Like many cancer survivors who have endured chemotherapy treatments, I have often said, “The treatment was worse than the disease.” Why, despite the very dangerous side effects of chemotherapy, does it still seem to be the treatment of choice for many oncologists? Do you think it may be because giving chemotherapy is very profitable for oncologists?

Did you know that oncologists can benefit from the sale of chemotherapy drugs? It is totally restricted and exclusively for oncologists. I know of no other group of doctors who are allowed to profit from the sale of drugs.

Think about this. A significant amount of income for oncologists comes from the profits they make from the sale of chemotherapy drugs. Do you think that is why chemotherapy is so used by oncologists? Is it “All about the money?”

Do you think oncologists might be tempted to give you the drug from which they will get the most benefit? I like to have the faith that my doctor cares about me. Unfortunately, monetary incentives do something to destroy my faith.

This is what I think is a perfect example of that. Her doctor told Trisha Torrey: “You have a very rare cancer, a lymphoma, called T-cell lymphoma similar to subcutaneous panniculitis.” Her doctor referred her to an oncologist. The news from the oncologist was very disappointing. They told her that without chemotherapy she would be dead before Christmas. She asked about the possibility that the lab results were wrong. They said, “No, it is not a possibility. Two laboratories independently confirmed the results.” She said the pressure started to build to start chemotherapy.

Terry sought the opinion of another oncologist. Three weeks later, in late September, they confirmed that she did not actually have cancer. Is it possible that her first oncologist was pressuring her to undergo chemotherapy for the money she would earn? I don’t know, but it’s a scary thought.

Oncologists are a lot like retail store business owners. According to a recent NBC News report, oncologists make most of their income by buying products (drugs) in bulk and selling them to patients at retail.

Like any entrepreneur, oncologists in private practice have a right and deserve to make a living. My question is; Should they make their money treating the patients or SELLING the drugs? Other types of doctors don’t have that option.

And where do you think oncologists get their information about the drugs they sell? It comes from the seller of pharmaceutical products. Do you think that information may be biased?

How did this practice start? It started because Medicare and insurance companies wanted to save money by shifting cancer treatments out of the hospital and putting them in the hands of private-practice oncologists. Again, it’s all about the money. Unfortunately, that greed failed and we, the patients, are paying the price. Since that policy began, the prices of many cancer drugs have skyrocketed to tens of thousands of dollars a year.

All chemotherapy drugs used in the United States have been approved by the FDA. Does that make them safe? Do you think drug companies influence the FDA to approve dangerous drugs in the same way that they influence private practice medical oncologists? I make.

I think the drug companies and their lobbyists have too much influence over the decision-making and policy of oncologists and the FDA.

It is well known that the FDA has allowed many drugs, including chemotherapy, to remain on the market despite serious risk factors. How did it happen that dangerous drugs were approved by the FDA and oncologists made significant profits selling them? Meet Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the pharmaceutical industry trade group

PhRMA lobbied for the Prescription Drug User Fees Act (PDUFA) of 1992. The pharmaceutical industry agreed to help fund the approval process, in exchange for the FDA’s promise to expedite its deliberations. Does this put the FDA in financial debt to the industry it is supposed to regulate? I think so.

There are many non-toxic natural chemotherapies that eliminate malignant neoplasms. Laetrile, which is basically vitamin B17, selectively targets and kills cancer cells and is available in many plant foods. It does this without harming healthy cells. Perhaps the farmers who grow those plants should give the oncologists a commission for selling their crops.

Despite the tone of this article, I AM NOT AGAINST going to an oncologist for cancer treatment. I am not against all chemotherapy treatments. I’m suggesting you do what Trisha Torrey did; get a second opinion.

I almost died from my first two rounds of chemotherapy. I also felt that oncologists were arrogant and selfish. I was not at all comfortable with them. Then I went back to where I live and started my treatment again. My doctor in Cape, Dr. Victor Avilés, actually treated me with chemotherapy. It wasn’t the same drug the Boston doctors used. I don’t think I chose this drug for profit. It was the most suitable drug for my particular cancer. I always felt very comfortable with him.

My closing thought. If you are not totally comfortable with your doctor, get another one. There are wonderful, dedicated, and honest oncologists out there. You may have to visit several to find the one that is right for you.