Document Type : Review Article
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Abstract
In spite of considerable advances in medical sciences, cancer is one of the major causes of death in the world. Cancer is one of the most important diseases of the time and is considered as the second cause of mortality after cardiovascular diseases. The rate of cancer-related deaths in the world was estimated to be about 7.9 million individuals (about 13% of all deaths) in 2007. Cancer patients suffer from depression, anxiety, unrealistic fear of death, and reduction of social energy. Moreover, continuous hospitalization and concerns for the patients and their families lead these patients towards mental disorders.
Ethical issues are highly challenging in cancer patients. Some cancer patients may not be in an appropriate mental state to decide regarding increasing the life span or decreasing the life quality and its complications. In any event, the patients’ decision must be respected.
The present study aimed to investigate the clinical relationship between the cancer patients and the physicians as well as nurses. Such a relationship involves all the stages from screening to creation of trust between the patients and the physicians. Furthermore, euthanasia has been investigated in various cultures and different levels of interaction between the patients and physicians have been assessed. Finally, strategies have been recommended for improving the physicians’ and nurses’ interaction with these patients.
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