How do cancer patients know when the end is near?

They usually do not: It is notoriously difficult to predict terminal events. Patients are not likely to have any more insight than care givers.

Many well: Intentioned care providers withhold information, offer more treament, and don't come clean about the fact that: losing weight, not eating; having no appetite; spending increasing to all one's time in bed or chair signal approaching end. Inability to control bowels and blader and losing consciousness can occur before breathing ceases. Invite palliative care in early ...Before the end is near.