What Are the Diagnoses for Which Most People Request MAID?

The most common diagnoses of patients who request medical aid in dying (MAID) include cancer, neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and dementia, respiratory diseases such as COPD, and heart disease. Among these patient populations, patients with cancer are the most likely to request MAID; 74% of patients across 9 jurisdictions were found to have a cancer diagnosis at the time of the request. Since many patients fear the loss of autonomy, poor quality of life, and inability to care for themselves at the end of life, they may consider MAID as a way to retain control and achieve a death that aligns with their values and preferences. 

A study examining 18 years of data pertaining to patient utilization of MAID in Oregon demonstrated similar findings regarding patients diagnosed with cancer and other forms of terminal illness. These findings were based on 991 patients who died following self-administration of a MAID medication regimen. The most common diagnoses were:

• Cancer: 762 patients (77.1%)
  • Lung cancer: 177 patients (17.9%)
  • Breast cancer: 73 patients (7.4%)
  • Pancreatic cancer: 63 patients (6.4%)
  • Colon cancer: 61 patients (6.2%)
  • Prostate cancer: 40 patients (4.0%)
  • Ovarian cancer: 36 patients (3.6%)
    
• Other diagnoses: 312 patients (31.6%)
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: 79 patients (8.0%) 
  • Respiratory disease: 44 patients (4.5%)
  • Cardiac disease: 26 patients (2.6%)
  • HIV/AIDS: 9 patients (0.9%) 
  • Other illnesses: 68 patients (6.9%)
  • Unknown: 3 patients 

While these findings provide insight into chronic disease prevalence among patients requesting MAID, it is important to consider that these are generalizations drawn based on limited access to MAID in the United States. Although it helps in conceptualizing the most common diagnoses among patients who request assistance, it remains challenging to fully quantify how these percentages might shift if MAID were an approved practice nationwide. Another important factor to consider is that patient utilization and access to MAID may vary based on insurance coverage, income or patient eligibility. In instances where MAID is financially prohibitive to patients or they aren’t eligible, their diagnoses are not represented in these findings.

Sources

“Medical Aid in Dying: Ethical and Practical Issues”. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10184842/ 

“Cancer Patients Most Likely to Use Medical Aid in Dying”. Cancer Therapy Advisor. https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/news/cancer-patients-most-likely-to-use-medical-aid-in-dying/ 

“Characterizing 18 Years of the Death With Dignity Act in Oregon”. JAMA Network. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5824315/