Early Palliative Care Improves Mesothelioma Prognosis

Mesothelioma cancer patients can live longer and better lives if they begin palliative care sooner, according to a multidisciplinary panel of experts convened by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The panel recommended that palliative care options should be explored almost immediately after diagnosis of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer with no definitive cure. “The sooner the better,” Betty Ferrell, director of the Division of Nursing Research and Education at City of Hope Medical Center in Los Angeles, told Asbestos.com. “The evidence is strong.” Ferrell, who has 35 years of experience as an oncology nurse and researcher, is the lead author of the new ASCO guidelines on palliative care published recently in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Palliative care, or supportive care, for cancer patients is defined typically as care that focuses on quality of life and relieving symptoms caused by the disease or side effects from the medications used to treat the condition. “The message in the new guidelines is that palliative care can benefit a patient and the family caregivers tremendously,” Ferrell said. “Not only does it help with symptom management and quality of life concerns, but patients actually do better with treatment, stay on treatment and live longer.” Guidelines of Palliative Care for Cancer Patients According to the guidelines, palliative care for optimal effectiveness should begin with diagnosis of disease, be delivered concur...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: American Society of Clinical Oncology Betty Ferrell early palliative care mesothelioma treatment palliative care for cancer palliative care for mesothelioma treatment after early mesothelioma diagnosis Source Type: news