Early palliative care alongside treatment
Better quality of life and mood when added early.
What studies found
Palliative care is symptom and support care, not only end-of-life care. In a trial of 151 people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, adding it soon after diagnosis improved quality of life, and fewer had depressive symptoms (16% vs 38%). An ASCO guideline based on nine randomized trials suggests palliative care involvement within 8 weeks of diagnosing advanced cancer.
The catch
In that trial, people who had early palliative care also lived longer (11.6 vs 8.9 months), but that was a secondary result.
What to do
If your cancer is advanced, ask for a palliative care referral now, alongside treatment.
Sources
Rung 4 of 5, Strong: At least one large randomized trial, or very large consistent studies, on this exact question. How we score
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the lung cancer page.
Related
- Quitting smoking after a lung cancer diagnosisRung 3 · ModerateYou can do thisRung 3 · ModerateSide-effect supportYou can do this
- Exercise during and after any cancer treatmentRung 5 · EstablishedYou can do thisRung 5 · EstablishedSide-effect supportYou can do this
- Acupuncture for cancer painRung 4 · StrongWith your doctorRung 4 · StrongSide-effect supportWith your doctor
- Cannabinoids for chemotherapy nauseaRung 3 · ModerateWith your doctorRung 3 · ModerateSide-effect supportWith your doctor
- Healthy eating pattern after breast cancerRung 3 · ModerateYou can do thisRung 3 · ModerateSide-effect supportYou can do this