Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book gives an overview of the fading away process and describes the trigger for its beginning. It describes the components in more depth and explores palliative care practitioners guidelines for care of the patient and family. Palliative care enables people with a terminal illness to live in comfort and dignity until they die. The goal shifts from curative, life-prolonging care to the control of physical symptoms, and to psychosocial and spiritual concerns. The type of care is not an extension of accepted techniques and attitudes, but a sensitive response to the holistic needs of people whose life is coming to an end. Because palliative care practitioners view the family as the primary unit of care, they need a comprehensive understanding of the terminal stage of cancer as experienced by the family, including the patient.