Supportive medicine (palliative care) is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. We focus on reducing patients’ pain and other symptoms through a team approach. Expert medical care is combined with social, emotional and spiritual care to help you manage the stress of illness.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends that advanced cancer patients receive palliative care support early in their diagnosis journey. Specifically, both inpatients and outpatients with advanced cancer should have access to dedicated palliative care services from the onset of the disease, alongside active treatment.

Several high quality studies have shown that patients who receive care from a palliative team in addition to their cancer treatment:

• Have higher quality of life scores
• Have lower depression and anxiety scores
• Have longer survival despite having less aggressive care at the very end of their life

Note that studies have shown there is a critical window of time when adding a palliative care to your cancer care can make a difference, which is between 6-18 months of your diagnosis of advanced cancer. Beyond that time, you may receive support but the added benefits above are less likely.

We help you feel as good as possible to improve the quality of your life, while coping with the treatment and the symptoms of cancer.

Patients who receive palliative care tend to fare better than those who do not.

Ask your oncologist about a referral to Supportive Medicine.

Our goal is to provide relief from symptoms such as:

• Pain or discomfort
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Anxiety and/or depression
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty sleeping
• Spiritual distress
• Family stress

Our team includes physicians, nurses, social workers and chaplains to support you and your family.

Working together with your oncology team, supportive medicine helps you better understand your medical condition and your choices for medical care. By talking with you and listening to your goals, the supportive medicine team will help you match those goals to your treatment options, giving you more control over your care.

We are here to support you and your family throughout this process.

How to get a referral to Supportive Medicine Clinic

For a referral to Supportive Medicine Clinic, discuss your concerns with your oncologist.

For more resources, please visit the Patient and Family Learning Center