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Enhancing Quality of Life: The Role of Palliative Medicine in Cancer Care

January 23, 2025
When it comes to serious illnesses, such as cancer, it’s important patients receive comprehensive care that not only offers treatments for their disease but also prioritizes their quality of life. While cancer treatment varies per patient, so do the symptoms they may experience, which is why recognizing their unique needs is essential to personalizing care, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life to help them feel as good as possible.
 
For cancer patients, one component of their comprehensive care may include palliative medicine, which provides an extra layer of support and relief from symptoms. Often people, even in the medical field, perceive this specialized care as being end-of-life focused or for only late-stage diseases. As a result, many end up opting out of receiving palliative care when it could be beneficial.
 
To better understand the role of palliative medicine in cancer care, Stephanie Y. Terauchi, M.D., FAAHPM, palliative medicine physician at Texas Oncology, shares how this specialty addresses the overall well-being of patients.
 
1) What is palliative medicine?
Palliative medicine is a specialized form of medical care aimed at providing symptom relief and pain management. While cancer treatment works to treat the disease, palliative medicine works to treat cancer symptoms and side effects patients may experience from treatment, allowing them to focus on healing throughout their journey. As a palliative medicine physician, seeing my patients’ pain go from a 10 to a two in a few days motivates me to keep doing what I can to help improve the quality of their lives while navigating cancer.
 
2) How does palliative medicine fit into standard cancer treatment?
A common misconception among patients is that you must stop your cancer treatments in order to receive this specialized care. This is not true. In fact, palliative medicine is frequently provided in addition to standard cancer treatments or therapies. Any patient can receive palliative medicine when symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, lack of sleep, nausea, constipation, low appetite, shortness of breath, or other physical side effects, are difficult to manage. Many times, the earlier patients begin palliative medicine, the more relief they feel throughout treatment. Some studies have even shown those receiving palliative medicine live longer.  
 
3) What should patients and their families know about palliative medicine, its benefits, and how it differs from hospice care? 
Whereas hospice care is primarily for terminal or end-of-life needs, palliative medicine is available to all patients, no matter their cancer type or stage. This specialized care is intended to improve patients’ quality of life by providing relief to not only the physical, but the emotional impact of cancer such as distress, anxiety, depression, and spiritual issues. Similarly, palliative medicine gives patients more control over their body and well-being. Cancer can impact all aspects of a patient’s life in unexpected ways, which is why this specialized care aims to help patients feel as normal as possible throughout treatment and even into their “new normal” as a cancer survivor.
 
I want patients to know that asking about palliative medicine doesn’t mean you’re giving up but rather addressing your “pain points” of cancer and determining how this specialized care can alleviate those concerns and help you live a better life –– whether that be pain management, mental health counseling, support services, or setting advanced care goals with your team.
 
4) Palliative medicine is provided by an interdisciplinary team. Who might be involved, and how do they coordinate with a cancer patient’s healthcare providers?   
Palliative medicine helps patients navigate their care to get the right support and resources they need. We collaborate with a patient’s cancer care team to ensure their wishes and needs are met. At Texas Oncology, our palliative medicine team collaborates with oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, dietitians, and social workers — to help treat the whole patient. Patients with cancer who need support with symptom or pain management should talk with a member of their care team. Texas Oncology’s Palliative Medicine Program offers expertise on symptom management, emotional support, discussions around care goals, and support services.
 
To learn more about palliative medicine or other specialty programs offered at Texas Oncology, visit TexasOncology.com.

For upcoming webinars visit www.TexasOncologyFoundation.org.