Print ArticleSacramento – A study released by the American Society of Clinical Oncologists is posing a public relations problem for a group of California cancer doctors opposed to a bill that essentially puts into law the practice endorsed by the national study.
Even as oncologists from around the country received a study this week that says terminally ill patients are better off with more information about the nature of dying, Northern California Oncologists were trying to kill a bill that requires doctors to have open discussions with their dying patients.
"They´re at odds with the findings of a study presented to their national organization," said Barbara Lee, president of Compassion & Choices, the sponsors of the measure. "And yet they´re trying to convince lawmakers that their words should be the final words."
The study, The Role of Chemotherapy at the End of Life: "When Is Enough, Enough?" was presented to the American Society of Clinical Oncologists. The findings confirmed the belief of many advocates that keeping patients in the dark does more harm than good.
It´s unclear whether the new study would have significant impact on the fate of Assembly Bill 2747, which has already been approved by the California Assembly.
"It´s up to the state Senate to decide whether they want to believe a small group of doctors with a political ax to grind, or whether they want to believe the latest scientific data," said Lee.
The study found a "conundrum for today´s oncologist" in that "moving on to third- or fourth-line chemotherapy may be easier than discussing hospice care." The study also notes that "chemotherapy intervention is better compensated than are discussions." The study found that "as suggested by hospice experts and oncologists, someone other than the oncologist might give information about the hospice option and provide specific prognosis and palliative treatment information." Thirty-five patients reported learning more about their prognosis from other patients in the waiting room than from their health care professionals.
A second study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (May 2008, abstract 6505) finds that terminal patients who have an End-of-Life discussion with their physician are more likely to receive hospice care, less likely to enter an Intensive Care Unit, and more likely to have a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order.
Especially striking is the finding that patients who discuss end-of-life options are not more nervous or worried than patients who do not.
Even as oncologists from around the country received a study this week that says terminally ill patients are better off with more information about the nature of dying, Northern California Oncologists were trying to kill a bill that requires doctors to have open discussions with their dying patients.
"They´re at odds with the findings of a study presented to their national organization," said Barbara Lee, president of Compassion & Choices, the sponsors of the measure. "And yet they´re trying to convince lawmakers that their words should be the final words."
The study, The Role of Chemotherapy at the End of Life: "When Is Enough, Enough?" was presented to the American Society of Clinical Oncologists. The findings confirmed the belief of many advocates that keeping patients in the dark does more harm than good.
It´s unclear whether the new study would have significant impact on the fate of Assembly Bill 2747, which has already been approved by the California Assembly.
"It´s up to the state Senate to decide whether they want to believe a small group of doctors with a political ax to grind, or whether they want to believe the latest scientific data," said Lee.
The study found a "conundrum for today´s oncologist" in that "moving on to third- or fourth-line chemotherapy may be easier than discussing hospice care." The study also notes that "chemotherapy intervention is better compensated than are discussions." The study found that "as suggested by hospice experts and oncologists, someone other than the oncologist might give information about the hospice option and provide specific prognosis and palliative treatment information." Thirty-five patients reported learning more about their prognosis from other patients in the waiting room than from their health care professionals.
A second study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (May 2008, abstract 6505) finds that terminal patients who have an End-of-Life discussion with their physician are more likely to receive hospice care, less likely to enter an Intensive Care Unit, and more likely to have a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order.
Especially striking is the finding that patients who discuss end-of-life options are not more nervous or worried than patients who do not.
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