Chapter 24 - Palliative Care and Symptom Management in Breast and Gynecological Cancers

Abstract

The World Health Organization defines palliative care as “an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.” Palliative care is appropriate at any age and any stage of cancer and is becoming the new standard of care in oncology. Palliative care specialists provide care in interdisciplinary fashion providing expert symptom management, eliciting goals of care and illness understanding, and assisting in completion of advance directives. Impeccable patient assessment and symptom management are basic and fundamental tenants of palliative care, with the aim at maximizing function and quality of life. Rehabilitation in the cancer population plays an indisputable role in pain and symptom management in maximizing function, independence, well-being and improving quality of life. Palliative care and cancer rehabilitation share a mutual philosophy and approach to management, thus facilitating their integration in supportive oncological care.