PALLIATIVE CARE IN BIOETHIC ONCOLOGICAL PATIENTS

Abstract

The disease and death of the world's population are mainly caused by noncommunicable diseases. It is essential to increase control and research programs in this area. Objective: To describe the palliative care performed in cancer patients. Method: Descriptive study, literature review; from August to November 2018, the Virtual Health Library database was used; found 33 articles published in the last seven years and 3 manuals that corresponded to the researched subject, from which 17 articles and 3 manuals were selected. Results: Three fields were elaborated: palliative care in oncology in the light of bioethics; actions of the nursing staff regarding the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of cancer patients; bioethical issues faced by professionals working in oncology. Conclusion: It is necessary to understand that when therapeutic treatments are interrupted it is because they cause damage to cancer patients and their futile continuity hurts the principles of bioethics of beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy and justice. It is the duty of the nurse to respect these principles and to fight for the rights of patients, providing them with comfort and proper care without prolonging suffering with a painful death or keeping them alive in an obstinate way against the finitude of human nature.