Self-absorbed as in absorbed with how others view them. Shallow. "Death with dignity" is just offing yourself before having to face a life with which you're not comfortable. I think more than the potential pain is the potential non-support of the self-absorbed peers that don't want to deal with someone who has a terminal illness.
I disagree with your interpretation - in terminal cancer she does not have peers any longer, for while people may live side by side, together, they die alone. And her not having peers means there are no people whose "support" she would be able to use [and thus need] anyway.