Open AccessAcknowledging the Limitations of Treatment: Surrendering to Reality
Author(s) -
Duska Linda R.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.2015-0264
Subject(s) - medicine , battle , metaphor , cancer treatment , focus (optics) , intensive care medicine , cancer , philosophy , linguistics , physics , archaeology , optics , history
The metaphor of cancer treatment as a battle can be problematic when cancer treatment fails and the end of life nears. The decision to end treatment, if it comes, is not a failure, either of the patient or the physician, but instead should be viewed as a natural segment of the journey and a desirable change in the focus of care.