End-of-Life Cancer Care: Present Scenario and the Future Ahead
Keywords:
End-of-life care, Palliative Care, Oncology, Hospice, India, Community-based modelsAbstract
End-of-life (EOL) care is a relatively new and evolving concept in the Indian oncology landscape, yet it represents a vital component of comprehensive cancer management. With more than 1.4 million new cancer cases and over 0.9 million deaths annually the demand for quality palliative and EOL care services continue to increase. Despite commendable progress in select regions, access remains limited to less than 1% of India’s population. This short communication summarizes the status of EOL care in India, discusses key initiatives and models, and highlights challenges that hinder its effective implementation. It also proposes recommendations and strategic steps toward establishing structured, accessible, and culturally sensitive EOL services across the country.
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References
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