Oshin Strachin is a very sick little boy who is unlikely to survive without treatment for his aggressive malignant brain tumour. But the treatment of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is likely to make him worse before he gets better and this is something his mother cannot bear.
Angela Kiszko, and her husband Adrian Strachen, decided that they would treat their son with alternative natural therapies in Asia. Despite the family’s wishes, a Family Court order in March ruled that they must commence treatment here immediately, reports news.com.au.
This week they returned to court to decide whether Oshin had the right to die with dignity and take palliative care, or if he should continue chemotherapy in addition to radiotherapy treatment instead.
Hospital lawyer, Carol Conley, said Oshin’s latest MRI indicated he was responding positively to treatment, reports Perth Now.
“The applicant wants to give Oshin a chance at life,” she said.
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Lawyer for the family, Jun Khew Wong, said Osher’s chances of survival remained low.
“Oshin does have the right to die with dignity,” he said, reports Perth Now.
The case raises a question of who has the right to choose a child’s fate. Angela wants to give her sick child the best quality of life possible, especially if he’s only going to live for a short time, however traditional medicine holds more hope for Oshin to live longer.
Initial surgery removed the six-year-old’s tumour however the cancer returned, and doctors recommended chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Australian Medical Association president Professor Brian Owler said Oshin was unlikely to survive without the treatment, but the survival rate would be well over 80 per cent if he was to have radiotherapy and chemotherapy, reports news.com.au.
When Angela researched the treatment she was horrified by the effects it has on the body.
“I read all the things he’d have to go through, all the side effects — I literally just wanted to vomit and I thought I could not put myself through it. Why would I put my son through it?” she said on 60 Minutes.
Angela described the treatment as putting people through “toxic hell”, so they decided on alternative therapies.
“I don’t want my son’s brain fried with radiation,” Angela said.
“The effects are too harsh, too damaging and I find it really difficult to even call it treatment.”
In April the court heard that Oshin would have a 30 per cent chance of surviving for five years if he underwent chemotherapy and a 50 per cent chance with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
At the time AMA national ethics chairman and WA president, Michael Gannon, said it was brave of the court to overrule a parent’s decision because it is difficult to say who knows best for the child.
“There is no doubt at all about this decision being made based on significant prospects of a cure or, if not, significant prospects of a high quality of life for a meaningful period of time.”
Justice Richard O’Brien has reserved his decision until next week.
