Cancer patients who have chemotherapy have a less peaceful death often in hospital  instead of the comfort of their home

  • Survey looks at 386 terminal cancer patients and how they died
  • Doctors struggle to talk about end-of-life care with terminal chemo patients
  • Those patients were more likely to be hooked up to a ventilator
  • They were more likely to die in hospital rather than in their own homes

By Chris Pleasance

PUBLISHED: 09:49 EST, 9 March 2014 | UPDATED: 10:58 EST, 9 March 2014

Cancer patients who receive chemotherapy during the last stages of their life are more likely to die in hospital rather than their preferred location at home, a study has shown.

The research showed that many doctors have a hard time initiating end-of-life conversations with their patients, especially the young, even after cancer has spread to different parts of the body.

Such patients were also less likely to have discussed their final wishes with their doctors, meaning many were placed on a ventilator and had a less peaceful death than those who ended treatment early.

A survey has shown that cancer patients who continue treatment in the last stages of illness are less likely to have a peaceful death than those who ended treatment earlier

A survey has shown that cancer patients who continue treatment in the last stages of illness are less likely to have a peaceful death than those who ended treatment earlier

Dr. Alexi Wright, an assistant professor of medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the study’s lead author, told the Boston Globe: 'There’s a subtle dance that happens between oncologist and patient.

 

More...

UK CANCER STATISTICS

In 2011 there were roughly 330,000 diagnosed cases of cancer in the UK, with the most common being breast, lung, prostate and bowel cancers, with 160,000 deaths.

For men diagnosed with cancer 2007 there was a 43 per cent chance of surviving with the disease for five years or more, while for women it was 56 per cent.

Overall, since 2000, there has been a three per cent rise in cancer in the UK.

'Where doctors don’t want to broach the subject of dying, especially in younger patients, because it makes those patients think we’re giving up on them.'

Wright and her team of researchers studied 386 terminally ill cancer patients. They found that the 56 percent that had chemotherapy tended to be younger, better educated, richer, and more optimistic about their outlook.

The patients died within an average of four months after participating in the study.

Sixty-five percent died in their preferred place; compared to 80 percent of those who chose to stop treatments.

The researchers found that those taking chemotherapy were more likely to die in a hospital intensive care unit rather than at home and were more likely to get placed on a ventilator.

The survey found that doctors struggled to have conversations with those still having treatment about end-of-life treatment, meaning patients were more likely to die in hospital against their wishes

The survey found that doctors struggled to have conversations with those still having treatment about end-of-life treatment, meaning patients were more likely to die in hospital against their wishes

Wright added: 'Doctors are human beings, and sometimes we fail to have the clarity to determine when our patients are dying.

'Even when we do, we may not want to give up on treatments as this study suggests is the case.'

Wright hopes the study, published in the British Medical Journal this week, will persuade doctors to talk through options with their patients, meaning they had a more peaceful death.


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Smoking rates down, cancer rates up - there goes THAT theory then!

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The NHS can't help me with pain management for my constant gout. I'd be terrified having to rely on them for pain relief associated with cancer. I think I'd have to chuck myself of the nearest Bridge for relief.

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So because the nhs want to cut expenditure,they suddenly import this research from the USA so everyone gets put off chemotherapy? This research is currently being used by Obamacare afficionados to assist service providers over there to reduce their care bills as well....

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The healthcare must change and stop using treatments that promotes ill health such as mammograms and these must be replaced with safer alternatives such as digital infrared themographic scans (thermography) that are non invasive and much more accurate and far safer than mammograms, X Rays and cell biopsies.

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I do have terminal cancer and made the choice to have no chemo. I did have a large tumor that has vanished much to the Drs. shock and now have lived passed the 6 months they gave me. - kluthera, Baltimore, 09/03/2014 18:59 Well done. I'm sure many would like to know more. Please tell.

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Yeah but the doctors/hospitals make more money off the ones who have chemotherapy. Sometimes I wonder if that is their main goal

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That is why privatisation should not be allowed in UK ... Let those millionaires who can afford have private treatment if they wish.

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My Grandma had lost her battle with cancer almost two years ago now. She had chemotherapy, yet she passed in peace surrounded by loved ones and I'm glad she had the chemotherapy because without it, she would have probably not had around six more months with us that she did have. Although I must say throughout her treatment she was often very ill and continued to lose weight rapidly.

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Hmm, thank you for your insight

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My husband died from chemotherapy NOT cancer last year.

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me believe it

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So what were you doing then?

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The mainstream cancer industry promotes the belief that cancer is caused by people not getting enough radiation (radiotherapy), not enough poison (chemotherapy) or not enough bits cut out (surgery). The mainstream cancer industry is an industry run to protect it's own business model and profits. The causes of cancer are the larger part of the cure. The factors that cause obesity also cause cancer. Diet and lifestyle is important. Avoiding the following will reduce cancer risk: cows milk, dairy, wheat, gluten, hydrogenated fats and oils, aspartame, sucralose, HFCS, artificial sweeteners, p.a.r.a.b.e.n.s, canola/rapeseed oil, GMO, MSG, bisphenols (BPA/BPS), alcohol, tobacco, vaccines, mercury, alum/aluminium, mercury, amalgam fillings, root canals, fluoride, vaccines, meat, microwaved food/drink, microwaves, X Rays, very high voltage power line/pylons (if within 200 metres). Obviously radiation and some environmental factors can't be avoided. Research is very important.

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Just a mum, Kent... So glad to read your comment & hear you're doing do well. So pleased your husband took control and effectively saved your life. Couldn't agree more regarding chemo. It is evil stuff. Cancer thrives on sugar...your husband was right to cut it out & change your diet. My mother has been in a similar position and I'm so pleased she choose to educate & research what best to do. I wish you all the best for the future.

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Thank you.

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