Case Analyses of Terminally Ill Cancer Patients who Refused to Sign a Living Will

In a larger survey of fifty cancer patients offered living wills, six individuals declined to sign these advance directives. Theoretically, this failure to sign could either increase the chance for, or alternatively the patients' vulnerability to, resuscitation. A detailed evaluation of each of the six cases is contained herein. The potential value of living wills is discussed in the context of other, newer forms of advance directives, such as the durable power of attorney for health care, and a more detailed living will called the “Medical Directive.” It is concluded that the case for a living will in a cancer population still merits individual consideration, and in certain cases protects patients from unwarranted medical technology.