How would you tell a terminally ill (cancer) patient that they are going to die?
I know that far too often cancer treatment doesn't quite work, and so the doctors stop it. How would you go about telling a patient about this? What sort of bedside manner would be appropriate for the situation?
Cancer - 6 Answers
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1 :
This is a difficult one. I think a person usually realises after a while that it is not working and starts to accept it. The patient will then start asking questions which indicate that he or she is ready to be told the truth. But then I expect every patient is different. My answer is based on my personal experiences of two close relatives who died of cancer, I am not medically qualified in any way. If I had to do what you asked, I would first ensure that a close relative was there with the patient. I would explain that everything that can be done has been done. The person will understand and have someone close to them to give them support. That is all you can do.
2 :
in my husbands case they just told us there was nothing they could do. Put us in touch with palliative nursing team. He has not been told he is going to die I think they think he will work it out for himself
3 :
it's a difficult one but i had cancer 2 years ago and at the time i did not know if my cancer was the primary or not.luckily it was so after exhausting cti scans biopsies and mri scans etc i was prepared for the worse scenario and although i did not want to leave my lovely family i just resigned myself to the worse outcome.now i spent 7 months on a cancer ward and met some lovely people of all ages who were told they had terminal cancer and in my experience of it they took it well because somehow deep down they knew.the oncologists who told these people they could not be cured were very sympathetic when they told them,i know this because in a ward they draw the curtains round the bed but sound still travels and many times i have been in tears myself when the person in the next bed has been told this distressing news.i would be very sympathetic but i know they will always offer more chemo and treatments to the patient instead of saying thats it we cannot do anymore.they will always try one more thing.
4 :
It most likely will not be you or the family to tell the patient. The doctor will tell them. And I also believe they all ready know the truth, so the doctor is just validating what the patient knows. Let them tell you, what going on. Just be there to be supportive, words are not always necessary. A touch, and smile is all that needed. And pray for them. It's so painful to see our love ones leave us.Your all in my prayers, God be with you.
5 :
Giving bad news is never easy, and no matter how often one has to to do it, it never becomes 'routine'. In most cases, the patient is already aware that things are not going well. My approach is always to answer honestly. Often a patient will say, "I'm not getting any better, am I?" Instead of a bald "No" I counter with, "Why do you feel that?" The person will then generally go on to highlight the things about their lack of progress that they have noticed. It isn't a good idea to pat them on the head - either literally or verbally - and say "Don't talk like that. Of course you'll get better!" If someone has summoned up the courage to verbalise a fear that will undoubtedly have been going around in their head for days, then an honest response is only fair. If they trust you enough to ask the question, it's a betrayal of that trust to brush it aside. If you know that someone is that ill, be prepared and reassure them that, whilst there is no further treatment that will be effective, there is much to be done with regard to symptoms - pain, nausea etc. Give them the opportunity to express their fears with love and comfort. I do hope this helps.
6 :
I think that best way is saying probability of recovery to the patient. If it is a low ratio he thinks "there is also a change, such as %5". If it is a good ratio such as %30 it is worth to try to recover. I think that
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Title : How would you tell a terminally ill (cancer) patient that they are going to die
Description : How would you tell a terminally ill (cancer) patient that they are going to die? I know that far too often cancer treatment doesn't q...