What role does palliative care play in cancer treatment?
December 28, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Marie Hahn
Dear Doctor,
My name is Hilde Krause and I am 58 years old. I have been suffering from advanced lung cancer for some time now and I am faced with the difficult decision of which treatment options are suitable for me. In recent weeks, I have heard a lot about palliative care, but I am unsure of the role it could play in my cancer treatment.
My current condition is marked by severe pain, nausea, and exhaustion. I am very concerned about how to deal with these symptoms and whether palliative care can help improve my quality of life. I wonder if it is an alternative or complement to traditional cancer therapy and how it can help me cope with my illness.
My family and I are unsure of the next steps to take and whether palliative care could be an option for me. Therefore, as an expert in this field, I would like to ask for your advice: What role does palliative care play in my cancer treatment? Can it help alleviate my symptoms and improve my quality of life? Are there specific treatment options that are particularly suitable for my case?
I thank you in advance for your support and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Hilde Krause
Dear Mrs. Krause,
I thank you for your trust and your open words. I am sorry to hear that you are struggling with advanced lung cancer and suffering from severe pain, nausea, and exhaustion. These symptoms can be very distressing and it is understandable that you are wondering how to cope with them.
Palliative care plays an important role in the treatment of cancer patients, especially in advanced stages of the disease. Its main goal is to improve the quality of life of patients by alleviating pain and other distressing symptoms, providing psychological support, and overall enhancing quality of life. Palliative care can be used as both an alternative and complementary therapy to conventional cancer treatment.
In your case, palliative care could help you to manage the pain, nausea, and exhaustion that come with your advanced lung cancer. There are various treatment options that can be tailored to your individual needs. These may include pain management, anti-nausea medication, breathing therapy, psychological counseling, and support for your family.
It is important for you and your family to discuss palliative care early on and have open conversations with your treating physician. Together, you can decide which treatment options are suitable for you and how to best improve your quality of life.
I strongly recommend that you get in touch with a palliative care specialist to discuss your individual situation and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Do not hesitate to accept help and support to cope with this difficult time as best as possible.
I am here to answer any further questions and support you on your journey.
Sincerely,
Marie Hahn
