Today’s question comes from Nestor in Hayward who asks “My uncle has end stage cancer and is in pain. He is in hospice right now and has maybe 2 months to live. He doesn’t want to live the rest of his life suffering in pain. I heard that there was a law which was passed that would allow someone to talk to their doctor and get assistance in ending their life. Is this true? “
Nestor, my heart goes out to you and your uncle. I had a woman who was like my mother that died slowly of cancer. She talked about taking control of her death but she couldn’t because it was illegal for her doctor to even discuss “suicide” with her much less help her. As of October 5th, 2015, your uncle has options in taking control of his death as Governor Brown has signed into law ABx-15, the End of Life Option Act.