I <3 BOOBIES" bracelet, supporting breast cancer awareness among the younger crowd. She was sent home crying because they would not allow her to wear it.
Awareness means a lot to her and my entire family, if it wasn't for my mother being aware and getting checked last minute, her breast cancer would have been over looked and taken her life. She survived it, and we support the awareness in any which way possible.
Please help me petition to stop the banning of these awareness bracelets across the U.S. its unneeded censorship!!!
27. Save the Population: Stand Up To Dangerous Toxic Chemical Bisphosphonates
Stand up to harmful dangerous toxic chemical Bisphosphonates Drugs that dates back to the 1800’s…Osteoporosis Drugs claim to cure or prevent Osteoporosis, cause cancer of the esophagus, stomach, lungs, breast, liver, and varies other cancers.
They also cause broken bones, femur fractures, thigh pain, osteonecrosis of the jaw known, as phossy jaw, ulcers, gastrointestinal problems, bleeding from the rectum, black tarry bloody stools, swelling around the neck, swelling under the eyes, spots on the lungs and tumors in the liver. These are not all the side effect from Actonel Risedronate sodium and all other Bisphosphonates.
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-the-population-stand-up-to-dangerous-toxic-chemic.html
http://standuptoharmfuldangeroustoxicdrugs.blogspot.com/
Fact: Actonel and all other Bisphosphonates cause life threatening side effects, including deaths in Humans and Animals.
Fact: Actonel severe adverse side effects have been known and proven to occur, as early as, eight months in a patient, not to mention all other Bisphosphonates.
Fact: This Osteoporosis drug that breaks bones and cause cancer is combined and link to phosphorous/phosphonic, phosphonic acid and Phosphoric/phosphoric acid, along with formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, ethylene oxide and a host of other dangerous combined combination of drugs.
Like calcium, the bones need phosphorous to stay strong. However, ingesting Phosphonic acid/phosphorous or phosphoric acid in medication over time can cause phosphorous levels to climb too high. This will limit the amount of calcium the bones can absorb, which will lead to weak, breakable bones.
Phosphorus acids/white phosphorus erode the teeth and gums, leaving cavities that fill with bacterial infection producing pus, weakening the jaw bone, sometimes until the jaw abscess, rots and falls out. Surgical removal of the afflicted jaw bones was sometimes necessary to save the patient’s life. Otherwise, death from organ failure would invariably result. It is possible to develop this condition many years after having stopped taking the dangerous bisphosphonates.
White phosphorus is known as yellow phosphorus, red and black phosphorus can be converted to white phosphorus by heating it under pressure. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is not the first, but is known, as the second dangerous severe epidemic of phossy jaw, which was known as the first epidemic of bone cancer in the upper jaw and the jawbone in the 1800's.
The most chronic phosphorus poisoning is osteomyelitis of the jaw bones.
Phossy jaw is a form of bone cancer caused by bisphosphonate. Since the 1800’s the old disease, namely phossy jaw, name has been change. Phossy jaw new name is osteonecrosis of the jaw, which is also caused by bisphosphonate that contains white phosphorous.
Fact: A so called, small trace of Actonel’s dangerous chemical mixture, which contains, White phosphorous/phosphonic, crospovidone/polyvinylpyrrolidone, which contains formaldehyde, Polyethylene glycol, which contains formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, as well as, titanium dioxide, mixed with other small traces of dangerous chemicals and contaminants that cause cancer are excessively, dangerous and a deadly explosive pill for humans and animals to ingested.
NOTED: When humans and animals Ingested one dose of Actonel into their bodies, they have ingested 2 doses of formaldehyde (a chemical that is known to cause cancer), a dose of 1,4dioxane (a contaminants that may cause cancer), a dose of ethylene oxide (cause cancer), a dose of Phosphorous (causes bone cancer, bones to break, phossy jaw and Osteonecrosis of the jaw) along, with more doses of other dangerous toxic chemicals, as well.
Actonel risedronate and all other bisphosphonates must be taken off the market immediately, until more proven studies have been done to make these drugs safe for the consumers.
Like most medications, Actonel and other bisphosphonates, truthful, informing or surprised information will not be given to the consumers, because of the Trade Secret Law, which allow Pharmaceutical Companies to not list all the ingredients, chemicals and contaminants in their medications, on the product labels, even if the medication cause cancer or deaths...
28. More Awareness of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer kills 7,000 Brits every year. It is the fifth biggest cancer killer in the UK and a mere 3% survive more than 18 months after diagnosis... those figures have not changed since 1970! It is time that they did.
Diagnosis is often far too late for most sufferers, yet caught early, it IS treatable.
29. Legalize Marijuana *(THC The cure for cancer)* in CANADA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2LQvRiJKxQ&feature=player_embedded
A number of studies show that THC provides medical benefits for cancer and AIDS patients by increasing appetite and decreasing nausea. It has also been shown to assist some glaucoma patients by reducing pressure within the eye, and is used in the form of cannabis by a number of multiple sclerosis patients, who use it to alleviate neuropathic pain and spasticity. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is currently supporting further research into these uses.
In August 2009 a phase IV clinical trial by the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel was started to investigate the effects of THC on post-traumatic stress disorders. THC and other cannabinoid agonists have been shown to be beneficial both in open label studies, as well as in laboratory experiments with animals to ameliorate post-traumatic stress disorders.
Preliminary research on synthetic THC has been conducted on patients with Tourette syndrome, with results suggesting that it may help in reducing nervous tics and urges by a significant degree. Research on twelve patients showed that Marinol reduced tics with no significant adverse effects. A six-week controlled study on 24 patients showed that the patients taking dronabinol had a significant reduction in tic severity without serious adverse effects. More significant reduction in tic severity was reported with longer treatment. No detrimental effects on cognitive functioning and a trend towards improvement in cognitive functioning were reported during and after treatment.
