Expensive medical treatment

My friend's wife passed away recently from cancer. She was in her early 50s.

This was the third cancer attack over the past 15 years. My friend appointed a private cancer specialist to treat her. The initial estimate was $50,000. The total medical bill increased to $150,000.

My friend knew that the chance of recovery was very slim. When the initial estimate was exceeded, he found it difficult to decline the suggestion of further treatment. He had to spend so much money, when there was virtually no hope. He earned a modest income, so the medical bill represented many years of his earnings.

He had made an insurance claim on an earlier cancer treatment. The latest episode was not covered by insurance.

Lesson: There is no point in spending so much money for treatment, when there was virtually no chance of recovery. He should have obtained independent, objective advice from another specialist (other than the specialist that treated his wife).