At this point, most people will have to take one day at a time. Often there will be good days alternating with not so large days. There is no standard answer on how someone should be treated and treated in their last months, even days, with this disease.
“”Each patient has his own priorities with regard to the way he would like this process to take place, “explains Michael J. Morris, MD, a genitorerinary medical oncologist and the prostate cancer section at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.” The first step is to listen to the patient and see what his objectives are. ” Receiving pain treatment, anxiety and nausea, or other discomfort, while others opt for palliative care for hospitalized patients, he says.
“Others may not need or not to consider a hospice, and they can say …” I will live my life as much as possible now and when I will be more symptomatic and that I will need more support, so I will be in contact, “explains Dr. Morris.
Treatment at this stage is not focused on cancer healing, but on the treatment of symptoms and comfort. The choices will depend on your objectives and the state of your overall health.
Palliative care
“We [also] Work with psychologists and psychiatrists in order to treat the emotional aspects of being at this time of your life, “explains Morris.” The particular mixture [of care] It depends on the patient himself and the way they feel and what they would like this experience to look like. »»
- Analgesics such as steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), drug pain, opioids or muscle relaxants
- Anti-nausea drugs
- Radiotherapy to treat areas that cause pain
- Relaxation techniques such as guided imaging, deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation to reduce stress, anxiety, pain and even nausea and vomiting
- Speech therapy
Palliative care
“When you have exhausted all the therapeutic options for prostate cancer or all cancer, the first thing I recommend is that my patients get in the hospice as soon as possible,” said Pienta. “In this country, we use a hospice much later than we should.”
Entering the hospice early means more support at home or in an establishment to manage problems as they appear, such as pain and loss of body function. “This optimizes the quality of their life for life to live,” explains Pienta.
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