Heart Attacks and Cancer

In regard to Allan Parachini’s article “Cancer Patients and Heart Attacks” (Health View, Sept. 22) this bias is very true. When my husband was in serious condition with cancer in the hospital, their biggest concern was to convince me, in the event of cardiac arrest, not to have life support, pointing out to me in great detail how horrible life support was and also that it would be pointless.

In conjunction with the subject, the greatest deception being fostered on the public is that unbeknown to a patient, a doctor can say he specializes in a particular field when in actuality he has no credentials or board certification. All that is required is that he has a medical license and this gives him permission to do as he pleases. My husband had a doctor (internist) who posed as an oncologist, for which he had no certification. This fact did not come to light until two weeks prior to his death. Something should be done by the Legislature immediately. People are being greatly harmed.

JOAN A. KEPP

Inglewood