Cancer Center

Supportive (Palliative) Care For Persons With Cancer

What is supportive care?

Supportive, or palliative, care is aimed at comfort versus cure. The decision to accept such care versus aggressive treatment is often difficult for family members. It means accepting a poor prognosis, but it also means providing a very special kind of care to a loved one. It means a new goal of providing a peaceful, pain-free death in the presence of loved ones.

Palliative care can be provided in the hospital, at home, or in a setting specializing in such care. The duration may be long-term over several years, or short-term, lasting days or weeks. Palliative care may include chemotherapy or radiation for pain control. It is important to discuss that the goal of such therapy is not for treatment or cure, but to relieve pain and discomfort.

What are the patient''s rights?

Patient''s rights are a list of rights to ensure that the company, individual, or institution that is providing his/her care will honor the quality of care, respect, and decision-making processes. These rights will be given to the patient and family before care begins. It is similar to a contract that provides protection to the patient and family and informs them of services and limitations of the caregiver(s).

What are palliative care services?

Either in the home, hospital, or a specialized setting, the services most palliative care providers can offer are extensive. The following are some of the services offered:

psychosocial support and intervention to help the child and family members

equipment for delivery of medications, nutrition, oxygen, and suction

equipment including special beds, toilets, chairs, wheelchairs, and bath requirements

skilled nursing care, physicians, pharmacists, and specialists

medication and nutrition support

spiritual, religious, and cultural needs/requests

special services for siblings (i.e., support groups)

respite care allowing the family to rest

bereavement care

Cancer Support Programs at Rush

Cancer is not only a physical ordeal, it is also an emotional one, affecting cancer patients, their family and friends. To help address the whole person, we offer a number of resources to help patients and their loved ones cope in this difficult time. For information on the cancer support programs at Rush click here.

Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Programs at
Rush University Medical Center in Chicago

To find a cancer specialist at Rush, click on one of the following links:

To find specialist at Rush in other cancer-related areas, click on one of the following links:

Or make an appointment with a doctor at Rush by calling our toll-free physician referral number:

(888) 352-RUSH.

To reach the hospital operator, call (312) 942-5000. If you have difficulty hearing, call (312) 942-2207 (TTY/TTD).