Palliative Care For Cancer Patients: When Can You Start Care?

Any age, any stage.

That’s when palliative care for cancer patients can begin, and you must know.

Palliative care for cancer patients can begin at any stage of the illness, whether just after diagnosis or the more advanced stages of the disease. Palliative care is also available to those of all ages, helping ensure that those facing the challenges of cancer have easy access to support.

We’ll examine palliative care, its benefits for patients, and signs that you should consider starting it. We’ll also review some of the most frequently asked questions we receive on this topic.

What Is Palliative Care and When Should You Start It?

What Is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is a type of care designed to assist those facing a serious, life-limiting illness. It involves symptom management and emotional support.

At Lower Cape Fear Life Care, we understand that a cancer diagnosis affects everyone in your entire family, so we adopt a holistic approach to care. We offer support for everyone in the family, including assistance with practical matters such as advance directives and respite care.

When to Start Palliative Care for Cancer Patients

As we mentioned earlier, palliative care can begin at any age or stage of the disease. Patients often say they wish they had contacted Lower Cape Fear Life Care sooner during their illness.

We encourage you to contact us for palliative care if you’re experiencing:

  • Pain that is difficult to control
  • Nausea
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Difficulty managing self-care
  • Emotional distress

Can I Still Receive Curative Cancer Treatments With Palliative Care?

Yes, you can. This is one of the main differences between palliative care and hospice care.

Hospice care occurs when the patient’s prognosis is six months or less to live if the disease follows its natural course. A hospice patient is no longer seeking treatment for the disease.

By contrast, palliative care patients can receive treatment for their illnesses.

Still not clear? Learn more about which care is right for you.

What Are the Benefits of Palliative Treatment for Cancer?

When you fully understand the extensive benefits of palliative care, you’ll see why starting care earlier in the course of the disease is advantageous.

We understand that our patients are struggling with the challenges of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and pain management. That’s why our entire medical team works together to ensure your symptoms are under control, helping you get the most out of your life.

When you work with Lower Cape Fear Life Care, you’ll discover some of the advantages of palliative care for cancer. The earlier you start, the greater your benefits.

At Lower Cape Fear Life Care, these benefits include:

Surgical Recovery Assistance

When you need to have surgery related to your cancer care, we’ll be ready to assist you as you recover, providing the support you need.

Improved Quality of Life

Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments often cause discomfort and nausea. When combined with the symptoms of cancer itself, it can significantly impact your quality of life. Palliative care focuses on managing these symptoms, helping you feel more comfortable, and allowing you to enjoy meaningful time with those you love.

Symptom Management

As mentioned earlier, managing your symptoms is vital to your quality of life. Our medical team consists of doctors, nurses, and certified nursing assistants with extensive experience helping those with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Counseling and Spiritual Support

While Lower Cape Fear Life Care is not religiously affiliated, we recognize that spiritual issues are essential for many patients. Our trained hospice Chaplains will work with you to support you.

We are not affiliated with any religion or denomination.

Diagnosed With Cancer and Having Difficulty Managing Symptoms? Lower Cape Fear Life Care Can Help

We are the area’s longest-operating nonprofit hospice and have served more than 6,000 families in Southeastern North Carolina and Northeastern South Carolina. Our compassionate care is coupled with dignity and respect that encompasses the whole family.

We meet or exceed the national average on a national caregivers’ survey, demonstrating our dedication to our patients.

If you have questions about how we can serve you, simply contact us for more information.