When you hear about palliative care, what comes to your mind? It is usually thought that there is nothing more to be done for that sick person or that they will die soon. But the concept of palliative care is much broader. This care aims to promote the quality of life of patients and their families who are facing a life-threatening illness, preventing and providing relief from symptoms of any type of treatment, not just in terminal cases. The doctor makes an early identification of symptoms that may cause suffering to the patient, whether of a physical, psychosocial, or spiritual nature.
Palliative care does not exclude treatment aimed at combating the disease. “In this sense, it can, whenever possible, be initiated at the time of diagnosis, always seeking a balance between treating the disease and caring for the person and the family,” emphasizes oncologist and palliative care specialist at Rede Kora, Camila Fonseca Perciano de Oliveira. As disease-modifying treatments lose ground, palliative care gains more strength. At Meridional, oncologists and a multidisciplinary team discuss the care that deserves greater emphasis according to the phase of the disease, adds Dr. Camila.
The recent news about the player Pelé, who has been hospitalized since November 29 due to the worsening of his colon cancer condition, reports that he is in exclusive palliative care. This means that the disease is at a stage of evolution where curative treatment, in addition to no longer bringing significant gains for cancer, the adverse effects of medications outweigh any potential benefits. At this moment, efforts are directed towards caring for the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual suffering symptoms of the player and his family.
Source:
- Oncologist and palliative care specialist at Rede Kora, Camila Fonseca Perciano de Oliveira
- (27) 99890-1667
Participe da conversa