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Earlier talks mean less aggressive end-of-life care
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 26, 2012
Terminally ill cancer patients who talk with their doctors more than 30 days before death about end-of-life care are likelier to enter hospice and receive less chemotherapy and hospital care than patients who have such conversations closer to death, said a study published Nov. 13 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
The study of 1,231 patients with advanced colorectal or lung cancer found that 88% discussed end-of-life care with their doctors. The 39% who had such talks soon after being diagnosed with incurable cancer and again more than a month before death received less aggressive treatments in the days and weeks before dying. Patient-physician discussion about these difficult choices can help patients avoid burdensome treatments that may not extend life, said the study (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/11/26/prbf1126.htm.
