As many who are faced with lung cancer know too well, the disease and its treatments can cause unwanted symptoms and side effects, both physical and emotional, that can impact quality of life. Lung cancer treatments can cause side effects like fatigue, anxiety, nausea, and pain—not to mention the emotional toll that they can take. That’s where palliative care comes in.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is an area of medicine focused on preventing and treating symptoms and side effects. It can provide comfort and improve quality of life no matter where you are on your treatment path. Palliative care is not the same as hospice care, which is for people who are no longer seeking curative treatment for their illness and is focused on end-of-life care and support. Unlike in hospice care, palliative care can be used along with medical treatment for any serious illness, at any point in the illness.

Why is it important?

Palliative care helps manage pain and discomfort which in turn improves quality of life. You can receive palliative care at any point of your lung cancer journey, but research has shown it is especially important in advanced lung cancer. Studies show that lung cancer patients who received palliative care early on and throughout their treatment not only had improved mood and quality of life, but also lived longer.

Where can I get palliative care?

Ask your doctor if your treatment center has a palliative care team and make an appointment. If your treatment center does not have a palliative care team, you can ask your doctor for a palliative care referral. Palliative care may be available in different settings, including hospitals, outpatient centers or a home. It is provided by a team of doctors and nurses who work together with your treatment team and is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare.

What happens next?

When you meet with your palliative care team, they will assess your pain level and other symptoms. They will explore your goals with you so that your treatment options align with your goals every step of the way, no matter where you are in your lung cancer journey.

Learn more about palliative care and resources on our website and download our printable palliative care one-pager.