Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

Episode details

World Service,15 Jan 2014,55 mins

Is there an honourable way to deal with terminal illness?

World Have Your Say

Available for over a year

We discuss the lively debate currently in the media and online about an American woman tweeting regular detailed updates of her daily life with breast cancer. Journalist Bill Keller wrote in the New York Times that Lisa Adams' twitter feed gave "false hope" and portrays those who chose palliative care instead of fighting cancer as "failures". His wife Emma Gilbey Keller also wrote "what are the ethics of tweeting a terminal illness? Is this educational or too much?" In spite of this Lisa Adams has vowed to continue sharing her story. She tweeted that it is "better (to) be honorable (as it) reflects on (my) family". What is your reaction to this story? (Photo: Screenshot of Lisa Adams' twitter feed)

Programme Website
More episodes