Integrative and palliative oncology

A care team holistically focused on quality of life.

Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute realizes that comfort care plays a large role in cancer care due to both the physical and emotional effects of cancer. That’s why we have the only palliative oncologists in the region. These important and unique experts work together with the rest of your care team to ensure a comprehensive approach to your treatment plan – one that prevents or addresses possible symptoms and side effects from cancer and its treatment.

Studies have shown numerous positive effects on patients receiving comfort care during their cancer journey, including:

Better symptom control.
Improved physical and mental health.
Empowerment over cancer care decisions.

What is palliative oncology?

Palliative oncology is focused on comfort care and symptom management. Palliative care is not hospice and does not mean that cancer treatment has ended. Palliative care may be provided as early as diagnosis or anywhere throughout your cancer journey and can be administered along with your cancer treatment. Depending on your specific needs, your cancer care team may include a palliative oncologist, along with other support professionals including social workers, spiritual care providers, dietitians and the survivorship team.

Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute offers palliative care at any point along your cancer journey. Ask a member of your care team if palliative care may be right for you.

COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT

Living with cancer impacts the whole person, in more ways than just having a diagnosis. Our palliative care program covers a wide range of services to support you every step of your journey with this complex disease.

Services provided

Our palliative oncologists work alongside the rest of your treatment team. Palliative oncology provides many unique, holistic services, including:

Treating the whole person by offering medical, emotional and spiritual support.
Providing treatment of pain and other symptoms so you can get as much relief as possible.
Opening discussions about treatment choices, including cancer treatment and management of symptoms.
Offering guidance and support for difficult or complex medical decisions.
Assisting with discussions concerning goals of care and advance directives.
Actively participating as part of your Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute care team, communicating and coordinating your care for a unique, comprehensive approach to treatment.
Offering compassionate family support.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Regardless of your diagnosis or where you are on your cancer journey; Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute’s Palliative Oncology program can holistically help manage your symptoms from cancer or its treatment.

Symptom management

Palliative care is designed to help you feel better, stay active and address - or even help prevent - side effects from cancer or its treatment. As part of your multidisciplinary care team, some of the symptoms your palliative oncology providers may address include:

Pain
Nausea
Fatigue
Breathing issues
Stress
Anxiety
Sleeplessness

Depending on your specific needs, your care team may include a palliative oncologist, along with other support professionals, who may include:

Social workers
Spiritual care providers
Dietitians
The Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute survivorship team

Our cancer care teams

Here at Parkview, you’ll be cared for by a team of cancer specialists and sub-specialists, not a general oncologist who treats all types of cancer.

View our care teams

Our state-of-the-art
Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute

Learn More

Call 833-724-8326 for information on scheduling an appointment.

Meet our team

Palliative oncology is one sub-specialty within your cancer care team and supplements your treatment plan. Our experts communicate and coordinate your care for a comprehensive approach to treatment. These experts are specially trained to address possible symptoms and side effects with a concentration on your specific type of cancer.

The role of these expert providers includes: