Table of Contents
- 1 What is the most common cause of complications and death in patients with cancer?
- 2 How do you know when someone with cancer is near the end?
- 3 Why is it important to ask patients how much they want to know about their diagnosis before telling them?
- 4 Should family members be told when cancer is diagnosed?
- 5 Should families be supported when receiving bad news about the diagnosis?
What is the most common cause of complications and death in patients with cancer?
The single major cause of death was infection (36\%), which was also a contributory factor in an additional 68\% of the cases. Other important causes of death were hemorrhagic and thromboembolic phenomena (18\%), which also were contributory factors in an additional 43\%.
How do you know when someone with cancer is near the end?
The following are signs and symptoms that suggest a person with cancer may be entering the final weeks of life: Worsening weakness and exhaustion. A need to sleep much of the time, often spending most of the day in bed or resting. Weight loss and muscle thinning or loss.
Why Patients should know their diagnosis?
The bottom line is the patient does have a right to know his or her diagnosis, for two main ethical reasons: 1) it is the patient’s information, not anyone else’s, so the patient is entitled to that information; and 2) there will always be additional decisions to make, even if the diagnosis is terminal, so the patient …
What is the main cause of death in cancer patients?
What were the leading causes of cancer death in 2019? Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death, accounting for 23\% of all cancer deaths. Other common causes of cancer death were cancers of the colon and rectum (9\%), pancreas (8\%), female breast (7\%), prostate (5\%), and liver and intrahepatic bile duct (5\%).
Why is it important to ask patients how much they want to know about their diagnosis before telling them?
Should family members be told when cancer is diagnosed?
In principle, family members should not be told the diagnosis of cancer before patients are told. Families who want the patient to be in ignorance of the diagnosis may be worried that ‘the patient may commit suicide because of fear or shock’.
What is the psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis?
Many have reported that the psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis continues long after any physical symptoms have been addressed. The sense of loss, transitions and numerous anxieties can be continued and lifelong experiences.
How to discuss the diagnosis of cancer with patients?
It is recommended to have several interviews with patients to discuss the diagnosis step by step. It is important to put yourself in the patient’s place and not to judge a patient’s reactions prematurely. In principle, family members should not be told the diagnosis of cancer before patients are told.
Should families be supported when receiving bad news about the diagnosis?
Families sometimes become more agitated than patients and cannot remember or understand the explanation accurately Therefore, do not take it for granted that ‘families will be alright when receiving bad news about the diagnosis, because they are not patients’. When necessary, families should also be supported.