Palliative care in cancer

Neethu Sheri Kurian

Content Specialist
4baseCare

Palliative care is an approach that improves the overall quality of life of patients suffering from debilitating diseases including cancer or any other life threatening conditions, and their families by relieving their pain and make them more comfortable. It can be given to the patients with or without curative care (medical care). Report of the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance says that globally, only less than 10% of the overall need for palliative care is being seen. The aim of palliative care in cancer is to overcome the symptoms and side effects due to its treatment as early as possible and also manage the psychological, social, and spiritual problems of patients and their caregivers. Patients can receive palliative care in the hospital, isolated clinics, and at home for long-term under the direction of a licensed health care provider. Anyone can receive palliative care irrespective of their age or stage of the cancer.

Various researches have shown that palliative care is beneficial for cancer patients and their family’s health and well-being to overcome broad range of issues which are related to individual’s specific needs. It also helpful in improving survival rate among cancer patients. Moreover, the American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that palliative care should be received by all patients with advanced cancer.

Palliative care may be provided at any point during cancer. It can start from diagnosis to the end of life. The patients can receive palliative care along with cancer treatment. Private health insurance usually covers palliative care services for cancer patients, like Medicare B and Medicaid pay for some medical services like symptom management. If patients do not have any health insurance, they should check with a social worker.

Trained palliative care specialists

Palliative care can be given by a specialist or health care practitioners who have receive special certification or training. These specialist could be a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, dietician, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, or social workers. Palliative care team work with cancer treating doctors and nurses to manage a patient’s care and try to provide best possible quality of life. Palliative specialists also support patients with physical, emotional, social, and spiritual care.

Palliative care for physical, social, spiritual and emotional issues in cancer patients

Cancer patients and their families face many physical and emotional challenges which varies differently from one patient to other. A palliative care specialist try to improve the quality of life by addressing the following issues:

Physical issues

Cancer patients commonly face certain types of physical symptoms that can be addressed by palliative care specialist include pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and insomnia.

Emotional issues

Palliative care specialists provides resources to help cancer patients and their families to deal with the emotional issues which is due to diagnosis of cancer in family and challenges associated with the cancer treatment. Some of the emotional issues of the concern are depression, anxiety, and fear.

Spiritual issues

When a person diagnosed with cancer, patient and their families often look deeply for meaning in their lives. Some individuals have faith that due to this life-threatening disease, they get closer to God and increase their faith or spiritual beliefs while others struggle to understand why cancer happened to them. An expert palliative care can help patients and families to explore their beliefs and values to achieve sense of peace or make them ready to accept that it is appropriate for their situation.

Issues of caregiver needs

Families and friends are playing an important part in the life of cancer patients by providing them comfort and extra care. Like patients, caregivers have also changing needs. Many caregivers find it difficult to care for their loved one who is sick with their obligations, such as job, household duties, and taking care of their family. Uncertainty about how to help their loved one with medical situations, inadequate social support, and emotions such as worry and fear can also add to caregiver stress.

These challenges can compromise caregivers’ own health. Palliative care specialists can help families and friends cope and give them the support they need.

Practical needs

Palliative care specialists can also assist with financial and legal worries, insurance questions, and employment concerns. Discussing the goals of care is also an important component of palliative care. Such discussions can also include talking about advance directives and help guiding communication among family members, caregivers, and members of the oncology care team.

REFERENCES :

1. Agarwal R, Epstein AS. The Role of Palliative Care in Oncology. Semin Intervent Radiol. 2017; 34(4): 307-12.
2. Palliative Cancer Care Guidelines: Palliative Care Standards, Cancer Pain, Dyspnea (medscape.com)
3. Palliative care (who.int)
4. Palliative Care in Cancer – NCI