Understanding palliative care: Whole-person support for cancer patients

Jul 18 11:30am | Angie Murad, Patient Educator | @muradangie

Article written in collaboration with Mayo Clinic Palliative Care Providers.

Many patients who visit the Stephen and Barbara Slaggie Family Cancer Education Center or attend our classes are not aware of the specialized medical attention that palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) can provide to people with a serious illness, including a cancer diagnosis. Palliative care offers patient-centered support that addresses the mind, body, and spirit—for the patient as well as their loved ones.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care uses a team-based approach to provide an extra layer of support in managing symptoms and side effects from cancer or its treatments. The palliative care team includes doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, social workers, chaplains, pharmacists and music therapists in addition to the patient’s primary care and oncology care team. Palliative care is appropriate for patients of any age and at any stage of cancer, regardless of whether they are receiving active treatment.

Palliative care providers work closely with you and your care team to treat a wide range of symptoms and concerns, including:

Pain
Nausea
Difficulty sleeping
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Breathing problems
Constipation
Anxiety
Depression
Emotional or spiritual distress

Managing symptoms and improving quality of life can include both medicine and non-medicine strategies. Palliative care also supports caregivers and families. The team can assess your needs and connect you with helpful resources at Mayo Clinic. Some strategies include integrative and supportive therapies such as acupressure, aromatherapy, Reiki, music therapy, and relaxation techniques.

How palliative care works at Mayo Clinic

Your palliative care team will meet with you and your family to support you during your cancer journey. They will discuss ways to manage and reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

To prepare for your initial consultation, it is recommended to:

Make a list of your symptoms—note what makes them better or worse
Review or bring a copy of your current medicines and supplements you take, including dosages and frequency
Bring a family member or friend with you
Bring documents such as advance directives or living wills

Examples of what may be included in the care plan:

Symptom management – Recommendations for managing physical and emotional symptoms.
Support – Guidance for navigating difficult decisions related to your illness.
Relaxation techniques – Techniques such as breathing exercises, healing touch, meditation, or music therapy.
Referrals – Recommendations to other specialists, such as psychiatry, pain medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation or integrative medicine.
Advance care planning – Conversations about your care goals and wishes, which can help guide the development of documents like living wills, advance directives, and healthcare powers of attorney.

Myths surrounding palliative care

Some patients and healthcare providers believe offering palliative care early into patient’s care will shorten their life. This belief comes from a common misunderstanding that palliative care is the same as end-of-life care (also known as hospice care).

Are palliative care and hospice care the same? No, they are not the same. Although both provide care for people with serious illnesses, palliative care can be provided at any stage of the illness, even alongside curative treatment. Patients who enroll in hospice are no longer seeking aggressive or treatment with a cure. People receiving hospice care often are expected to live six months or less.

How to access palliative care at Mayo Clinic

If you are receiving care at Mayo Clinic, ask your oncology or primary care team for a referral to palliative care. If you’re unsure whether your insurance covers this service, contact your insurance provider.

Conclusion

Palliative care offers a unique, patient-centered team approach that supports not only patients but also their loved ones. At Mayo Clinic, palliative care focuses on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. If you think it might be helpful for you or someone you care about, talk to your care team to get a referral.

If you or a loved one received palliative care, what was your experience?