I know it's hard to put into words what you feel when your doctor tells you that you have metastatic breast cancer. This is a challenging journey. But you are not alone in this journey. Today we are talking about a special type of medical care that can empower you and your loved ones. It is called " palliative care."
What exactly is Palliative Care?
Many people think that palliative care is something that is only given at the end of life. But that is a complete misconception. Simply put, palliative care is a special type of care that improves your quality of life by controlling the pain, discomfort, and stress caused by a serious illness.
Imagine you are undergoing cancer treatment, it is like a big battle. This Palliative Care team is a support group that comes to you to help you cope with the pain, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and stress that you experience while fighting this battle, and to keep you strong.
The important thing is that you can receive this palliative care alongside your curative treatments. When these two go together, you will have great strength to face your treatment.
What are the benefits of palliative care?
Starting palliative care early in your cancer diagnosis can have many benefits.
- Your well-being increases: This team focuses not only on your physical pain, but also on your emotional stress, social issues, and spiritual needs. This will help you cope better with cancer treatment.
- Stress management: Feelings of stress, anxiety, and fear are common when living with a serious illness. The palliative care team also cares about your mental health and provides you with the counseling and support you need.
- It's a great strength for your family too: During this difficult time, your family and those who care for you are under a lot of stress. Palliative care also helps ease their burden. It listens to their problems. When your family is comfortable, it's a great relief for you too, isn't it?
- You may live longer: One study found that people who received palliative care along with chemotherapy lived longer than those who received standard treatment alone. This is because when pain and side effects are controlled, the body has more energy to fight the disease. Your doctor can help you live longer by giving you palliative care along with treatments like hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Are there any types of palliative care?
Yes, there are two main ways to provide this care, depending on your needs.
| Care method | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Oncologist-based method | Your oncologist, who is treating your cancer, also provides palliative care. The relationship between you and your doctor is very strong here. |
| Concurrent model | Your oncologist and a palliative care specialist will treat you as a team. They will work together to provide you with the best care. |
How do doctors provide this care?
This is not a one-person job, it's a team effort . Your hosting team may include:
- Oncologist
- Palliative Care Specialist
- Your family doctor (Primary Care Doctor)
- Nurses
- Social Workers
- A religious leader if you like.
Before care begins, this team will conduct a thorough assessment of you and your family.
1. Patient Assessment
The team will talk to you and gain your trust. They will gain a good understanding of your condition, symptoms, your physical functioning (ability to walk, talk, perform daily tasks), current treatments, and potential future problems.
2. Family Assessment
We look at your family's ability and willingness to care for you. We also look at their health problems and mental health issues. Because in order to care for you, they need to be well too.
It's very important for you, your family, and the medical team to get together and have family meetings to talk about all of this.
It's important to talk openly with your team and family about your goals, your fears, and your needs. You can also decide what information you want to share with others and what you want to keep private.
Over time, as your condition changes, your care plan may change. Initially, your goal may be to live longer. But as your disease progresses, your priority may be to be comfortable and pain-free. With each change, the team will talk to you and make new plans.
What is the difference between Palliative Care and Hospice Care?
Many people confuse these two. But there is a clear difference between the two. Look at this table.
| Type of care | Main difference |
|---|---|
| Palliative Care | Treatment can begin at any time after diagnosis , along with curative treatments. The main goal is to control symptoms and improve quality of life. |
| Hospice Care | It is usually given at the end of life (e.g. when the chance of survival is less than 6 months) and when curative treatment has been discontinued. The focus here is on making the patient comfortable and free from pain. |
Where can I get palliative care services?
These services are available at some hospitals, clinics, and private institutions in Sri Lanka.
The best thing to do, if you are interested in this, is to talk to your oncologist or your family doctor first. They can refer you to the best place for your situation. Don't be afraid to talk openly about your needs with your doctor. It is your right.
Take-Home Message
- Palliative care is not just something given at the end of life. It is care that is given to make your life more comfortable and improve the quality of your life while you are undergoing cancer treatment.
- This care will bring great psychological relief not only to you, but also to your family who cares for you.
- This care can be provided alongside treatments to cure cancer (such as chemotherapy).
- This is a team care provided by doctors, nurses, and social workers.
- If you want to know more about palliative care, don't be afraid to ask your doctor about it.
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