The experience of advanced cancer patientsand their families : A descriptive literature review

Background:Due to population aging, the global incidence of cancer is on the rise, and cancer has become the leading cause of death worldwide. Palliative care, as a specialized supportive therapy, aims to improve the end-of-life experience of patients with advanced cancer and their families by alleviating symptoms caused by cancer. However, there are significant differences in service quality and accessibility. Understanding the experiences of patients with advanced cancer and their families can help nurses better understand their needs and provide support, improve the quality of care.Aim:The aim of the study is to describe the experience of advanced cancer patients and their families.Design:The design of this study is a descriptive literature reviewMethod:Ten articles were retrieved from PubMed to answer the purpose of this review. By reading the selected articles, the authors collate and compare their results and summarize the experience of advanced cancer patients and their families.Result:Through an inductive analysis of 10 articles describing the experiences of patients with advanced cancer and/or their families,we summarized the results into four themes:(1) Physiological impact (2) Psychological changes (3)Spiritual experience (4) Social support.Conclusion:This study highlights the multifaceted challenges faced by patients with advanced cancer and their families. Insight into these experiences can guide healthcare professionals to optimize palliative care interventions, and nurses are able to play a key role between medical interventions and holistic patient-centered care, ultimately promoting dignity, autonomy, compassion, and effectiveness throughout the palliative care process.