Is Dying of Cancer the Best Way to Die?

The former editor-in-chief of the British Medical Journal once claimed that "dying of cancer is the best death". As a physician, the author harbors reservations concerning the unqualified acceptance of the stated perspective. Drawing upon personal experience with the death of family members from cancer, the author asserts that a good way of death should meet the following criteria: (1) minimal physical pain during the end-of-life phase; (2) presentiments of death from both the patient and their family along with minimal psychological suffering; (3) no unfulfilled desires; (4) the opportunity to bid farewell to family in advance; (5) prior arrangement of posthumous affairs. Suffering from cancer may merely serve as an opportunity to fulfill some of these conditions, but if the needs and wishes of terminally ill patients can be inquired about in advance and efforts are made to meet and realize them, even without the occurrence of cancer, terminally ill patients can depart with dignity in the manner they desire.