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Both cancer as a disease and its medical treatments can cause unpleasant and sometimes painful side effects that can negatively impact a patient's quality of life. Reducing these side effects and symptoms and giving patients a better quality of life is the purpose of palliative care.

"Palliative care is any treatment that focuses on reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, and supporting patients and their families. Any person, regardless of age or type and stage of cancer, may receive palliative care" (American Society of Clinical Oncology). Palliative care – also referred to as "supportive care" – can significantly improve a patient's cancer journey from the time of diagnosis throughout the rest of the patient's life. 

"So many people associate palliative care with hospice, that people tend to shy away from a palliative care consult. Hospice is when one decides to no longer treat the disease and focus purely on comfort. Palliative care is the best of both worlds. We help you focus on comfort while you continue to treat the disease. I like to tell people our unofficial motto is 'To help you have more good days than bad days!' We call it "supportive care" as that's a more accurate term of what we do – Support you through whatever you are going through before, during or after treatment." – Kimberly Gracy, RN, Highlands Oncology Group 

The main goals of palliative care are:Family Fun

  • To address and help alleviate the negative symptoms brought on by cancer and/or its treatments.
  • To clarify the diagnosis and treatment plan to the patient, caregiver, family and friends.
  • To aid in treatment-related decisions.
  • To work alongside the patient's other health care providers.
  • To provide support for various potential needs of the patient, caregiver, family and friends (emotional, social, etc.).

The Northwest Arkansas community is fortunate to have palliative care available through Highlands Oncology Group. "The Supportive Care Department at Highlands Oncology Group is dedicated to helping cancer patients and survivors optimize their quality of life. We accomplish that by actively listening to patient concerns in order to address and alleviate emotional and physical distress. We aid in managing symptoms and side effects, of both cancer and its treatments, so that patients can continue to lead fulfilling lives." 
Dr. Juan Lombeida, Highlands Oncology Group

According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, cancer patients who received early palliative care had "significant improvements in both quality of life and mood." The patients who received palliative care also lived longer than those who received standard care. 

Talk with your cancer care team for palliative care options that may be available to you, or contact Hope Cancer Resources at
479-361-5847 and ask to speak to
one of our social workers.

 

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