Palliative care means quality of life at any stage of a cancer journey
Think of palliative care as a fundamental level of support to a cancer patient and their loved ones. Contrary to popular belief that it’s associated with end-of-life care alone, this medical approach improves quality of life.
In this podcast
Palliative care can be offered alongside treatments aimed at altering the course of the disease - along with your chemotherapy and radiotherapy to ensure that, even during treatments, your quality of life remains as optimal as possible.
Palliation does not mean we’ve given up on you. Palliation is the support needed to improve quality of life and it starts from the beginning, from diagnosis throughout the continuum of care, intensifying as the disease progresses.
We have to debunk the myth that palliative care is an option once there is no longer an option to continue with active treatment. It has to be quality of life support, independent of the stage of the disease.
- Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa https://hpca.co.za/
- Get Palliative Care https://getpalliativecare.org/
- www.discovery.co.za
- American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/
More podcasts in this series
What is cancer? Our experts bring clarity to cancer’s complexity.
Join two leading oncologists and a medical geneticist, to discuss the answers to all your questions about cancer. Explore genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect your risk. Understand diagnosis, treatment methods and common myths.
Navigating the cancer journey: every step explained
Dr Sandile Mhlongo and Dr Noluthando Nematswerani walk through each step - from healthy living and screening tests to the healthcare support needed through a diagnosis, individualised treatment plans and more.
Girl talk: be empowered with life-saving insight into women’s cancers
Ladies, listen up. Specialist Breast Surgeon, Prof. Carol Benn and Gynaecologist, Dr Trudy Smith share a treasure trove of information, from cancer’s impact on fertility and femininity, vaccinations and healthy living to cut cancer risk, breast self-examination, mammograms, pap smears and more.