When treatments are used with the aim of controlling the cancer and managing symptoms rather curing the cancer, they are generally known as palliative treatment. Palliative treatment is one aspect of palliative care, in which a team of health professionals work together to meet your physical, emotional, cultural, social and spiritual needs. The team also provides support to families and carers.
Specialist palliative care services see people with more complex needs and can also advise other health professionals. Contacting a specialist palliative care service soon after diagnosis gives them the opportunity to get to know you, your family and your circumstances. You can ask your treating doctor for a referral. The palliative care team also provides support to families and carers.
For more on this, see our general section on Palliative care and Living with advanced cancer.
Watch video on how palliative treatment aims to manage symptoms and improve people’s quality of life without trying to cure the disease.
More resources
Dr Benjamin Loveday, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgeon, Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr Katherine Allsopp, Palliative Medicine Physician, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Hollie Bevans, Senior Dietitian, Radiotherapy and Oncology, Western Health, VIC; Dr Lorraine Chantrill, Head of Department Medical Oncology, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, NSW; Amanda Maxwell, Consumer; Prof Michael Michael, Medical Oncologist, Lower and Upper GI Oncology Service, Co-Chair Neuroendocrine Unit, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and University of Melbourne, VIC; Dr Andrew Oar, Radiation Oncologist, Icon Cancer Centre, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Meg Rogers, Nurse Consultant Upper GI/NET Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Ady Sipthorpe, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA.
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