According to statistics, the number of cancer deaths in China in 2020 was about 2.4 million, an increase of 21.6% over 2005.
The main causes of cancer death in men are: lung cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer. Women are: lung, liver, stomach, colorectal, and breast cancers.
It is understood that more than 60% of patients with advanced cancer will feel pain, although most people can be relieved by drugs, but encountering intractable pain, it is very torturous for patients.
So, at the end of life, what do we do after learning that the body cannot be cured?
Hospice hospitals
A "hospice hospital" is a type of medical institution that focuses on providing hospice care to patients. Medical care and support are provided at the end of a patient's life to ensure that patients receive respectful, comfortable and pain-free care in their final moments.
This type of hospital not only focuses on treating the disease itself, but also on the overall well-being of the patient, including psychological, spiritual, and social aspects.
Hospices usually have a professional medical team, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, etc., to ensure that patients and their families receive appropriate care throughout the end-of-life process.
These hospitals may also provide training and counselling for patients' families to help them better understand and cope with their condition.
The earliest hospice hospital in mainland China was established in Shanghai in 1988 as Nanhui Nursing Home, which mainly accepts elderly patients who have lost their ability to take care of themselves or other life needs.
In May 2010, the hospice ward of Beijing Geriatric Hospital was officially put into use, which is one of the first tertiary hospitals in Beijing to provide such medical services.
In October 2017, the first batch of national palliative care pilots were launched in five cities (districts) including Haidian District of Beijing. In May 2019, the National Health Commission issued a notice, clarifying that the second batch of pilot projects will be launched in 71 cities or districts, including Shanghai and Xicheng District of Beijing.
Facing the final stages of life, many patients may experience physical pain while also facing a heavy atmosphere of grief in their families.
The suffering faced by patients is often influenced not only by the disease itself, but also by treatment choices and family expectations. In some cases, patients may wish to forgo further treatment and opt for end-of-life care to gain more comfort and dignity in the last days of their lives.
However, sometimes family members may have difficulty accepting the loss of a loved one and may insist on aggressive treatment, which can lead to unnecessary distress in the patient's final moments.
Even when they return home, it is difficult for both the patient and their family members to cope with the pain in their hearts. Hospices can provide psychological and social support to patients and families to help them cope with the impending end of life and address family-level issues. This helps to create a welcoming environment where patients feel warm and cared for in the final stages of life.
Palliative care ≠ euthanasia
It is important to note that palliative care is not the same as "euthanasia".
In traditional filial piety, devotion to parents is an extremely important part. This is not just about material support, but also about caring for the spiritual needs of parents. Children are expected to provide a warm and comfortable environment for their parents in their old age, so that they can live out their old age in peace.
At the same time, following family rules is also a requirement of filial piety, and children should follow the norms and values of the family to maintain family harmony.
Whatever the reason, making a decision to sign up on a parent's life is unacceptable to the vast majority of people. Therefore, there is a lot of controversy on the Internet about the practice of euthanasia.
And euthanasia is not only very controversial in China, but also widely different in the world.
Euthanasia, also known as voluntary euthanasia or dignified death, refers to the act of ending one's life at the patient's own discretion when suffering from a terminal illness or extreme pain with no hope of recovery.
The Netherlands and Belgium are now the first countries in the world to pass laws legalizing euthanasia, which provides examples of similar legislation around the world.
The legal frameworks of both countries emphasize the prerequisites that patients must be qualified as adults and be able to make informed decisions.
This is intended to ensure that the subject of euthanasia selection is a deliberate, rational adult and avoids inappropriate decision-making due to a lack of adequate mental capacity.
In addition, these laws establish a series of procedures and conditions for doctors engaged in euthanasia. Doctors need to follow detailed regulations when performing euthanasia, ensuring transparency and legality throughout the process.
This may include a rigorous assessment of the patient to ensure that his or her condition meets the statutory criteria for terminal illness, as well as to ensure that the patient's decision is voluntary and not subject to external pressure or influence through an appropriate counseling process. The legal systems of these countries also often provide for a multi-layered approval process to ensure that the decision to euthanize is fully reviewed.
In addition, doctors must meet specific ethical standards when performing euthanasia, ensuring that the patient's life is ended with minimal suffering and dignity maintained.
However, many other countries still treat euthanasia as illegal, advocate for the protection of the dignity of life, and fear that legalization could lead to abuse or slippage, and this concern is not unreasonable.
With the development of modern medicine, we are able to save more lives and extend the length of life. However, it is also important that we focus on the quality of life and respect every life choice. Hospices provide a special space where patients feel dignity and warmth during their farewells. In this hospital, life is not the end, but continues in a different way.
At the same time, it has also triggered a deep thinking about life and death and medical ethics in the society, and also opened up a new perspective for us to discuss "euthanasia".