Palliative care is something that’s carried out simultaneously with cancer treatments.  It’s a common misconception that palliative (pain-reducing) care is something that begins only once conventional cancer treatments have failed.  Without addressing the pain and depression that often accompanies a battle with cancer, it’s difficult for the patient to maintain a positive attitude about their treatment.  We work to reduce the physical and psychological pain faced by a patient as well as the social implications of their situation not only when a disease has reached a terminal phase, but simultaneously with the primary treatment.  The palliative care team will work together with the patient’s primary physician to ease their discomfort and support them as they move forward with their life.