Cancer Palliative Care Often Comes Late

Many cancer doctors refer their patients to palliative care only very late in the disease process, a study from Canada shows. The study was based on a survey of 603 oncologists. Most of the doctors practiced in hospitals that had access to palliative care. This is a type of care that focuses on pain relief and the overall well-being of patients and their families. It may include psychological, social and sometimes spiritual care. About one-third of oncologists said they referred patients for this type of care when they found that a cancer had spread. Such cancers often can be treated but not cured. Another one-third of the doctors said they waited to refer to palliative care until chemotherapy was stopped. This often occurred just a few weeks or months from death. Palliative care is designed to benefit patients throughout treatment, not just at the end.