Cancer appears to affect each and every one of us eventually. The purpose of World Cancer Day, which falls on February 4, is to raise awareness of cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. The purpose is to educate and inspire people about early detection, prevention, and treatment. The Union for International Cancer Control established this initiative to promote and fight for the goals of the 2008 World Cancer Declaration.
Palliative and supportive care is the term used to describe how cancer’s multiple side effects, such as its physical, emotional, social, and economical effects, are managed. It is an important factor of a person’s total cancer care. Treatments to reduce, stop, or cure cancer can be combined with palliative and supportive care.
Patients with advanced cancer who received palliative care in addition to normal treatment expressed higher levels of happiness and quality of life than those who did not receive early palliative care.
Palliative and supportive care can be provided at any age, for any type and stage of cancer, and at any point during the course of cancer therapy. This includes right away receiving a cancer diagnosis. According to research, supportive and palliative care can enhance your quality of life. Additionally, it can make you feel happier about your cancer treatment.
Leading senior care organisation, Athulya Assisted Living offers top-notch elderly care, home care, and palliative care services. We have everything required to make old age a beautiful experience for your beloved elders, including an established track record of providing quality care, skilled senior care professionals, and cutting-edge facilities.
How can I get palliative and supportive care?
Your cancer treatment strategy should incorporate palliative and supportive care as much as possible. It’s critical to communicate any side effects or worries you have to your medical staff. Your cancer treatment team can assist you in locating the appropriate palliative and supportive care providers for you. This could happen in your cancer center, a hospital, your house, or assisted living facility.
Areas where palliative care can help
Palliative treatments vary widely and often include:
- Medication
- Nutritional changes
- Relaxation techniques
- Emotional and spiritual support
- Support for children or family caregivers
Social
It could be challenging for you to discuss your feelings or your struggles with your family members or caretakers. A support group with Such scenarios can be assisted by a care worker. For example, they can:
- Help you plan a family meeting
- Suggest ways to organize people who want to help
- Help you find medical information, rides, or services
Emotional
You might experience sadness, worry, or rage as a result of having cancer. You can become highly stressed as a result. You can get support from a group, a therapist, a counselor, or another expert to help you understand and manage these feelings. Speak with your medical team about your feelings to get support. You can find coping skills for your emotions.
Spiritual
Cancer can raise a lot of existential issues. You might find it difficult to comprehend how you got cancer. Alternatively, you might seek a greater goal after surviving cancer. Your spiritual leader or other community members may be able to provide you with spiritual support if you are a member of a belief institution like a church, temple, or other group. Whether you follow a particular religion or not, a hospital can offer you spiritual assistance.
Mental
Your mental health may be impacted by cancer symptoms, therapies, and drugs. For instance, if you don’t get enough sleep, you could experience tension and have trouble thinking effectively. You can also be quite concerned about how well your treatment is working.
Exercise, therapy, meditation, and maybe medication to treat anxiety, depression, or sleep issues are all part of palliative care for mental health. A psychologist, support group facilitator, or counselor might advise you to engage in activities that lessen stress and anxiety, such yoga, making art, connecting with other cancer survivors, or volunteering for a cause you care about.
The Athulya’s palliative skilled nursing care works to raise the standard and quality of life for patients and their families while taking into account their values and beliefs. Our medical staff has received specialized training on how to treat patients with kindness and compassion that calms them and improves the way they view their lives.