Palliative care

Extra support focused on comfort and quality of life, which you can get at any stage of cancer.

Rosa: Hi, I'm Rosa. Palliative care is extra support for comfort and quality of life, and you can get it at any stage. Let me explain what it is and how to ask for it.

Palliative care is medical care focused on easing symptoms and stress. It helps with pain, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, sleep, and worry. It also helps you and your family talk through goals and hard choices.

Palliative care is not the same as hospice. You can get palliative care at any stage, starting at diagnosis. You can get it along with treatment aimed at the cancer, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a clinical trial.

Hospice is one type of palliative care. It is for when treatment aimed at the cancer has stopped or is not helping. It focuses fully on comfort, often at home.

Getting palliative care early can help people feel better and have a better quality of life. Asking for it does not mean giving up. Medicare, Medicaid, and most private plans cover it.

Palliative care teams also help with planning ahead. This includes choosing a health care proxy and writing down your wishes in an advance directive. Ask your oncologist for a referral.

What to expect: You may meet with the palliative care team in the clinic, in the hospital, or at home. The first visit is mostly a conversation. They will ask about your symptoms, your daily life, and what matters most to you. They will also ask how your family is coping. You can bring a family member or a friend. It often helps to write down your questions first.

Who is on the team: A palliative care team often includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and spiritual care providers. Some teams also include dietitians, pharmacists, and counselors. You do not have to use every service. Use the ones that help you.

Help with symptoms: Tell the team about any symptom that bothers you, even if it seems small. They can change your medicines, suggest other ways to ease symptoms, and work with your oncologist so everyone is on the same page. Treating symptoms early can keep them from getting worse. You are not a bother when you speak up.

Support for your family: Cancer affects everyone close to you. Palliative care teams also help caregivers. They can explain what to expect, share ways to care for a loved one, and connect you with counseling or support groups. Caregivers need rest and care too.

Help with money and paperwork: Ask to talk with a social worker or a financial navigator. They can help you understand your insurance coverage, look for programs that may help with costs, and sort through forms. You can also ask about rides to appointments and help at home.

Tips for your visits: Keep a simple list of your symptoms, when they happen, and what makes them better or worse. Bring a list of all your medicines. Share your goals, such as sleeping better, eating more comfortably, or spending time with family. Your plan can change as your needs change.

When to call your care team: Call if a symptom is new, gets worse, or is not eased by your current plan. Call if you feel very sad, anxious, or hopeless. Also call if your team gave you warning signs to watch for, such as a fever, and you notice one. If you have an emergency, call 911.

How to ask for palliative care: You can ask your oncologist or nurse at any time. You can ask again if your needs change. If your hospital does not have a palliative care team, ask where you can find one nearby.

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.