Palliative care can be given at the same time as treatments meant to cure or treat the disease. Palliative care may be given when the illness is diagnosed, throughout treatment, during follow-up, and at the end of life. Palliative care may be offered for people with illnesses, such as : Cancer.

Palliative care is care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease, such as cancer. Palliative care is an approach to care that addresses the person as a whole, not just their disease. The goal is to prevent or treat, as early as possible, the symptoms and side effects of the disease and its treatment, in addition to any related psychological, social, and spiritual problems. Palliative care is also called comfort care, supportive care, and symptom management. Patients may receive palliative care in the hospital, an outpatient clinic, or at home.

The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life. Palliative care specialists treat people suffering from many serious disease types and chronic illnesses.

Focusing on the symptoms of both the disease and the treatment, palliative care helps you with a wide range of issues, including pain, depression, anxiety, fatigue, shortness of breath, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. It also helps you gain the strength to carry on with daily life. It improves your ability to tolerate medical treatments. And it helps you have more control over your care by improving your understanding of your choices for treatment.

It also helps your family caregivers and provides practical support. Patients having the following serious illness may require the Palliative care either in a clinic or in their home.

Emotional, social, and coping problems. Patients and their families face stress during illness that can lead to fear, anxiety, hopelessness, or depression. Family members may take on care giving, even if they also have jobs and other duties Spiritual issues. When people are challenged by illness, they may look for meaning or question their faith. A palliative care team may help patients and families explore their beliefs and values so they can move toward acceptance and peace.

The physical and emotional effects of cancer and its treatment may be very different from person to person. Palliative care can address a broad range of issues, integrating an individual's specific needs into care. A palliative care specialist will take the following issues into account for each patient:

Physical. Common physical symptoms include pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and insomnia.

Emotional and Coping. Palliative care specialists can provide resources to help patients and families deal with the emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment. Depression, anxiety, and fear are only a few of the concerns that can be addressed through palliative care.

Spiritual. With a cancer diagnosis, patients and families often look more deeply for meaning in their lives. Some find the disease brings them closer to their faith or spiritual beliefs, whereas others struggle to understand why cancer happened to them. An expert in palliative care can help people explore their beliefs and values so that they can find a sense of peace or reach a point of acceptance that is appropriate for their situation.

Caregiver Needs. Family members are an important part of cancer care. Like the patient, they have changing needs. It's common for family members to become overwhelmed by the extra responsibilities placed upon them. Many find it hard to care for a sick relative while trying to handle other obligations, such as work, household duties, and caring for other family members. 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. This includes talking about advance directives and facilitating communication among family member, caregivers, and members of the oncology care team.

Research shows that palliative care and its many components are beneficial to patient and family health and well-being. In recent years, some studies have shown that integrating palliative care into a patient's usual cancer care soon after a diagnosis of advanced cancer can improve their quality of life and mood, and may prolong survival

Palliative care is often misunderstood and some people believe things about it that aren't true.

MYTH: If I need palliative care it means I'll have to go to a palliative care centre

FACT: You can receive palliative care in a range of settings including in your home, a hospital, a care home or a palliative care centre.

MYTH: If I have palliative care it means my doctors have given up and I'll no longer receive active treatment for my illness

FACT: You can receive palliative care alongside treatments for your illness, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

MYTH: Having palliative care means I'm going to die soon

FACT: You can receive palliative care at any point in your illness. Some people receive palliative care for years, while others will receive care in their last weeks or days.

MYTH: If I have palliative care I'll no longer be seen by other specialists who know about my particular disease

FACT: You can receive palliative care alongside care from the specialists who have been treating your particular illness.

MYTH: Palliative care is just about treating pain and other physical symptoms

FACT: Palliative care aims to provide a holistic approach to give you the best quality of life possible. This means caring for all your physical, emotional, psychological, social and other needs.

MYTH: Palliative care isn't for family and friends

FACT: Palliative care teams are aware that your illness may have a big impact on your family members and friends. Palliative care teams do what they can to help people cope.