Over 40% of terminal cancer patients lived with pain and suffering in the month-long period before death, it has been learned.
The survey was conducted from January to March in 2019 by the National Cancer Center Japan on families who experienced death in 2017 brought on by cancer, cardiac disorder, pneumonia, renal failure or cerebrovascular diseases within the family.
It was the first large-scale nationwide survey on about 50,000 such families and valid responses were received from 21,309 people.
According to the survey, relatives of deceased cancer patients who said their relative suffered from physical pain, were fatigued or had difficulty breathing during the month-long period prior to death stood at 47.2% -- a figure higher than for patients who died from other diseases. Patients who experienced discomfort was reported by 42.3% of those in the survey.
Meanwhile, 81.9% of the respondents said doctors were quick to respond to painful symptoms. But when asked why was it that patients were still left in a painful state, many of the respondents replied, "The doctor dealt with it to some extent, but it was not enough."
Some respondents said, "The doctor should have conducted more examinations and spared more time [to take care of the pain]."
Masashi Kato, Chief of Division of Medical Support and Partnership said, "We have still room for improvement when it comes to cancer pain relief care."
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