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Palliative medicine for cancer patients explained

by Medical Xpress
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Patients undergoing cancer treatments often use palliative medicine to cope with nausea, fatigue and other bothersome symptoms.

Palliative medicine is a medical specialty whose main focus is supporting patients and families/caregivers who need help managing symptoms related to cancer or side effects related to the , along with other life-limiting diseases.

Dr. Touré Barksdale, a Mayo Clinic cancer rehabilitation and specialist, explains the benefits of palliative care.

Patients with cancer not only have to worry about fighting the disease, but they also must battle the cumbersome , like fatigue and other symptoms related to cancer and its treatment.

“Side effects from cancer and treatment of cancer, such as pain, delirium, nausea, vomiting and debility, can also contribute to their cancer-related fatigue,” says Dr. Barksdale.

Palliative care provides relief

Tai Chi is often used in palliative medicine. Palliative medicine is a crucial component of cancer treatment. Its main purpose is to improve the patient’s overall well-being.

“Whether that’s more holistic care through integrative and complementary medicine, more Western-based medicines, psychological care, , aromatherapy, Reiki, tai chi—we have lots of things we can do to help reduce suffering,” explains Dr. Barksdale.

Palliative care is not the same as . The latter focuses on making patients comfortable and managing symptoms nearing the end of life when further curative treatments are no longer available.

“Palliative care, to me, is hope because what we’re doing is we’re improving your quality of life,” says Dr. Barksdale.

This type of care is available at any stage of cancer treatment.

2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Palliative medicine for cancer patients explained (2024, September 19)
retrieved 19 September 2024
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