Palliative Care

Cancer is a life-changing diagnosis for you and your family. Many times, cancer brings on a host of unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms. Palliative care is a holistic approach that helps ease the suffering of cancer patients and cancer survivors. The goal is to provide the best possible quality of life at every stage of treatment, starting at diagnosis.

Support and Comfort Care During Cancer

Our palliative care team treats the whole patient – not just cancer. The goal is to prevent and relieve pain and distressing symptoms as early as possible to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative care is an added layer of support during treatment.

Our palliative care providers are members of your Memorial Cancer Institute cancer care team. They spend time with you and your family to understand and address your needs, which may include:

• Physical care: We help you manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue, changes in appetite, vomiting, shortness of breath and sleep difficulties.
• Emotional and spiritual care: We help patients and caregivers cope with depression, anxiety and unrest that often accompany a life-threatening illness.
• Decision support: We help you and your family understand your illness so you can make informed medical decisions.
• Caregiver support: We help caregivers manage the overwhelming responsibilities of caring for a loved one while also managing a home, work and other responsibilities.
• Practical support: We provide guidance for issues such as advanced care planning and referrals to social and community resources.

What is the Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice Care?

Both palliative and hospice care seek to improve the quality of life for patients but differ in their goals.

• Palliative care provides relief and comfort to patients and families during medical treatment to prolong life.
• Hospice care does not prolong life but improves the quality of a patient’s remaining days.

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