Overview

Palliative care is a specialised medical care designed to support and comfort people living with a life-limiting or terminal illness, such as cancer. It is an important part of the overall care plan for cancer patients and is designed to help them manage their diagnosis's physical, psychological, and spiritual effects. This blog post will discuss palliative care, why it is important, and how it can benefit cancer patients.

What is palliative care for cancer patients?

Palliative care is an important part of cancer treatment and can provide patients and their families with physical, emotional, and spiritual support.

It is not intended to cure or treat the underlying disease but to provide comfort and relief from the symptoms. Palliative care may be provided alongside curative treatments or as a standalone treatment.

Who Provides Palliative Care?

Doctors who specialise in palliative care are called palliative care physicians and typically have completed specialised training in this field. These physicians work with other healthcare professionals to address physical, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs.

Nurses are integral to the palliative care team and provide direct care to patients and families. They often assess the patient’s needs and collaborate with the physician and other team members to develop individualised care plans.

They also provide support services, such as connecting patients and families to resources and assisting during cancer treatment.

Spiritual care providers may be part of the palliative care team or be consulted when necessary. They are available to discuss faith-based concerns or beliefs that may arise during a patient’s illness.

Combining all these professionals into one team allows the patient and family to receive comprehensive, holistic care that supports their physical and emotional needs.

What Does Palliative Care Include?

Palliative care includes a range of services that focus on relieving the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual suffering of those living with a life-limiting illness. It can include:

- Pain and symptom management
- Emotional support
- Spiritual guidance
- Cancer treatment decision-making
- Advanced care planning

What are the benefits of palliative care?

The benefits of palliative care include the following:

- Symptom Management - Palliative care focuses on relieving pain and other physical symptoms. It also addresses psychological, social, and spiritual needs, helping to reduce suffering. It also includes medications that can reduce pain, fatigue, and nausea and improve sleep and breathing problems.
- Improved Quality of Life - Palliative care can help improve quality of life by providing comfort and support, allowing cancer patients to participate in activities they enjoy, and promoting overall well-being.
- Care Coordination - Palliative care providers coordinate with other healthcare professionals to ensure that a cancer treatment patient’s overall needs are met. They also work with family members and other caregivers to help make sure that the patient receives the best possible care.
- Comprehensive support - Palliative care provides a comprehensive approach to care that addresses physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs.
- Family-centred care - Palliative care also provides support for families. It helps family members understand the suffering of cancer patients and make informed decisions about treatments. It also assists in providing emotional support during this difficult time.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, talk to your doctor about how palliative care can help you.

When is the best time to seek palliative care?

Palliative care should not be seen as giving up hope but instead as an opportunity for patients to live a better quality of life despite their illness or during treatment.

However, early palliative care can begin as soon as a person is diagnosed with cancer, as it provides access to resources and support that can help them manage symptoms from the very beginning.

Early palliative care can help people cope with the psychological impact of their diagnosis and make decisions about treatment options best suited to their needs.

In addition to the psychological benefits, early palliative care can help reduce medical costs.

The best time to seek palliative care will depend on each individual’s unique needs and situation. Speak with your doctor or healthcare provider to learn how palliative care can help you or a loved one with cancer.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Oncology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Treating cancer is a long-term procedure that can cause long-lasting effects affecting your day-to-day activities. Palliative and supportive care can help you recover from the late or long-term effects of cancer therapy. Once you have identified a provider, it is important to communicate your needs with them. Explain the type of care you require and any other special needs you have so that they can tailor the plan to meet your needs best.

If you are experiencing tiredness or other late effects of treatment, consider taking palliative care.

FAQs About Cancer Treatment

Q. How do I access palliative care and supportive care? A. Accessing palliative care and supportive care can be done in several different ways. You can ask your doctor or medical team to provide a referral to a palliative care provider. You can also contact your local hospital, hospice, or cancer centre for more information about palliative care.

Q. How do I choose palliative care suitable for my treatment? A. If you are unsure about what type of palliative care is right for you, it may be helpful to talk to someone at your hospital or cancer centre who can discuss the different options available to you and provide additional information about each option.

Q. Does insurance cover the cost of palliative care and supportive care? A. Different insurance providers will cover different levels of care and may have different requirements for coverage. You must check with your insurance provider to understand what is covered and how to access the necessary care.

Q. Where Can I Get More Information about Palliative Care? A. If you or a loved one are facing cancer treatment, palliative care can be an essential part of your care. To learn more about the range of options available to improve the quality of life for patients and their families, you can contact your doctor or cancer specialist. Your doctor or cancer specialist can also provide information regarding palliative care. They can provide you with additional information and answer specific questions. Additionally, they can provide referrals to local providers specialising in palliative care.

References

- https://www.cancer.net/coping-with-cancer/physical-emotional-and-social-effects-cancer/types-palliative-and-supportive-care
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/palliative-care/about/pac-20384637
- https://getpalliativecare.org/whatis/disease-types/covid-19-and-palliative-care/