- With Mayo Clinic nurse educator
Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
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Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
Sheryl M. Ness
Sheryl Ness, R.N., O.C.N., is a nurse educator for the Cancer Education Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She helps inform patients, families and caregivers about services and resources to help them through the cancer journey.
She has a master's degree in nursing from Augsburg College. In addition, she is an assistant professor of oncology at the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and is certified as a specialist in oncology nursing. Sheryl has worked for more than 20 years at Mayo Clinic as an educator. She has a keen interest in the importance of the quality of life and concerns of people living with cancer.
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Living with cancer blog
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Jan. 21, 2012
Palliative care focuses on pain relief and quality of care
By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
A few weeks ago, we discussed hospice care. This week, I'd like to focus on the importance of palliative care. Palliative care is designed with the primary goal of improving pain relief and quality of life.
The idea is to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of a person with a serious or life-threatening illness. Like hospice care, palliative care is not just for cancer patients.
Palliative care should be provided along with and throughout your cancer treatment. A palliative care specialist can partner with your cancer doctor to create a treatment plan that eases symptoms, relieves pain, addresses spiritual and psychological concerns, and helps maintain dignity and comfort.
By reducing uncomfortable symptoms, side effects and pain during treatment, you are more likely to complete your cancer treatment successfully and maintain an improved quality of life. This is especially true for cancer survivors.
Often, palliative care specialists work as part of a multidisciplinary team to coordinate care. This palliative care team may consist of doctors, nurses, registered dieticians, pharmacists, psychologists, rehabilitation therapists, chaplains and social workers. Together, you can formulate a plan that supports your personal needs and goals for treatment and care.
Ask your care provider about palliative care if you feel you would benefit from these services. Share your thoughts and experiences on palliative care with each other.
Follow me on Twitter @SherylNess1. Join the discussion at #livingwithcancer.
9 comments posted
January 22, 2013 7:32 p.m.
Palliative Care is a fancy new name for Hospice.
- Pete
May 31, 2012 4:24 p.m.
I would like to know the benefits of Pallative chemo on a pt with pancreatic cancer that has mets to the liver.
- Jo
January 31, 2012 10:54 a.m.
Pallative care is in no way assisted suicide. It is a part of getting the best care possible when you have a chronic (not terminal)disease. The pallative care team help patients and their families with the physical,emotional, and spiritual challenges that occur with long term illnessess. It is made up of doctors, chaplians, case workers, and others who are there to help make life better for you and your family.
- Jackie
January 27, 2012 10:16 a.m.
Mayo Clinic Medical Edge Radio is having a discussion on Palliative Care featuring Dr. Moynihan this weekend - Saturday. Here is a link to the site- http://radio.mayoclinic.org/
- Sheryl
January 26, 2012 11:27 p.m.
To Roy, I don't know your faith beliefs. But let me say this. "Assisted suicide." A big no, to us Christians. Why? (1) As Christians, we do not have any right to take a life,including our own lives. (2) it is a cup out (3) one has lost hope in God, who has given all hope in Christ Jesus. Please seek spiritual direction,a Palliative Care Team may be able to help you. A HOspital Chaplain of any Faith Denomination can help you find inner peace. My prayer for you is: Be strong and courageous for God is with you always. - Joshua 1:9. Should you not believe in God, pray anyway. You will not lose anything. You will gain all. Fervently ask for the gift of faith. God bless you. Aida
- Aida
January 26, 2012 7:37 p.m.
i would appreciate caregivers listening to the patient and family...if they want to talk about living and do not want to speak about death..caregivers need to honor patients wishes, rather than telling the patient, "it will not be long now." That comment stole our atmosphere of hope.
- mickey
January 26, 2012 12:20 p.m.
When I was in treatment there was a direct correlation between pain and my sense of hope. When pain was manageable I had an abundance of hope.
- Patricia
January 26, 2012 12:10 p.m.
assisted suicide! for those that value quality of life & find that their quality of living has been reduced severely that every day is lived in pain. this idea has been gaining ground in the last few years. your thoughts?
- roy
January 26, 2012 12:02 p.m.
I am very into the aftercare part of cancer and that I believe is where we will make strides in healing the inner person.....
- Bill
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