The Conversation: Supportive Care for Lung Cancer Patients
Meg Maley, RN, BSN, hosts a panel discussion around the topic of supportive care for lung cancer patients. Dr. Eric Roeland, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at UC San Diego, Niki Koesel, MSN, ANP, ACHPN, FPCN, Director of Palliative Care, Carolinas Healthcare System, Levine Cancer Institute, and Randy Broad, a 7-year lung cancer patient, join in the discussion.
The participants discuss supportive vs. palliative care, explaining that palliative care is actually an additional layer of support for patients and families. Discussing palliative care at the time of diagnosis will help the patient learn about all options and will lead to the best quality of life for cancer patients.
The Conversation then turns to the healing vs. curing debate. Niki and Randy both agree that healing is individual and depends greatly on the patient’s situation and perspective.
The panel then discusses the patient experience during treatment for lung cancer, and the challenges involved. Discernible challenges for patients going through treatment, especially chemotherapy, are the fear of hair loss and the onset of nausea.
Niki then talks about cachexia: what it is, and how it can be treated. She further explains how cachexia can be a heavy burden for patients and caregivers, and references several treatment options such as medications, energy conservation therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
The Conversation concludes with all participants agreeing on the importance of communication and shared decision-making with the medical team.
Watch and listen as these esteemed participants discuss topical issues in Supportive Care for Lung Cancer Patients.
The Conversation: Supportive Care for Lung Cancer Patients from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.
