Breast cancer Quote by Atul Gawande
““an average of $94,000 during the last year of life with a metastatic breast cancer. Our medical system is excellent at trying to stave off death with $12,000-a-month chemotherapy, $4,000-a-day intensive care, $7,000-an-hour surgery. But, ultimately, death comes, and few are good at knowing when to stop.””
About This Quote
Critiques the healthcare system's tendency to prolong life at high cost without acknowledging when to cease treatment.
In simple terms: End‑of‑life cost vs. value
Key Takeaway
Medical care often ignores appropriate limits
Themes
healthcare economics
palliative care
ethics
resource allocation
mortality
Mood
thoughtful
urgent
Type
analytical
advocacy
When to use this quote
- hospital policy meetings
- patient‑family counseling
- bioethics seminars
Key Concepts
cost‑benefit analysis
death acceptance
Practical Applications
- guidelines for hospice referrals
- cost‑effectiveness studies
Questions to Reflect On
- When should aggressive treatment be reconsidered?
- How can clinicians better communicate limits to patients?
