Why Every Cancer Patient Should Know About Palliative Care

One topic that often comes up among those of us in healthcare advocacy is that Palliative Care is deeply misunderstood—and severely underutilized.

If you or a loved one has received a cancer diagnosis, you should undoubtedly pursue the option of leveraging Palliative Care.

If any doctor dismisses it because your cancer isn’t terminal, that’s a red flag—not because they’re a bad doctor, but because they likely misunderstand what Palliative Care is and what they can do for you. (Unfortunately, that’s not uncommon.)

Let’s clear it up. In this article, we’ll break down what Palliative Care is, what it isn’t, and most importantly, why every cancer patient should consider it.

💛 My Story – Twice Over

In 1997, my dad, Mike, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. For 10 grueling months, he endured chemo, radiation, weight loss, and the mental and physical toll that cancer takes. Back then, Palliative Care was barely a whisper in the medical world. It was never mentioned to our family—because it simply wasn’t available yet.

Fast forward twenty years. My sister Meghan was diagnosed with the same type of cancer. This time, her prognosis was different—“curable.” That word gave us hope. But our optimism was shattered when a rare lung disease triggered by her cancer took hold.

As Meghan’s hospital stays became more frequent, so did our fear. Each admission raised the same terrifying questions: Is this it? Will she come home? And with each stay, we watched her decline. Research shows that extended hospital stays are linked to functional regression, increased infections, and emotional distress—especially dangerous for already vulnerable patients.

Then one day, a gift of a human was sent to us.

Dr. Jennifer Aron walked into Meghan’s hospital room and introduced herself as her Palliative Care doctor. I remember the confused look my mom and I shared—Palliative Care? What is that? Thankfully, Dr. Aron knew that confusion well. With compassion and clarity, she explained how she and her team could support Meghan—and our entire family.

What we didn’t know then was that this incredible woman would not only improve Meghan’s final months—but become a lifelong friend and supporter for me as well.

💛 What Is Palliative Care?

Palliative Care is specialized medical support for people living with serious illnesses. Their goal is to improve a patient’s quality of life.

It’s not about “giving up.” It’s about living as well as possible—no matter your prognosis.

A Palliative Care team may include doctors, nurses, dietitians, social workers, chaplains, and therapists. Together, they help patients manage symptoms, process emotions, and make informed decisions—while also offering support to caregivers.

Here are a few ways they help:

• Easing physical pain and discomfort
• Reducing anxiety, depression, and emotional distress
• Improving communication and decision-making
• Addressing mobility and safety concerns
• Offering spiritual or psychological counseling
• Supporting families and children
• Assisting in end-of-life discussions—if and when it’s necessary

💛 Who Qualifies for Palliative Care?

The short answer? Patients with life-limiting diseases.

You don’t need to be dying to access Palliative Care. It’s based on need, not necessarily prognosis.

If you or your loved one is experiencing serious symptoms or emotional stress due to illness, you can ask for a referral. Cancer patients—whether early-stage or advanced—often benefit from this support.

While many are introduced to Palliative Care in hospitals, it’s also available at home, in clinics, or long-term care facilities. It can be offered alongside treatments like chemotherapy and radiation—helping patients stay stronger and avoid preventable hospitalizations.

Keep in mind, coverage of palliative care services will depend on your insurance plan and program services offered by providers. I recommend that you call your insurance company to learn more about which palliative care services are offered. That way, when you speak to your physician about it, you are informed and can ask deliberate questions.

💛 Why Hasn’t My Doctor Mentioned It?

You’re not alone in wondering that. Many doctors hesitate to bring up Palliative Care because they worry patients will assume it means “the end.”

Others simply haven’t been educated on what Palliative Care offers.

In some areas—especially rural or smaller hospitals—it may not be available at all. But the field is growing, and awareness is improving.

You can and should advocate for it. If your doctor doesn’t bring it up, you bring it up.

💛 Palliative Care vs. Hospice: Not the Same

It’s common to confuse these two—but they’re not the same.

Hospice is a form of Palliative Care provided at the end of life, typically when someone has 6 months or less to live and chooses to stop curative treatments.

Palliative Care can be offered at any stage of illness—even from day one. It works alongside treatments to keep the patient emotionally and physically well. It’s about living well, even during hard times.

💛 Do I Need Palliative Care If I Have a Badass Advocate?

As a family advocate, you are your loved one’s voice. But even the most Badass Advocates need help navigating the medical and emotional complexities of serious illness.

Palliative Care teams can address tough topics like advance directives and long-term care goals—conversations that many families avoid, even when they shouldn't. When Meghan was sick, we didn’t ask about advance directives, even though we thought we were being proactive. She was young. We assumed she’d make it.

Thanks to Dr. Aron and her team, Meghan was able to express her wishes. Thankfully, we didn’t need to use that plan—but knowing what she wanted gave us peace in unimaginable grief.

An advocate’s job isn’t to do it all. It’s to build the best team possible. And Palliative Care is a powerful part of that team.

If you’re an advocate, know that true advocacy sometimes means stepping aside and allowing professionals to handle the toughest conversations. It’s not weakness—it’s wisdom.

And if you’re a patient, the best gift you can give your loved ones is a clear understanding of your wishes. If they never need that plan, wonderful. But if they do, it will make an impossible time just a little bit easier.

💛 Is Palliative Care Right for You?

That’s a question only you can answer—but you deserve to ask it.

At a minimum, I encourage anyone facing serious illness—or caring for someone who is—to bring it up with their care team. If they brush it off, push back. You are not being dramatic. You are being a Badass Advocate.

The emotional, physical, and mental toll of cancer is real—regardless of your stage or prognosis. Getting support is not weakness. It’s strength.

💛 Final Thoughts

It’s hard to put into words the impact Palliative Care had on our family, and how grateful I am for Dr. Aron. I hope this article clears up the confusion surrounding it—and empowers you to explore it for yourself or a loved one.

Being a Badass Advocate means using every available tool to protect and support your person. Palliative Care is one of the best tools out there.

Sending You Warm Hugs,

🫶 Erin Galyean
Inspirational Speaker | Published Author | Badass Advocate
www.badassadvocate.com