What does palliative care treat?

Palliative care is specialist support for comfort, communication, and quality of life. It can address physical symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, nausea, constipation, tiredness, sleep difficulty, and loss of appetite. It can also help with fear, sadness, family strain, treatment decisions, and planning for care at home. The team may include doctors, nurses, counsellors, social workers, pharmacists, or spiritual-care professionals.

This care can be offered alongside cancer treatment at any stage; receiving it does not by itself mean that cancer treatment has stopped. Support may be relevant for people living with Cervical Cancer, Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Malignant Ascites, or Malignant Pleural Effusion, among other serious conditions.

Tell the oncology team which symptom limits eating, sleep, movement, or time with family. Keep a simple record of when symptoms occur, what worsens them, and which medicines help. Ask for a review of all medicines, including over-the-counter products. The team can discuss equipment, home support, nutrition, advance care preferences, and ways to help family members cope.

Seek urgent medical help for severe breathlessness, new confusion, uncontrolled pain, repeated vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, sudden weakness, or heavy bleeding. A rapidly enlarging abdomen, severe abdominal pain, or sudden breathing difficulty can require prompt assessment, especially when fluid has collected around the abdomen or lungs. Use the emergency service for collapse, blue lips, or difficulty staying awake.

Which symptoms can your palliative team treat? Can support begin alongside my current cancer treatment? Who should my family call outside clinic hours? What home services, equipment, or counselling are available?