Dronabinol's usefulness as a treatment for TS cannot be determined until/unless longer controlled studies on larger samples are undertaken. Research on THC has shown that Cannabinoid receptors are responsible for mediated inhibition of dopamine release in the retina. A growing number of people around the world and in Canada are ingesting Hemp Oil, THC, and curing themselves of life threatening Cancers and other diseases in weeks.
30. Liverpool Care Pathway: A National Scandal
The Liverpool Care Pathway, (LCP), is in widespread use in the UK. It is flawed and dangerous. The Daily Telegraph has referred to it as the Death Pathway. There have been calls from victims families to have it banned. The old are particularly vulnerable because many of the so-called signs that are looked for to put a patient on the death pathway, such as frailty and declining mobility, are symptomatic of old-age in any case.
In fact, age is one of the factors also taken into consideration in putting the patient on the LCP! This petition is to call for its withdrawal. Every patient is an individual and deserves that individual consideration of their condition.
As it stands, anyone who falls into the clutches of the proponents of LCP and ticks all the boxes will be given assisted passage into the next world care of the NHS. This will apply particularly to the elderly who are, in any case, already suffering from that most terminal of all conditions - Old-Age! This will apply even contrary to the expressed wishes of patient and family, as this family has discovered.
According to Dr Peter Hargreaves, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, P. H. Millard, Emeritus Professor of Geriatrics University of London and others, in the year 2007-2008 alone, 16.5 per cent of deaths came about after terminal sedation through the, quote, disturbing blanket application of the Liverpool Care Pathway being rolled out across the NHS in the UK.
Currently, an estimated 20,000 patients have their lives taken each year while receiving care under the LCP which also prohibits administering artificial nutrition and hydration to those assessed as dying and states that doing so is ethically indefensible and, in the case of patients lacking capacity, is prohibited under the Mental Health Act.
To my comments that my mothers life was taken at Caterham Dene Hospital where LCP is in use, the NMC responded that I am, quote, at liberty to contact the police.
My mother was robbed of her life through application of the Liverpool Care Pathway. NMC registrants at Caterham Dene Hospital, even by the standards set out by that flawed measure of who is and who is not at Deaths door, were far too zealous in the liberal helpings of morphine they doled out to my mother. The PCT were actually required to set in place new practices at the Dene in regard to analgesics and their use on ward.
Following widespread application of the LCP, relatives of many hospital, nursing home and residential care patients have watched in horror as their loved ones are kept under sedation and food and fluids are withdrawn. Does the NMC therefore assert that, in like fashion, these relatives are, quote, at liberty to contact the police and that this is their advice to them? They make no reply.
The critic of the LCP mentioned above, Peter Millard Emeritus Professor of Geriatrics, warns that there is a risk that elderly people with chronic conditions and disorders may be easily dismissed as dying when that may not, indeed, be the case. Certain media have even compared the LCP with euthanasia. Euthanasia is still against the law in this land. Perhaps, then, the advice of the NMC does stand in good stead and these relatives should be, quote, at liberty to contact the police. And is that their advice to them? The NMC makes no reply.
The Liverpool Care Pathway was a tool designed to be used with patients already diagnosed to be terminally ill; it was never a diagnostic tool per se to determine a terminal condition. It was designed at the Marie Curie Hospice in Liverpool specifically for the terminally diagnosed patient and to recognise when a point had been reached that death was near or imminent so as to provide as peaceful and gentle path from this world as might be provided. These patients were already diagnosed to be dying from cancer; the Pathway was not the tool used to make that diagnosis, but a means - a 'pathway' to follow - to determine that point.
A culture of death is pervading the NHS in the UK. A dark shadow is stalking our hospitals and care homes. The right to death is becoming paramount over the right to life. The LCP is providing a newfound legitimacy and cover to an unspoken policy that has, actually, been in place for decades! Will the NMC, if it will do nothing more, not add its voice to that of Dr. Peter Hargreaves and others and raise a hue and cry to get this Care Pathway rolled back and removed? Will the Care Quality Commission, the new body set in place to investigate such matters not step in?
The NMC have stated that any further correspondence will be filed, but not answered. Then, let it go on record that the NMC were asked to add their voice to denounce this scandal and declined to do so. Posterity will look back in anger and horror!
An afterword:
The Department of Health committed to investing 286 million pounds over the two years to 2011 to support implementation of this End of Life Care Strategy. That is 286 million pounds spent to assist people on their path to the next world while denying the necessary funding to keep them alive and well in this!
A Daily Mail on-line article outlines how we in the UK have the worst cancer survival rate in the western world. Doctors in our local surgeries, hospitals and health care centres are providing us with treatments based on our illness, our age, our families. The Daily Mail article explains how doctors tend to late-diagnose older patients or provide them with less beneficial treatments. The elderly are routinely denied surgery or drugs.
It is a duty incumbent upon every medical person to protect life and to do no harm. And yet, through the LCP, there is a policy set in place at Caterham Dene - and across the NHS - to make no great effort to intervene to preserve life, to let them go and even to help them on their way.
So much of the public purse to spend on death, so little to spend on life. There is something very wrong here. The elderly, suffering from the most terminal of all illnesses - OLD-AGE - are on the sharp end of this cutting-edge of end-of-life policies. A culture of death really is pervading the NHS in the UK. A dark shadow is stalking our hospitals and care homes. The right to death is becoming paramount over the right to life!