Recognizing severe symptoms of cancer help families prepare for the worst.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — There are various factors that can influence development cancer in each patient. Some patients can achieve recovery with various existing therapies, but others may experience worsening. When the cancer has progressed to an advanced stage, some specific physical symptoms may occur.
According to Cancer Research UK, these specific physical symptoms often appear as death approaches. Recognizing these symptoms can help family, relatives and friends to prepare for the worst.
“When death is very close, you may experience some physical changes,” says Cancer Research UK ExpressFriday (3/6/2022).
One of these physical changes is a change in breathing patterns. Another change is loss of voiding control and consciousness.
In addition to these three physical changes, Cancer Research UK also reveals some changes that are often experienced by end-stage cancer patients. Some of these include difficulty swallowing, restless movements, loss of appetite, noisy breathing, cold legs and arms, and confusion or disorientation.
Not all of these symptoms will appear at the same time. Some patients may experience only a few symptoms. There are also patients who do not experience any changes, but eventually die in their sleep.
Cancer Research UK says these changes are a natural part of the body losing its various functions. How long this process takes will vary from person to person. This near-death physical change is considered similar to the process of a large machine being deactivated for the last time.
Although it is easy to understand in words, seeing these changes in cancer patients firsthand is not an easy thing for family and relatives. It is very difficult emotionally to see the patient through these changes.
“But these changes are a natural process of death. Not that the person feels uncomfortable or difficult,” said Cancer Research UK.
According to Cancer Research UK, patients experiencing these changes are entering the final stages of life care. Cancer patients at this stage will usually be given medical therapy to relieve pain and assistance.
The role of these caregivers is to help the patient go through the death process as comfortably as possible. Situations like this are also often moments where families help and support each other.
It’s not just cancer patients’ pain that’s important to manage. The pain felt by those left behind also needs to be managed properly.
“You yourself (as a family or relative) may need support and assistance when someone close to you is dying,” concluded Cancer Research UK.
Cancer Research UK encourages caregivers to always be by the patient’s side and show that they love and care for the patient. This is an important thing to do. The health agency also appealed to the patient’s companion to cherish the last days with the patient.
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