Palliative Care

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Patient Quality of Life

Most Americans and even many doctors have it wrong.  Palliative care is not just about end of life care.   

Palliative care services support patients from the point of diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond. 

Palliative care is coordinated patient care that treats the patient as well as the disease.  It provides cancer patients and their caregivers an extra layer of support, making available a team of experts focused on relieving pain, managing emotional stress and other supportive services. 

This care improves the quality of life of cancer patients and cancer survivors, saving lives and reducing health care costs. 

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National

Congress: Pass PCHETA And Help Improve The Quality Of Life For Cancer Patients

Ask your Members of Congress to support PCHETA to improve the quality of life for patients of all ages living with cancer, as well as their families and caregivers.

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Latest Updates

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Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act Reintroduced

May 19, 2022
National

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) reintroduced the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA), which charges the federal government with expanding both the availability and scope of palliative care services across the country. The bipartisan bill would increase federal

2020 Maine Session Summary

April 23, 2020
Maine

Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold new public policies that promote cancer prevention, early detection of cancer, and expand access to quality, affordable health care. Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of Mainers touched by cancer and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease. In

Statement: Leaders of Nation’s Charitable Nonprofits Urge Congress to Go Further

March 23, 2020
National

Nearly 200 leading nonprofit organizations, including the American Cancer Society and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, are calling on Congress to ensure there is robust relief for the nonprofit sector in stimulus packages under consideration.

Cancer Candor Blog

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Ensuring Childhood Cancer Patients Can Survive and Thrive

August 30, 2019
Related States: 
New Mexico

We’re proud to join the cancer community this September in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and will continue to focus our advocacy efforts year-round to improve the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for childhood cancer patients and survivors.

Palliative Care Resources

Disparities in Palliative Care

February 4, 2021

Palliative care is coordinated patient care that treats the patient as well as the disease.  It provides cancer patients and their caregivers an extra layer of support, making available a team of experts focused on relieving pain, managing emotional stress and offering other supportive services.

Cancer Survivor Views: The Importance of Appropriate Palliative Care

March 20, 2020

In August-September 2019, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) — through its Survivor Views Project  — conducted a survey of cancer patients and survivors to determine whether they were asking for and getting appropriate palliative care treatment. 

Palliative Care: Key Studies on Cost Savings

March 11, 2020

This table lists key studies and review articles that examine the effect that the addition of palliative care has on overall patient costs. While results vary, the addition of palliative care typically either reduces overall costs or is cost neutral.