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Palliative care is a unique field where women occupy every conceivable role: patients, medical and non-medical professionals, managers, organisers, leaders, and founders. In this digest, we aim to explore women from all these perspectives. In curating this edition, we prioritised the relevance and depth of articles rather than their recency.
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Breaking Barriers to Palliative Care
The study lists factors that can enhance access to palliative care for socially disadvantaged women, such as peer support, patient advocacy groups, trustworthy patient-provider relationships, and community involvement. Despite the proven benefits of early palliative care, Black and Latina women with breast cancer receive it 40% less often than other patients. The authors identify significant barriers, including language and cultural differences, lack of awareness regarding palliative care, poor communication between healthcare providers, and structural racism and propose an adapted culturally and socially inclusive palliative care model to address these disparities.
At the Origins and at the Helm — Towards Equity
The British Journal of Cancer Research highlights women's pivotal role in shaping palliative care and their ongoing leadership in its development. Despite their influence, women from twelve countries report persistent gender stereotypes and limited leadership opportunities in the field. However, palliative care remains one of the few medical specialities where women can redefine professional roles and establish a more inclusive model. This field may serve as a blueprint for broader gender equity in other traditionally male-dominated areas of medicine.
Patient Age and Gender: A Systematic Review
A comprehensive analysis of studies examining the correlation between patient gender, age, and access to palliative care reveals significant findings. Women receive palliative care less frequently than men but are more often caregivers for terminally ill patients. Older adults generally receive less active symptom management than younger patients, while men are more likely to undergo aggressive end-of-life interventions compared to women. Women are more likely to die in hospice or at home, whereas men tend to pass away in hospitals. These insights emphasise the importance of considering gender and age factors when planning palliative care services.
“Expecting”. Perinatal Palliative Care
Expectant parents facing a life-limiting fetal diagnosis endure profound stress, yet their journey is significantly shaped by the quality of communication and the support available to them. The study identifies three key strategies of perinatal palliative care that assist parents in navigating this situation: comprehensive information sharing, shared decision-making, and compassionate guidance from healthcare providers. The article presents real-life scripts used in the study—excellent examples of empathetic, respectful communication in palliative care. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved medical training and a structured support system for those affected families.
Essential Package of Palliative Care for Women in Low-Resource Environments
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, disproportionately affecting those in low-income regions. An international team of experts assessed the palliative care needs of these women and developed a comprehensive palliative care package (EPPCCC). The package includes pain management, psychological support, social services, and end-of-life care, tailored for countries with limited access to healthcare. This tool aims to reduce patient suffering and ensure that, even in resource-constrained settings, women with cervical cancer receive adequate care. More on the EPPCCC in the article.