Ethical Considerations in Cancer Care: Size and Weight as a Threat to Access

Abstract

Access as an ethical term is derived from the ethical principle of justice and discussed within the framework of just distribution healthcare goods and services. Access to healthcare is thought to hold special moral importance, and the threat to access among certain special patient populations is of concern. Further, the link between obesity and certain cancers is presented along with specific strategies to overcome access barriers to prevention, early detection, treatment, and follow-up care, acknowledging weight and size as realistic barriers. A case study is included herein.