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November 22, 2008 10:02:23 CST

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Dying Patients Helped by Docs' End-of-Life Talks

Posted Jun 16, 08 5:51 CDT in Science & Health 

(Newser) – While only a third of terminally-ill cancer patients received end-of-life talks from their doctors, those who did fared better, a study has found. Doctors who hedge may think they’re protecting their patients, but patients who got the talk were no more likely to get depressed, avoided living their final days in hospitals, and didn’t spend on expensive, futile care, the AP reports.

What’s more, families who knew the end was nigh were better off. The study “says we have a lot of homework to do,” says a cancer specialist. A California bill would require health care workers to speak openly to terminally-ill patients about their conditions if asked."Most patients know in their heart" says one doc, "but people have an amazing capacity to deny or just keep fighting. For a majority it's a relief to know and just be able to talk about it,"

Source Associated Press

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Cancer patient Eileen Mulligan, 68, left, and her husband Bob, share a laugh after he helped her out of a chair in the backyard of their Washington home on Thursday, June 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Nancy Niedzielski holds a photo of her husband Randy, who died in 2006 of brain cancer, Saturday, June 7, 2008, in Woodinville, Wash.   (AP Photo/Niki Desautels)
Just a third of terminally-ill cancer patients received end-of-life care talks from their doctors.   (Shutterstock)
Cancer patient Eileen Mulligan, 68, is photographed at her Washington home on Thursday, June 12, 2008. Only one-third of terminally ill cancer patients in a new study said their doctors had discussed...   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Cancer patient Eileen Mulligan, 68, holds her daily dose of chemotherapy pills on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at her home in Washington.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Cancer patient Eileen Mulligan, 68, rests in the backyard of her Washington home on Thursday, June 12, 2008. Only one-third of terminally ill cancer patients in a new study said their doctors had discussed...   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
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