Dying cancer patients: choices at the end of life

Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia have recently received considerable attention in the literature and in the courts. Surveys have been conducted assessing physicians' attitudes toward euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Five patients were followed and counseled in a cancer support group from time of diagnosis of their malignancies until death. These case reports demonstrate the need for further studies to include interviews of dying patients. Review of these cases indicates that factors in addition to pain management and the treatment of depression, such as care by family members, support groups, and spiritual concerns, can influence patients not to act on their previous requests for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide.