Sadly, for some young people with cancer cure is not possible either because their outlook is poor from diagnosis or because despite anti-cancer treatment their cancer progresses or recurs.
When cure is not possible the goal of treatment and care is to help the young person live as well as they can. Palliative care plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal and our aim is to work with young people and their families to achieve the best experience possible
We aim to provide symptom management and work closely with the hospital palliative care team to ensure that the young people in our care a given an holistic patient centered approach to their illness.
Psychological care of both patients and relatives is also at the forefront of what we do, aiming to empower the young person to be in control as much as they want to be. There is also lots of practical support we can offer regarding for example- finances, digital legacy and funeral planning.
For a patient with a non curative disease there can often be life left to live and as a team we encourage and facilitate our patients to embrace dreams and make memories.
For more information visit https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/get-help/support-friends-and-family/if-treatment-isnt-likely-cure-cancer
