| |
| Why would I want Palliative Care ? |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
Palliative care providers are interested in what is bothering you and what is important to you. They want to know how you and your loved ones are doing day-to-day. They understand that your illness affects not just you, but also those you love.
Your palliative care providers will ask questions about how your illness affects your emotions and spirit. Then they will try to make sure that your medical care meets your goals for your body, mind, and spirit. They will also help you make future plans around your health and medical care.
You might see a palliative care provider just once or maybe more often. He or she will work with your other doctors to give you the best care possible. |
 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| Who is involved in Palliative Care ? |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
| Palliative care actively involves you and your loved ones. Together you will work with health care providers in your doctor's office or your home, or in a hospital, nursing home, or hospice. If you are interested in palliative care, talk with your doctor. He or she may be able to manage your palliative care needs or may refer you to someone who is trained in palliative care. |
| |
|
Many hospitals now have palliative care teams. These teams often include palliative care doctors, nurses, and social workers. The teams may also include spiritual advisors, dietitians, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, and volunteers. |
| |
| What is palliative treatment and when should it be used ? |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
 |
Palliative treatment is designed to relieve symptoms, and improve your quality of life. It can be used at any stage of an illness if there are troubling symptoms, such as pain or sickness. Palliative treatment can also mean using medicines to reduce or control the side effects of cancer treatments. In advanced cancer, palliative treatment may help someone to live longer and to live comfortably, even if they cannot be cured.
Palliative treatment is not limited to painkillers and anti sickness drugs. Cancer treatments can also reduce or get rid of symptoms. For example, cancer treatment may help to reduce pain by shrinking a tumour and reducing pressure on nerves or surrounding tissues. Treatment used in this way include
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Hormone Therapy
Biological Therapy
Radiofrequency Ablation
Cryotherapy |
|
| |
You may have some side effects from palliative cancer treatments. But the aim is to make you feel better, so your cancer specialist will try to choose treatments that have as few side effects as possible. |
| |
| We have information on ways to cope physically with cancer and information about managing your symptoms in the last few weeks or months of life. |
| |
| |
| |
