An age-old rule

The risks that come with medical advances give the adage ‘first do no harm’ even more critical meaning, writes Dr LINDA REID CHASSIAKOS. 

SAM was in his early 40s, not much older than I was. He’d had a cough off and on for a few weeks and had come to see me for reassurance. He’d quit smoking a few years earlier and was more motivated than my average patient to make healthy lifestyle choices, such as a balanced diet and exercise.