Top oncologists say everyone with advanced cancer needs early palliative care. Here are 6 things to knowMORE: Soap star opens up about fighting 2 types of cancer
Oncologists said starting palliative care when a diagnosis is made may make it easier for patients to stay on their treatment course. "What I'm really excited to see is that these guidelines are taking a step back and thinking about from the time of diagnosis," Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer for the American Cancer Society and an associate professor at Duke University specializing in oncology and palliative care, told ABC News. "It should particularly be used in areas to help people stay on treatment, such as in clinical trials or hematologic malignancies.
Palliative care helped with her fatigue and worry so she could manage and feel like "mom" again, he said.Kamal recommends asking your doctor "Could the extra support of a palliative care team be helpful to me?" He finds asking is often enough for doctors to make a referral.Lindsey Ulin, MD is an internal medicine resident at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit.