Palliative Services
Palliative Care is specialized medical care to improve the quality of life of our patients and their families facing problems associated with a cancer diagnosis. Palliative care can help ease the suffering of cancer patients. It is also known as supportive care or symptom control. While enhancing the quality of life, it may also positively influence the course of illness. It is applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. At Willis-Knighton Cancer Center, we have a Board Certified Palliative Care Physician, Dr. Joyce Feagin, who can help facilitate palliative care services along with a multidisciplinary team.
Palliative care can include:
- Team-based care planning that involves the patient and family
- Pain and non-pain symptom management
- Communication among patients, families, and provider team members
- Attention to spiritual comfort
- Psychosocial support for patients and families
- Bereavement support for families and care team members