Can I get palliative care while still in cancer treatment?

Yes. Palliative care can be given along with treatment meant to cure or control your cancer. It can be given with or without curative care, so you do not have to choose one or the other.

Palliative care may be provided at any point during cancer care, from diagnosis to the end of life. When a person receives palliative care, they may continue to receive cancer treatment. The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life by preventing or treating symptoms and side effects early, along with emotional, social, and spiritual concerns.

Getting started usually begins with your cancer care team. The oncologist, or someone on the oncology care team, is the first person to ask about palliative care. They may refer you to a palliative care specialist depending on your physical and emotional needs. That specialist often works as part of a team, alongside your oncology team, that may include nurses, social workers, chaplains, and others.

Research supports starting palliative care early: some studies have found that adding palliative care soon after a diagnosis of advanced cancer can improve quality of life and mood, and may even help people live longer. Your health care team can talk with you about whether and how palliative care fits your situation.