Treatment for bladder cancer usually means life-changing surgeries, intensive treatments and a schedule dominated by medical appointments. In the rush to treat the cancer, caring for the patient as a whole person may feel like it takes a back seat.
Palliative care involves supporting the patient and family by effectively managing pain and side effects, as well as providing support for the emotional and psychological impact of the disease and how it affects overall well-being and daily life.
What does palliative care mean?
The term palliative care is often misinterpreted as referring solely to end-of-life care. In fact, palliative care can begin as soon as a diagnosis is made.
Palliative care is care that focuses on quality of life in people with a chronic or serious illness. It often means providing pain relief, but it also helps prevent and ease the burdens that come with a cancer diagnosis and its treatment.
Palliative care isn’t the same as hospice. Hospice is a specific type of palliative care given at end of life, when treatment is unable to control a disease. Palliative care can be given in parallel to treatments meant to cure or treat cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. While any healthcare professional can provide palliative care, a palliative care specialist can also partner with a patient’s healthcare team to provide the best care for both health and wellbeing.
Read more about bladder cancer treatment and care
Why is palliative care important for patients with bladder cancer?
Quality of life, mental and physical health need to be supported in people with bladder cancer. Living with bladder cancer symptoms, treatment, treatment side effects and worries about both the here and now and the future can be overwhelming. Caregivers, friends and family may help provide love and care, but the burden is easier to manage when it’s shared with a dedicated network of health professionals.
Palliative care offers this support to boost well-being and reduce the risk of anxiety, stress and depression.
What does palliative care involve for patients with bladder cancer?
Palliative care involves supporting patients with bladder cancer across issues that may be physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual or practical. Each patient has individual needs, and these needs may change over the course of the disease. A personalized approach that adapts to each different stage is the best way to support patients and their families.
Palliative care options at each different stage of the bladder cancer journey may include:
At diagnosis
- Explaining the disease and treatment options and what to expect.
- Emotional support.
- Support in managing symptoms.
During active treatment
- Managing treatment recovery and side effects.
- Mental health support.
- Help managing daily life and maintaining quality of life.
As the disease progresses
- Understanding the consequences of disease progression and different treatment options.
- Decision-making guidance.
- Emotional support and mental health support.
- Pain relief options.
- Ways to improve quality of life.
When treatment is no longer effective
- Managing symptoms, pain and side effects.
- Helping with prioritizing quality of life.
- Mental health support.
- Providing support to family and caregivers.
At end of life
- Managing symptoms, ensuring pain relief.
- Providing comfort and support.
- Emotional and spiritual support.
- Providing support to family and caregivers.
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