When cancer reaches an advanced stage, the focus of treatment may shift from curative care to palliative care. At MGM Cancer Institute, we understand that an advanced cancer diagnosis brings emotional, physical, and psychological challenges. Palliative care is designed to improve the quality of life for patients by managing symptoms, offering emotional support, and helping them maintain comfort throughout their journey.
In this blog, we’ll explore what palliative care for advanced cancers involves, its benefits, and how it supports both patients and their families during this critical time.
Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and pain associated with serious illness, including advanced cancers. Unlike treatments aimed at curing cancer, palliative care seeks to ease discomfort, address emotional and psychological needs, and improve the overall quality of life for patients. It can be provided alongside curative treatments or as the primary care approach in advanced stages of cancer.
Palliative care is patient-centered, meaning it is tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences, and can address various aspects of the disease process, including physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Pain and Symptom Management
Cancer, especially in its advanced stages, can lead to severe pain and a wide range of symptoms. Palliative care teams focus on managing these symptoms through a combination of treatments, including:
The goal is to help the patient feel more comfortable and enable them to engage in daily activities as much as possible.
Emotional and Psychological Support
A cancer diagnosis can trigger a range of emotions such as anxiety, depression, and fear. Palliative care teams offer emotional and psychological support through:
Having a dedicated support system helps patients and families navigate the emotional challenges of advanced cancer.
Enhanced Communication
Effective communication is vital when managing advanced cancer. The palliative care team acts as a bridge between the patient, their family, and their oncologists to ensure everyone is aligned in treatment goals. This can include:
These conversations help ensure that the patient’s preferences are respected throughout their care.
Support for Caregivers
Caring for someone with advanced cancer can be physically and emotionally draining for family members and loved ones. Palliative care offers:
Palliative care is about providing support to everyone involved in the patient’s care, ensuring that caregivers are not overwhelmed.
Palliative care is not limited to end-of-life care; it can begin at any stage of cancer, even while patients are undergoing curative treatments. The earlier palliative care is introduced, the better it can improve comfort and quality of life. Many patients find that having palliative care from the beginning helps them feel more in control of their situation and allows for more effective management of symptoms throughout their cancer journey.
At MGM Cancer Institute, our palliative care team is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive support for patients with advanced cancers. We focus on enhancing the quality of life for each patient, helping them manage symptoms and navigate the emotional and practical challenges of living with advanced illness.
Our multidisciplinary team includes:
We believe that every patient deserves the opportunity to live their life as fully and comfortably as possible, no matter the stage of their illness.
If you or a loved one is facing advanced cancer and could benefit from palliative care, we invite you to reach out to us. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.
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MGM Cancer Institute
No 119 & 121, Nelson Manickam Road, Raajeswari Street, Rajaram Mehta Nagar,
Aminjikarai, Chennai – 600029
At MGM Cancer Institute, we believe in curing the fear of cancer first. We understand that battling cancer is not just a physical fight, but a mental and emotional one as well. Our dedicated team is committed to providing exceptional healthcare that improves your overall well-being and eases the anxiety that comes with cancer. With a 150-bed facility in the heart of your city, we are here to support you every step of the way.