Palliative care for advanced cancer patients: why we do it and when should we do it?

Dr Jennifer Temel a paliative care expert at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA discusses a study of early integrated palliative care in patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The study demonstrated that early involvement in palliative care improves quality of life (QoL) and mood, enhances patient communication with their clinician about their end-of-life care preferences, and helps them cope more effectively with their illness. Dr Temel discusses the importance of having palliative care specialist as part of the clinical team, since oncologist often cannot provide adequate support.

This programme has been supported by Helsinn, through an unrestricted educational grant to the Patient Empowerment Foundation.

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