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. You can have it with or without curative care, so you do not have to choose one or the other.

Palliative care may be given at any point in cancer care, from diagnosis to the end of life. People who get palliative care can keep getting cancer treatment at the same time. The goal is to improve quality of life by treating or preventing symptoms and side effects early, along with emotional, social, and spiritual concerns.

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

Research supports starting palliative care early. Some studies have found that adding it 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.