Palliative care offers additional help during cancer treatment
The University of Kentucky Public Relations and Strategic Communications Office provides a weekly health column available for use and reprint by news media. This week’s column is by Katrina Nickels, M.D., palliative care physician at UK HealthCare and the UK Markey Cancer Center.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 2, 2025) – When facing a cancer diagnosis, patients often hear the term “palliative care” but may not fully understand what it means. Palliative care is all about improving quality of life and providing patients with an extra layer of support throughout treatment. Think of it as having an extra team of cancer specialists in your corner. A robust palliative care team includes specially trained doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and chaplains who work together to address all aspects of living with cancer — from managing treatment side effects to providing emotional and spiritual support.
For example, if a patient is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment, their palliative care team can help manage side effects like nausea, pain or fatigue. We coordinate closely with patients’ oncologists to ensure their symptoms are well-controlled — allowing them to better tolerate treatment. We also help patients and families navigate complex treatment decisions and cope with the stress that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
Palliative cancer care can include:
- Managing cancer-related symptoms, such as cancer pain and treatment side effects.
- Emotional support and mental health care during cancer treatment.
- Coordination between oncology teams and other medical providers.
- Access to cancer support resources, including transportation and lodging.
- Help understanding cancer treatment options and making medical decisions.
- Support for family members and caregivers.
Palliative care is different from hospice care, which is specifically for end-of-life support. Palliative care can join at any point after a cancer diagnosis and continues along with cancer treatment. Remember, accepting palliative care doesn’t mean stopping cancer treatment. Instead, it means having additional experts focused on your comfort and quality of life during treatment, which can help make your cancer journey easier.
At UK HealthCare, the patient’s oncology team can help determine if the Markey Palliative Cancer Care Clinic is an option for them. Currently, the Markey Palliative Cancer Care Clinic sees patients with advanced stages of cancer. While not every health care system has a full palliative care team, many health care providers offer aspects of palliative care support. If you are living with a cancer diagnosis, ask your oncologist about available palliative care services in your area.
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center and Kentucky’s top hospital ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.