How Palliative Care Can Give Cancer Patients Longer to Live

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t just mean that a patient will need to undergo surgery or radiation. While these are part of the approach for treating cancer, palliative care also plays a large role in helping cancer patients live longer, more fulfilling lives. Anton Bilchik understands the importance of the whole-person approach to cancer treatment.

Palliative care gives people the emotional support they need throughout the entire process of cancer treatment. It begins with supportive services during the initial diagnosis. Learning that you have cancer can be a huge emotional blow, but with care and support, you can learn how to cope with the diagnosis so that you have the strength to fight. This type of care continues throughout the rest of your journey, from surgery and recovery to radiation or chemotherapy. You will never feel alone, and you will always have caring people to turn to for help.

The other important piece of palliative care is pain management. Cancer treatments can be painful and uncomfortable, and managing this can help you find the strength to continue your treatment and seek a cure. Anton Bilchik always makes sure that his patients receive the best pain management options to help get through all forms of treatment.

Statistics show that people who receive palliative care in addition to medical services have fewer instances of depression and anxiety.  Reports of pain and nausea are also lower in patients who receive this type of care. On average, people who choose palliative care added three months to their lives.