As a christian, if i'm diagnosed with cancer and choose not to seek treatment is that suicide?

Ask clergy.: As a physician, i feel very strongly that this goes beyond our areas of expertise. The best that we can offer is information regarding risks vs. Benefits and probability of cure. It is a patient's fundamental right to have final say-so regarding accepting treatment.

No please see below: I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I am a christian also so i know that the lord will heal you... Either on earth or in heaven. You and your family of believers need to pray hard on how the lord chooses to heal you. If he pleases to heal you here you may need treatment, ..... If he is willing you home to himself, make amends with your family, be at peace, and know we will see you soon.

Usually no unless...: I believe the answer depends on the type and stage of cancer. If it is a form of cancer that is diagnosed early and easily curable then one could argue that not treating is a passive form of suicide. However, if it is a more advanced cancer with a poor prognosis then not treating is a very reasonable option considering the side effects and lack of efficacy of most treatments for advanced cancer.

We are given choices: One of the most important choices is what we do with our lives. Unfortunately most folks do not think about it until it is right in front of them. At that point there may not have been much thought put into it and at times we have no choice at all. To make the choice we need faith, family , friends and if medical, our physician.Trust your sources and you will make a right moral and ethical choice.

Not under the law: You'll have to ask your pastor whether your faith permits you to refuse treatment for a particular illness. Common sense says it's wrong to ignore a cancer that's likely to be cured easily, giving you many more good years. I know no faith that requires that all possible treatments be used even though cure is unlikely / impossible, in preference to comfort measures only.

Philosophers: That is probably a question for philosophers but my understanding of suicide is that you cause your own death. If you get cancer you did nothing to cause that. If Christian you may even believe that it was gods will. Choosing not to treat CA is a perfectly rational medical decision if the treatment is hopeless. Make sure you have talked to your oncologist and are making an educated decision