Two Perth parents are defending their attempt to stop their six-year-old son from receiving chemotherapy treatment for a malignant brain tumour.

Angela Kiszko and Adrian Strachan say they want to pursue alternative treatments for their son's medulloblastoma instead of "harsh" chemotherapy and radiotherapy prescribed by doctors.

He has already undergone a six-hour surgery.

"I don't want my son's brain fried with radiation. The effects are too harsh, too damaging ... I find it even difficult to call it a treatment," Ms Kiszko said.

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A Princess Margaret Hospital doctor took legal action after Angela Kiszko and Adrian Strachan refused chemotherapy and radiotherapy for their son.



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The parents appeared on Australian television after a Perth doctor took legal action that forced them to take six-year-old Oshin Kiszko to the hospital for cancer treatment.

The judge's decision was based on medical evidence and the child's best interests, the Australian Medical Association says.

Family Court Judge Stephen Thackray in March said "parental power was not unlimited" and found the parents were not acting in their child's best interests because doctors believed he would die within a few months without treatment.

The court was told Oshin had a 30 per cent prospect of surviving for five years if chemotherapy started immediately and a 50 per cent chance with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but could die within months without it.

The parents contacted media outlets and are appealing the decision.

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Oshin's cancer treatment has started despite his parents' objections.

Ms Kiszko said it had been "horrific to watch" his first week of chemotherapy and even though it might save him, she preferred quality of life over quantity.

"I would not put myself through this," she said.

"I want him to live. I don't want him to survive."

AMA national ethics chairman and WA president Michael Gannon has previously said he thought the doctor's decision to legally challenge the parents was brave.

"It is very difficult to try to make a case to a parent that you think you know better than their wishes for their own child and put their head above the parapet," he told ABC radio.

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