Advanced Cancer Patients Should Receive Palliative Care Soon After Diagnosis, Guidelines Suggest
Patients with advanced cancer should see a dedicated palliative care team composed of a doctor, advanced practice nurse, social worker and chaplain starting early in their diagnosis, according to guidelines issued by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), says the Johns Hopkins doctor who is the senior author. These guidelines, say Thomas J. Smith, […]
What does palliative care during my cancer treatment do for my family caregivers?
Palliative care isn’t just for cancer patients. The palliative care team can support your family and caregivers as well as you during your cancer treatment. Our expert team can provide your family and caregivers: A communication bridge to facilitate communication between you, your family and your treatment team; Relief for the stress, worry and sadness […]
Does palliative care help me with more than cancer pain?
While pain relief is important, relief of other symptoms such as nausea, fatigue and shortness of breath also may be a part of your palliative care. You might seek palliative care for emotional, social or spiritual support, rather than for your physical pain or symptoms. Care teams include experts such as physicians, nurses, social workers […]
When can I receive palliative care during my cancer treatment?
When you’re a cancer patient, every day matters. To ease your symptoms and stress, you may receive palliative care, if appropriate, right from the time of your diagnosis. You also can ask your doctor or nurse for your palliative care options at any point during your treatment, since palliative care can be coupled with curative […]
How do I decide whether to seek palliative care as a cancer patient?
When you’re considering palliative care as part of your cancer treatment, consider these criteria for deciding whether it’s right for you. How severe is your illness? Palliative care addresses serious or chronic diseases, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and Alzheimer’s, among many other diseases. Do you need emotional, physical or spiritual support? Palliative care isn’t just for […]
What is palliative care and what does it mean for me as a cancer patient?
According to experts at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, palliative care is “ease without curing.” Its focus is improving the quality of life for seriously ill patients, helping you to carry on with your daily life while you undergo treatment, and helping you tolerate medical treatments. Palliative care includes three key approaches: • pain […]
1 2