"I give you six months to live," the doctor says flatly.

This kind of bad news is certainly hard on the patient -- and can be equally difficult for physicians who must deliver it as well. But as long as we're at the tender mercies of these men in white, asks Sunday Mainichi, can't we at least expect a little more sympathy?

Apparently not. Examples of callous, coldhearted mistreatment are rampant. Like the doctor who warns a cancer patient that transferring to another hospital "would see a recurrence of the disease within seven or eight months." Or those who insist on operating without providing any explanation -- ignoring the patient's right to informed consent. And others who rush a patient into agreeing to undergo surgery without suggesting other treatment options. Worst of all are those who impart a sense of hopelessness by saying, "There's nothing else I can do for you."

This pouring of verbal salt in patients' wounds has led a member of the profession to coin the phrase "doctor harassment" to describe the phenomenon.

Inspired by tales of horror conveyed by his patients, cancer specialist Shigehiro Tsuchiya recently published "Doctor Harassment Yurusenai! Kanja wo Kizutsukeru Ishi no Hitokoto (Don't Tolerate Doctor Harassment! A Word to Physicians Who Hurt Patients)" (Fusosha). His book stands out as an indictment of those in his profession who verbally abuse, or otherwise make life harder on their patients than it already is.

"I've received quite a response," says Tsuchiya, who relates some of the complaints from patients he's counseled -- not just for their illnesses, but for damage caused by their insensitive physicians.

Some doctors, it seems, wield their words like a scalpel -- minus the anesthesia. Sunday Mainichi lists some typical occurrences.

* A 36-year-old man seeking treatment for depression is told by his psychiatrist: "To this degree, I don't call it depression; it looks to me like you're just malingering so you can take it easy."

* A 45-year-old woman found a lump in her breast. After a biopsy she was told: "You're in danger unless we operate immediately. You're really lucky you came to us." The woman sought a second opinion from a specialist and was informed the growth appeared benign, but that she should have it checked at three-month intervals. When she conveyed these findings to the first doctor, he said, "Well, then we can't be held responsible for what happens to you." Unbowed by this, she sought a third opinion that confirmed the second doctor's finding.

* While accompanied by her mother to hear the doctor's explanation prior to surgery to remove an ovarian cyst, a 29-year-old woman was humiliated when her doctor remarked, "Your daughter has never experienced sex with a man, but during the operation her hymen may be damaged."

* A doctor at a university hospital treating a 50-year-old woman seeking help for arthritis said, "Shall I give you an injection?" "Well, I'm already on medication," the woman replied. "Ah, so," said the doctor, his face reflecting disappointment. Fearful he might refuse to treat her, she hurriedly changed her mind and agreed to the injection.

"Doctors' education has come down largely to a process of passing examinations so hardly any of them develop any social polish," suggests Takashi Fuke, a well-known medical journalist. "It's easy for them to become egocentric. But on the other hand they're incredibly sensitive to disapproval by their peers. Their pride simply won't let them accept a patient requesting to be moved to another hospital, so they'll lash out."

"To fight this kind of 'doku-hara,' it's easier to change the awareness of patients than to change that of the doctors," Tsuchiya says. "Up to now, many of them never dared to talk back to their doctor. I'd like to see more patients work up their courage and say, 'Sensei, what you said to me is doku-hara.' "

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Tokyo Confidential summarizes articles appearing in vernacular tabloids. The views expressed herein do not reflect those of The Japan Times, nor can we vouch for the veracity of the contents.