Number and Necessity of Tests Performed In the Last Week of Life of a Cancer Patient

During the last few months of life patients often suffer from significant psychological and physical distress. Studies in the past have found that the amount of tests conducted on a patient tends to increase as death approaches. In many cases the tests performed on a patient in the last few months of life were unnecessary, causing needless discomfort. This study focuses on the number and necessity of tests conducted in the last week of life of a terminal cancer patient.