Tuberculosis, Lung Health and Respiratory Diseases

palliative care for advanced lung cancer

Many people believe that palliative care can be harmful. Some oncologists are concerned that palliative care kills patients' hope. Previous study on the effects of palliative care on survival has yielded conflicting results. The Portland researchers, on the other hand, write that their new findings "help dispel the belief that early palliative care among patients with lung cancer is associated with shortened survival."

The study found that providing palliative care soon after a lung cancer diagnosis increased survival. According to the researchers, it is more beneficial when included in the early disease treatment rather than as part of the dying process. They conclude that palliative care, in addition to cancer treatment, should be regarded a complementary option in patients with advanced lung cancer.