People with terminal illnesses like cancer can often want to have every available treatment that might save their lives. But experts say this can lead to "over-treatment", which has no impact on the final outcome, and only adds to the patient’s pain.
"Second day since my blood transfusion, still feeling weak." This post by a netizen with the username "Yawei Baihe" came as she was receiving another round of chemotherapy for breast cancer.
"It was the chemo that broke down her immune system. During her last days, she was actively trying to raise her blood cell levels back up and taking in protein, but it was too late." said Yawe Baihe’s Husband.
Her husband says his wife underwent 19 rounds of chemo and tried many experimental therapies, spending a more than a million yuan. But it was all to no avail.
"It’s a losing battle, but the patients’ relatives often ask us to at least try, and we cannot refuse." said Zhu Haiyan, Nurse Head, Shaoxing People’s Hospital.
But according to experts, that "bitter end" mindset can actually cause more pain to the patients and their families.
"When a patient is connected to a ventilator, his body shape will change, his belly will bulge. If you are his relative, when you look at him, how will you feel?" said Zheng Ying, Nurse Head, Peking Concord Medical College Hospital.
Testing out newly developed treatments or continuing life-support can sometimes come at the cost of greater physical and mental trauma.
"About 60 to 80 percent of cancer patients will feel severe pain. If painkillers are used properly, their quality of life for that period will be greatly improved." said Liu Ruiqi, Vice Secretary, Chinese Cancer Association.
Experts say that when all proven treatments have been exhausted, the best choice may be to focus on giving the patient comfort and peace.