Executive Summary
Palliative care for metastatic breast cancer aims to make patients as comfortable as possible while undergoing treatment. It effectively improves the quality of life of the patients while reducing pain and discomfort. Breast cancer patients benefit from reduced symptoms, greater communication, and psychological and spiritual care after choosing palliative care as their treatment option. Patients can resume regular activities once their symptoms have been managed. Communication with the palliative care team regarding mental illness, anxiety, body image and sexuality concerns is a critical approach. Breast cancer is primarily a feminine disease; it can also affect men, causing emotional distress. The palliative care team for metastatic breast cancer help not only the patients but also their families who are suffering from the sickness.
Palliative Care for Metastatic Breast Cancer
First, let us make sure we are on the same page when we understand what palliative care means. The medication brings down pain or discomfort but does not go/fight against the disease. Palliative care for Metastatic Breast Cancer aims to make patients as comfortable as possible while undergoing treatment 1. These therapies are also carried out at home or even in a healthcare setting.
Palliative care is used at any stage of cancer treatment, whether it is early stage, recurrent/locally progressed stage, or metastatic stage. The main aim is to improve the quality of life while reducing pain and discomfort. When palliative care teams collaborate with cancer doctors, people with breast cancer benefit from reduced symptoms, greater communication, and psychological and spiritual care 2. They also have someone to assist them plan for the future. Patients can resume regular activities once their symptoms have been managed.
You can also have a quick conversation with the palliative care team members about mental illness, anxiety, body image and sexuality concerns. (While breast cancer is primarily a feminine disease, it can also affect men, causing emotional distress). Palliative care teams for Metastatic Breast Cancer help patients and their families who are suffering from the sickness 3. Family members can support their loved ones if they feel supported by palliative care specialists. Get a referral from your medical practitioner if you or a loved one requires palliative care.
References
- 1.Cherny NI, Paluch-Shimon S, Berner-Wygoda Y. Palliative care: needs of advanced breast cancer patients. BCTT. Published online December 2018:231-243. doi:10.2147/bctt.s160462
- 2.Rabow M, Small R, Jow A, et al. The value of embedding: integrated palliative care for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. Published online October 30, 2017:703-708. doi:10.1007/s10549-017-4556-2
- 3.Cleary J, Ddungu H, Distelhorst SR, et al. Supportive and palliative care for metastatic breast cancer: Resource allocations in low- and middle-income countries. A Breast Health Global Initiative 2013 consensus statement. The Breast. Published online October 2013:616-627. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2013.07.052