Improving Palliative Care for Cancer

In our society's aggressive pursuit of cures for cancer, we have neglected symptom control and comfort care. Less than one percent of the National Cancer Institute's budget is spent on any aspect of palliative care research or education, despite the half million people who die of cancer each year and the larger number living with cancer and its symptoms. Improving Palliative Care for Cancer examines the barriers--scientific, policy, and social--that keep those in need from getting good palliative care. It goes on to recommend public- and private-sector actions that would lead to the development of more effective palliative interventions; better information about currently used interventions; and greater knowledge about, and access to, palliative care for all those with cancer who would benefit from it.

Summary

In our society's aggressive pursuit of cures for cancer, we have neglected symptom control and comfort care. This work examines the barriers - scientific, policy, and social - that keep those in need away from getting good palliative care. It also recommends actions that would lead to the development of effective palliative interventions.

Product details

• Authors: Institute of Medicine, Hellen Gelband, Kathleen M. Foley, National Cancer Policy Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences
• Assisted by: Kathleen M. Foley (Editor), Hellen Gelband (Editor), Kathleen M Foley (Editor)
• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Content: Book
• Product form: Paperback / Softback
• Publication date: 19.10.2001
• Subject: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > Clinical medicine
• EAN: 9780309074025
• ISBN: 978-0-309-07402-5
• Pages: 343
• Dimensions (packing): 15.5 x 22.8 x 2.2 cm
• Weight (packing): 549 g
• Subjects: MEDICAL / Health Policy, MEDICAL / Health Care Delivery, MEDICAL / Oncology, MEDICAL / Allied Health Services / Medical Technology, MEDICAL / Terminal Care, Medical / Nursing, MEDICAL / Pain Management