When cancer is too advanced, it is no longer curable.
This is the case when cancer is too far advanced to reasonably have a treatment goal of getting rid of every cancer cell.
Also, for some frail patients with other significant medical problems, the side effects of any potential treatment could be too much to make cancer treatment worthwhile.
But even in these situations, there is still a very important goal– to preserve quality of life as long as possible. Hospice can help.
So what is hospice? Hospice means that the focus is on quality of life. That takes number one priority. Examples of this include maintaining good pain control, and taking adequate comfort measures.
How is hospice care done? There are two settings: hospice facilities where people reside and are cared for by nursing and support staff, or home hospice, where people stay at home and have the nursing or support staff come to them.
Hospice is not giving up on life. It is about focusing on living life, with a primary focus on comfort care instead of treatment.
Hospice is not necessarily permanent. People can switch out of hospice at any time to pursue treatment.
The most important thing to do when making a decision about hospice is to communicate. Communication with the patient, family members, and doctors involved is essential. Questions to ask are: Are there reasonable treatment options at this time? What are the possible side effects if treatment is chosen? Is this the right time for hospice?
Hospice is not a surrender.
It is a choice, and sometimes the best one to make.