Wish to hasten death in Indian oncology: Interpreting suffering at the bedside

In clinical oncology, expressions of a wish to hasten death (WTHD) are frequently encountered and often misinterpreted as a desire to die. More commonly, they reflect unrelieved suffering. This perspective examines WTHD within the multidimensional context of physical, psychological, and existential distress in advanced cancer. In Indian settings, family-centered decision-making and variable disclosure practices shape how such expressions emerge and are interpreted. Early palliative care and therapeutic communication can identify potentially reversible contributors, alleviate suffering, and preserve dignity.