Treatment of cancer in different stages may have different objectives. Main goal of treatment may be that the patient should be completely healthy, it can be to prolong life and may be pure symptom relief, such as pain relief, relief of nausea and psychological support.


World Health Organization defines palliative care as the active treatment and care for patients with incurable disease and short life expectancy. Relief from pain and other distressing symptoms are central, together with measures aimed at the psychological, social problems, and spiritual / existential needs. The aim of all treatment and care is that patients and their families should have the best possible quality of life.

Talking openly with
It is important that health professionals, patients and their families talk openly with the goal of treatment. Patients and their families must be assured that the information they receive about the future prospects and the expected effect of treatment is truthful and realistic. Doctor and nurse must have ample time for such discussions with patients and their families. Many health authorities have now established palliative team, which means that doctors and nurses work with other disciplines such as physiotherapist, social worker and chaplain. Many hospitals have their own palliative devices. In addition to palliative units in hospitals and nursing homes, there are also separate Hospice for seriously ill and dying. There are not many of them in the country. Some nursing homes have created their own beds-Hospice.

Most time at home
Most patients who need palliasjon, wants as much time as possible at home. It requires that they receive close follow-up. To achieve security, it is important to know who is responsible and who they can contact. Individual plan, which is now legislate, is a good help. In such a plan will be goals, needs and responsibilities for treatment and follow-up to be written down.

Medicine has come a long way, and that much research when it comes to relieving pain and other physical symptoms for cancer patients. It developed a tool that maps the individual's physical and mental problems, ESA (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System) provides a good overview of the symptoms that each patient has, and while it is a good starting point for communication. Good palliative care is to experience the confidence that healthcare professionals know how to provide adequate and proper medical treatment.

Life-prolonging treatment
The life-prolonging treatment and the relief of physical symptoms, you must always have the expected effect of treatment, ie possible life extension and possible symptomatic relief, assessed against the possible deterioration of quality of life that may occur as a result of treatment side effects.

The palliative phase
In the palliative phase of life, it is important to plan how you want things to be open and honest with their relatives and talk about what needs you have, so you can spend your time on what the individual is most important.