Over the course of your care for lung cancer, your doctor may recommend that you consider hospice care among the options. Hospice care centers on palliation, meaning focus on relief of pain and other troubling symptoms of an illness, rather than on furthering efforts to cure it. Palliation is usually advised when an illness is not responding to current treatment, or when curative treatments are unlikely to be helpful.

Entering hospice means that treatment will focus on comfort rather than cure. Palliative care refers specifically to the medical approach of symptom management, such as relieving pain, agitation and discomfort.

With hospice, you may choose to keep your private physician, or have your care directed by our medical directors, who are Board-certified and palliative care specialists specifically trained in pain management and symptom control.

You may elect to receive hospice care in your home or that of a loved one. Care is also available in hospitals, nursing homes, foster care homes and assisted living facilities; in short, wherever you are living at the time. Our services are the same, regardless of location.

Over time, you may experience problems common to persons with advanced lung cancer. Breathing difficulties, while uncommon, do respond well to medications, oxygen and other therapies. Pain is treated aggressively, with state-of-the-art medicines that enhance comfort and minimize drowsiness. Effective treatments are also available for problems like weakness, fatigue and weight loss. Pharmacists, dietitians and other consultants are available as part of the hospice team.

Talk more with your doctor about hospice care and whether it may be right for you at this time in your illness.