Virginia Commonwealth University
VCU Massey Cancer Center
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Treatment and teams


Palliative care

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What is palliative care?

Palliative care is both a philosophy of care and an organized, highly structured system for delivering care. We strive to prevent and relieve suffering and to support the best possible quality of life for patients and their families, regardless of the stage of the disease or the need for other therapies.

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Palliative care goes beyond traditional medical treatments to enhance a way of living for patients and families, optimize physical function, help with decision making and provide opportunities for personal growth.

Palliative care can be delivered concurrently with life-prolonging care or as the main focus of care. We treat patients at the Thomas Palliative Care Unit of the VCU Massey Cancer Center with this very special form of care.

Other guidelines can be found at the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care 2004 at http://www.nationalconsensusproject.org.

 

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© 2006 Virginia Commonwealth University, All rights reserved.
VCU Massey Cancer Center
401 College Street, P.O. Box 980037
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0037
Phone: (804) 828-0450  Fax: (804) 828-8453
Last updated: 5/31/2006

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