Abstract

The article “For Advanced Cancer, What Treatment Is Next?” (Perspectives on Palliative Nursing, October 2016) provides a perspective on cancer treatment that is both informational and realistic. Physicians and nurses often wait until there is little hope of recovery or until all treatment options have been exhausted before discussing hospice and palliative care options, when they should be discussing these options at the time of diagnosis. Hospice works well when started early. In refraining from discussing hospice and palliative care treatment options and goals of care at the time of diagnosis, we neglect our patient's autonomy.