Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan for Michigan, 2009-2015 Goals (2009 - 2015): End-of-Life Care
Goal: By 2015, prevent and reduce avoidable suffering up to, and during, the last phase of life for persons with cancer by specified data markers.
Data Over the next three decades, Michigan’s population aged 65 and older is expected to increase by approximately 60 percent. In 2005, it was estimated that about 40 percent of persons with cancer will not survive five years after the original diagnosis.1 In 2009, 23.4 percent of deaths in Michigan were due to cancer.2
Experts maintain that pain and symptoms can be controlled in at least 95 percent of cases. Yet, in 2008, caregivers report that 40.3 percent of terminally ill patients have severe pain at the end-of-life, with 56.1 percent of cancer decedents suffering severe pain during their final months.3
In 2010, there were 26 counties in Michigan had palliative care programs, up from 15 in 2006. In 2009, 39.2 percent of patients who used hospice in Michigan had cancer.4 The use of hospice has increased in recent years, but the length of stay has not improved. In 2009, 43.2 percent of hospice recipients in Michigan died less than seven days after admittance.4
End-of-Life Care Health Disparities Data
In 2008, caregivers in Michigan minority population groups also reported high levels of pain experienced by their loved one at the end of their life.5
Special attention is needed for culturally competent palliative care and communication with patient and family. Eliciting culturally based attitudes and beliefs and implementing universal strategies for clear communication is essential in reducing the stress levels that are experienced by patients and caregivers in some minority groups.
1 Michigan Department of Community Health, Vital Records and Health Data Development Section. Survival data from the Michigan Cancer Surveillance Program are developed through passive surveillance of mortality by matching the registry with state and national mortality files.
2 2006 Michigan Resident Death File, Vital Records & Health Data Development Section, Michigan Department of Community Health; Population Estimate (latest update 9/2007), National Center for Health Statistics, U.S. Census Populations with Bridged Race Categories; National Center for Health Statistics, Deaths: Final Data for 2004. National Vital Statistics Reports; Vol. 55, No. 19.
3 Michigan Public Health Institute (Cancer Control Services Program) and Michigan Department of Community Health (Cancer Prevention and Control Section). Special Cancer Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (SCBRFS), 2006. Available online at www.michigancancer.org/Resources/ SpecialMCCReports.cfm.
4 National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. 2006 National Summary of Hospice Care SUPPLEMENT: State Comparison Report, December 2007. Available online at www.nhpco.org/nds.
5 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures, 2008.
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