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You are here: Cancer information / Cancer type / Lung / Supportive care

Glossary

Supportive Care

Supportive care helps people meet the physical, emotional and spiritual challenges of cancer. It can help people cope with cancer, its treatment and possible side effects. It can also address practical concerns such as help at home or transportation to treatment.

 

Supportive care is delivered through a wide range of services, agencies and individuals (both professional and volunteer), to people with cancer and their loved ones.

 

Some examples of supportive care measures are:

  • follow-up visits to the doctor
  • reconstructive or rehabilitative procedures
  • nutritional counselling
  • symptom and side effect management
  • psychosocial support (such as professional counselling or support groups)
  • information about cancer

 

Palliative care services are often available for people with cancer, when the focus of their care is to relieve symptoms and make them as comfortable as possible.

 

Supportive care is an important part of cancer care. There are many programs and services available to help meet the needs of people living with cancer and their loved ones. Supportive care can help improve quality of life for everyone throughout the cancer experience.

References

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If you are outside Canada

We can give information about cancer care and support services in Canada only. To find a cancer organization in your country, visit Union for International Cancer Control or International Cancer Information Service Group.