August is Palliative Medicine and Cancer Pain Awareness Month, a perfect time to remember how palliative medicine professionals can help individuals with serious illnesses find more comfort during their health journey.
Hear John Erickson, FNP-C, answer some of the most common questions individuals ask about palliative medicine.
Palliative medicine – also called supportive care or palliative care – focuses on providing patients relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness. The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for patients and their families with a patient and family-centered approach.
Pain is considered to be cancer-related when it is the result of the cancer itself or the result of cancer treatment (surgeries, radiation treatments, chemotherapies, etc.) It’s important to report any pain you are having to your oncologist, especially if it is a new pain or if it is interfering with your daily activities. They can help you manage your symptoms and even give you a referral to a palliative medicine specialist.
Anyone with a serious or life-limiting illness is eligible to receive palliative care; there are no age limitations, specific diagnoses, or life-expectancy requirements. Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, even cover it.
For a palliative care consult, talk to your primary care provider, nurse, or oncologist about a referral, or call (406) 751-6725.
