Supportive and palliative care helps support patients and families who are dealing with life-threatening illness. It is meant to enhance a person's care by focusing on quality of life for them and their family. In addition to improving quality of life and helping with symptoms such as pain and dyspnea, supportive and palliative care can help patients understand their choices for medical treatment.
Supportive and palliative care should start when a person is diagnosed with a serious illness. It continues through treatment, to the end of life, and helps support the family through their grief.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you can start to talk with your healthcare team about your wishes, values and beliefs. Starting these conversations early helps make sure the care you receive is based on your wants and needs.
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