Voluntary assisted dying in gynaecological cancers: A discussion of the history, ethical principles and international perspectives

Anthony M Richards; Melissa J McGauran

doi:10.1111/ajo.13475

Voluntary assisted dying in gynaecological cancers: A discussion of the history, ethical principles and international perspectives

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2022 Apr;62(2):214-218. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13475. Epub 2022 Jan 7.

Authors

Anthony M Richards^{1

2}, Melissa J McGauran³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Level 7, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
³ Department of Gynaecology Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

PMID: 34994397
DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13475

Abstract

Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) is a provocative and ethically charged subject that will potentially be an increasing component of our clinical practice. This paper aims to give the history of VAD, ethical principles, controversies and international perspectives regarding the laws in each jurisdiction. It provides a discussion on the topic with respect to gynaecological oncology to enable clinicians to feel more comfortable with this difficult subject.

Keywords: gynaecological cancer; voluntary assisted dying; voluntary euthanasia.

MeSH terms

Humans
Internationality
Neoplasms*
Suicide, Assisted*