Commentary on Alsirafy et al. The use of opioids at the end-of-life and the survival of Egyptian palliative care patients with advanced cancer

Alsirafy and colleagues present an insightful article on the use of opioids at the end-of-life for Egyptian palliative care oncology patients and their length of survival. Myths of opioids are commonplace around the world, especially in areas where there are negative historical contexts related to opioids or where opioids are not available (and thus the benefits are not obvious). In Egypt, opioids are available, but myths persist. The authors address one of the main myths in their culture, that the use of opioids will hasten death.