Dr. Peter Rasmussen, a Salem oncologist, is one of the nine physicians who have written deadly prescriptions since November. Rasmussen has acknowledged helping two patients die in the last year. Both were women over 50 who were bedridden with cancer. He is the only primary physician who has spoken about his decisions. But it is also emotionally taxing.
Cancer patients fear a painful, miserable death, and cancer is certainly capable of that.
Many of the people I meet, from the day I shake their hands, I know they're going to die. Rasmussen said at least 12 of his terminally ill patients have asked for lethal prescriptions. In most cases, he was able to reduce their suffering by increasing or changing pain medication. Others died before the waiting period elapsed. In the two cases in which he did prescribe lethal doses, relatives gathered around the patients' bedsides and shared laughter at family stories and tears over the impending deaths, he said.