How do you know when it's time to refuse treatment for incurable cancer? | Society | theguardian.com

How do you know when it's time to refuse treatment for incurable cancer? | Society | theguardian.com:

A few months ago, my consultant oncologist sat with me in his room and wrote on the top of a consent form "Palliative chemotherapy with the intent of relieving symptoms". This was my second time facing the chemotherapy wringer for the incurable, rare sarcoma residing in my abdomen, and a huge decision that I had made after much deliberation and discussion.

At 31, death was hurtling towards me at an alarming rate, and although the primary motivation for both my oncologist and me was to relieve the pelvic pain that disturbed my sleep every night, the chemotherapy regimen would also prolong my life.

But what does "palliative" actually mean? In the oncology world, there is a split between curative and palliative treatments. Curative management includes surgery to cut out a cancer or radiotherapy to burn cancer cells; both are performed with the intent of eradicating the cancer.

Palliative
chemotherapy is primarily meant to relieve symptoms, such as pain, but
it can also prolong life. (posed by a model) Photograph: Alamy