Accepting Palliatives or Searching for Cures

We are writing regarding the article “Learning to Accept the Inevitable” (Aug. 27).

If the doctors can’t cure cancer, is it because it is incurable, or is it because the doctors don’t yet know how? Who is to play God and tell the cancer patient to give up and settle for palliatives? Is our problem too much “dedication to a high-tech pursuit of a cure”?

With Dr. Christine Nelson’s approach, sufferers of tuberculosis, syphilis and the myriad diseases that have been conquered to one degree or another would still be settling for palliatives. Certainly, easing pain and concern for the quality of life is part of all treatment, not just “accepting the end” treatment. Greater dedication, if anything, is needed for developing cures for cancer, AIDS, etc.

If, as the article suggests, cancer is on the increase, efforts to find causes and cures must be as aggressive as the brave struggles of cancer patients are usually aggressive. Palliation sounds kind, but is no substitute for the ongoing search to cure human disease or for the individuals battling for survival against statistical odds.

VICTOR and BETTY SAZER, Venice