By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    migraine home remedies and-devices
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    learn to recognize and treat yeast infections
    Most Commonly Asked Questions About Yeast Infections
    November 17, 2021
    Advanced lung cancer diagnosis systems used by doctors
    Advanced Lung Cancer Diagnosis Systems Used by Doctors
    March 6, 2022
    Latest News
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    July 31, 2025
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Image
    Boomer Voice
    June 12, 2013
    The Anatomy of Health Insurance [Infographic]
    April 19, 2012
    Patient Commando Features Canadian Women Changing Healthcare
    August 23, 2013
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: What is Cancer Supportive Care and How Can It Help Cancer Patients?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > What is Cancer Supportive Care and How Can It Help Cancer Patients?
Specialties

What is Cancer Supportive Care and How Can It Help Cancer Patients?

John Henning
John Henning
Share
7 Min Read
cancer supportive care
Shutterstock Photo License - By Africa Studio
SHARE

Cancer supportive care is often used interchangeably with palliative care because their similarities outweigh their distinctions. Tremendous advances in early and advanced-stage cancer detection mean people live with symptoms longer, but supportive and palliative care exists as a way to promote patient well-being, despite the confusing terminology used.

Contents
What is Cancer Supportive Care?How Palliative Care and Supportive Care DifferHow Cancer Supportive Care Helps Cancer PatientsThe 1960-1970 Supportive Care MovementExamples of Supportive Care TherapiesCancer RehabilitationBehavioral TherapiesNutritional SupportSpiritual AdviceNaturopathic MedicinePain ManagementHow to Receive Supportive Care

What is Cancer Supportive Care?

Clinical trials are becoming a lot more important with providing cancer treatments. They have also played an important role in cancer supportive care.

Cancer supportive care is the process of preventing and managing the adverse effects related to treatment and the disease itself. When a doctor uses supportive care measures, they are attempting to manage psychological symptoms, physical symptoms, and side-effects from chemotherapy and other drugs. If done correctly, intervention can decrease the risk of developing cancer a second time and improves the possibility of survival and rehabilitation.

To clear up a common cancer misconception: supportive care doesn’t mean end-of-life care. Doctors will work actively with cancer patients through lifestyle changes and medical intervention to improve their quality of life in the here and now. Supportive care is active during cancer therapy.

More Read

Is It Time to See a Cardiologist?
5 Tips To Recover After A Personal Injury
Lyme Disease Rate 10 Times Higher Than Expected
Curbing Cravings: 6 Tips for Stopping Accidental Overeating
Customer Service Portal for Medical Equipment Saves Time and Work

How Palliative Care and Supportive Care Differ

Palliative care and supportive care are similar in that they relieve the adverse effects of serious illnesses, but palliative care seeks to improve the quality of life for the patient and family. Palliative care isn’t specific to cancer, can be administered at any time, and appropriate for anyone receiving life-prolonging therapies through an inpatient or outpatient setting.

How Cancer Supportive Care Helps Cancer Patients

The 1960-1970 Supportive Care Movement

Metastatic cancer was first cured in the 1950s when methotrexate was used to treat damaged cells called tumors. At the time, the lasting effects of chemotherapy weren’t well known, and it wasn’t easy to determine how much of the drug was necessary to destroy cancerous cells. Cancer patients were terrified by the effects of the treatment, and many declined it. Many people died of cancer due to their fears of these treatments.

As a response, the supportive care movement was created to minimize treatment toxicities. A guideline was developed that addressed side effects like antiemetics, neutropenia, mucositis, and more. This guide is essential for easing the pain and fear associated with chemotherapy, and as treatment continues to evolve, more alternative and commentary medicine techniques emerge.

Examples of Supportive Care Therapies

Adding supportive care to your cancer treatment can benefit you in many ways but can’t replace chemotherapy. Consult your doctor if you want to suspend or change treatment.

Cancer Rehabilitation

There are multiple side effects related to cancer treatment and the disease itself. Some can be minimized through physical, occupational, or speech therapy, but it’s better to use these interventions before concluding treatment. Light exercise and messages can reduce the length of hospitalization, infections, and damage in areas near the cancerous tumor.

Behavioral Therapies

Depression and anxiety are common mental health issues that can develop during treatment. Patients will experience emotions that will be difficult to handle without a psychiatrist, therapist, or support group. Doctors will work with patients to help them achieve restful sleep, relaxation, and lifestyle changes that will ease the stress associated with fighting cancer.

Nutritional Support

Studies show that certain foods are more likely to create cancer in the body than others. For example, high cholesterol diets will multiply cancer cells more than 100-fold. Your doctor will likely advise you to avoid fatty foods, most meats, and sometimes dairy. Malnutrition is another hurdle to climb since patients can lose up to 50 pounds without nutritional support.

Spiritual Advice

Religious patients may go through a crisis of faith or have questions about their position in the universe after the diagnosis. Plenty of non-religious folks turn to god during this time to receive support from a community or another being. A doctor may give the option to seek out worship services or eastern religious practices, like meditation, as a way to cope.

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine uses a more “natural approach” to promote wellness. For example, herbs and supplements can be useful for cancer patients who are suffering from side effects like nausea or restless sleep. Replacing chemotherapy for natural remedies is dangerous, and some supplements could interfere with your care. Ask your doctor before seeing a naturopath.

Pain Management

Unfortunately, cancer treatment is painful due to surgery, tumors, poor blood circulation, and weakening white blood cell count. Radiation and chemotherapy may also be painful, so doctors will ease patient discomfort by prescribing pain medication. Some therapies can help manage pain through exercise and strength training as long as they don’t strain themselves.

How to Receive Supportive Care

It’s becoming easier for cancer patients to gain access to supportive care. Ask a receptionist, nurse, or doctor in a cancer hospital or designated wing to provide supportive care or to direct you to someone who can. Sometimes supportive care is located in more than one place in the hospital, so it’s vital to search for the right group that can help you or your family.

If your hospital doesn’t provide supportive care, you may need to research another location in your area or find a support group online. If there’s a specific symptom that’s bothering you, like joint pain or weight loss, discuss with your doctor ways that a supportive care measure can help. Doctors can supplement supportive care by counseling or providing the proper diet or exercises you need to improve your quality of life.

TAGGED:cancer supportive carecancer therapycancer treatment
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By John Henning
John Henning is a nutritionist, freelance writer, and food blogger that provides accessible nutrition info to help people live a healthier life. His unique approach to nutrition emphasizes nutrient-dense, whole foods and healthy habits rather than restrictive diets.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
Health
July 31, 2025
holistic dental
Holistic Dentist Services Are Natural and Safe
Dental health Specialties
July 28, 2025
botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025
Telemedicine Apps
Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
Health
July 20, 2025

You Might also Like

dental practice construction tips
Dental health

Budgeting and Financing Tips for Constructing a New Dental Office

July 15, 2024
Understanding Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: 5 Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Dental health

Understanding Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: 5 Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

March 7, 2024

Working Out Alone vs Working out in a Group: Which works best?

April 23, 2017
Hemp seeds
Specialties

How Is CBD Extracted From Hemp?

September 9, 2019
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?