European advanced cancer patients face palliative care gaps
At the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2014 Congress in Spain, researchers presented study results that revealed significant palliative care gaps in Romania. 

The study, conducted in Romania and Switzerland, found that 17% of patients with advanced, incurable cancer received no palliative care interventions, and 26% did not have their symptoms addressed. 

Although 20% of patients surveyed wanted to discuss end-of-life issues with a healthcare professional, it occurred in just 15% of cases. Romania does not have an independent palliative care specialty, so such care becomes the responsibility of medical oncologists. The findings come as ESMO names 15 sites in Europe, Canada, South America and Africa as “Designated Centers of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care. Link to source>>