End-of-Life Medical Care

35. Panelist Dr Richard Margolese commented that many oncologists overutilize chemotherapy in patients with advanced breast cancer. Non-oncologists in the audience were asked, do you agree with Dr Margolese's statement?

Patrick Borgen, MD

That was a surprising moment in the conference. I don't think that surgeons whom I know feel that medical oncologists over-utilize therapies. I think that what you're trying to do is sell hope, and if hope means that your doctor is going to give you a third and a fourth line or a Phase 1 drug, far be it from anybody to take that away.

(Back to Contents)