PALLIATIVE CARE

Studies show that for people with certain types of cancer, early use of palliative care services not only improves their emotional wellbeing but promotes longer life when compared with people who receive only standard treatment. At ABJ., we approach all patients with palliative care to ensure their holistic wellbeing no matter what their diagnosis.

We offer specialist advice and support both on symptom control and total patient care. We pride ourselves on working closely with our patients to achieve the very best quality of life and to support them and their families. We provide support for those diagnosed with cancer with:

  • Symptom control and pain management.

  • Psychological support for patients and families/carers.

  • End of life care.

  • Future care planning.

  • Advice and support for healthcare professionals caring for patients with a life-limiting illness.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is an approach to care in which your oncologist takes your individual needs and quality of life into account when treating the symptoms of cancer and its treatments. Palliative care is given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease. Palliative care does not mean your prognosis isn't good; palliative care is available to all our patients, to make living with cancer as comfortable and pain-free as possible, as well as to enhance the quality of life so that patients continue to lead productive and meaningful lives.

Palliative care usually involves a multidisciplinary team that may include doctors, nurses, registered dieticians, pharmacists, psychologists, and social workers in conjunction with your oncology care team. 

The goal of the palliative care specialist is to reduce any symptoms you may experience and make you more comfortable. It addresses the following areas of your health and wellbeing:

  • The physical: we are here to help you manage the common symptoms including pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and insomnia as well as the side-effects of your cancer treatments.
  • The emotional: we can also help you and your loved one’s cope with the emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis and how best to deal with the related depression, anxiety and fear with referrals to the necessary psychologists and counsellors.
  • The needs of caregivers: we aim to assist caretakers with the extra responsibilities placed upon them by providing crucial information and guidance concerning cancer treatment, nutritional guidance as well as the arrangement of caregivers, transport and medical equipment.

FAQ

1When should you start palliative care?
Palliative care is care meant to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease, such as advanced cancer.
2When should you start palliative care?
Palliative care may be provided at any point during advanced cancer care, from diagnosis to the end of life. Patients with advanced cancer can receive palliative care while they are still receiving other therapies to treat their condition. In addition to improving their quality of life and helping with symptom control, palliative care can also help patients and their families with any psychological, social and spiritual issues that may occur.
3How long does palliative care last?
Depending on the severity of the illness and the person’s circumstances, the actual duration can vary substantially. Palliative care should start at the beginning stage of a patient having advanced disease and given through every all the stages of the journey:
  • Initial care plan
  • Adjusting plan and emotional support
  • Shifting to end-of-life care
  • Symptom management and emotional support
  • Bereavement while assisting the patient’s loved ones.
4How is palliative care different from end-of-life care?
Both palliative care and end-of-life care put a strong emphasis on supporting people who are dealing with serious illnesses. Whereas palliative care can begin when curative treatment is no longer the goal, Eend-of-life care begins when the patient start nearing the end of life. Palliative care focuses on easing severe disease symptoms and stress, while end-of-life care focuses on comfort and support when a patient’s health declines as they approach death. End-of-life care is therefore one phase of palliative care.
  1. RADIATION THERAPY
    including IMRT & VMAT
  2. CHEMOTHERAPY
  3. HAEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY
    high dose chemotherapy and stem cell rescue therapy
  4. BONE MARROW STEM CELL TRANSPLANTS
  5. RADIOACTIVE SEED IMPLANTS (Prostate Brachytherapy)
  6. STEREOTAXIS RADIOSURGERY
    including Leksell Gamma Knife
  7. PALLIATIVE CARE
  8. IMMUNOTHERAPY