A recent UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the UCLA Palliative Care Research Center-led study suggests that not all cancer patients are 100% satisfied with their treatment. The findings are outlined in a UCLA Health article by Denise Heady, MA.
When asked about treatment preferences, 37% of advanced cancer patients receiving care to extend their lives reported that they wanted the focus to be alleviating their symptoms and making them comfortable. Significantly less patients with other severe conditions said they weren’t receiving their preferred treatment. Notably, only about a quarter of patients in each illness group said they want their treatment to be focused on prolonging life. Instead, nearly half expressed strong preferences for symptom control and comfort. Patients with other serious illnesses were more likely to receive comfort-focused care, based on the study findings.
The researchers said a patient’s age could influence their care paths, stating “younger age and better baseline health among cancer patients may lead to more aggressive treatment approaches, even when not aligned with patients’ stated preferences.”
These findings underscore the importance of advocating for yourself. The study’s first author, Dr. Manan Shah, clinical instructor in the division of hematology/oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA emphasized in Heady’s article, “Patients should always feel empowered to speak up. If they feel their care isn’t aligned with their goals, we want to know. As physicians, we always want to adjust treatment to meet our patients where they are. These crucial conversations can change the course of care and optimize patients’ quality of life.”
