Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness like cancer. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The aim of Palliative care is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Palliative care is multi-disciplinary team which includes specially trained doctors (Oncologists in cancer care), nurses, counselors/ psychologist, social workers and a priest or a chaplain. These specialist work together to help a family affected by cancer, not only deal with the illness but also aspects of emotional burden, arranging for finances and even spiritual guidance.
Palliative care is based on the needs of the patient irrespective of patient’s prognosis. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in cancer treatment and it can be provided along with curative treatment. In fact ideally Palliative care should be integrated with the treatment plan at the time of cancer diagnosis, irrespective of the intent of treatment.
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