Medication use in older, terminally ill cancer patients: Are all medications appropriate? A longitudinal audit

Abstract

Background: Terminally ill cancer patients with limited life expectancies (LLEs) are often prescribed multiple medications to control acute symptoms associated with cancer such as dyspnoea, pain, nausea and vomiting, and anxiety. Medications are also commonly prescribed to prevent or treat other common, long-term comorbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia.1 Early identification of unnecessary preventive medications at the end of life can improve quality of life. Limited research has investigated whether preventive medications are withdrawn in patients with terminal cancer. The aim of this project was to evaluate the prevalence of preventive medication use in terminally ill cancer patients with LLE of 6 months or less.