Palliative care can help mesothelioma patients feel better, manage treatment side effects, and improve their quality of life.
Although there’s often confusion around when to receive palliative care, many patients, particularly those with advanced cancer or significant symptoms, can benefit from starting palliative care early. Unlike hospice care, getting palliative treatment doesn’t mean a patient is at the end of their life.
Mesothelioma Hope’s Oncology Nurse Navigator, Liz Logan, RN, answers the most common questions she gets asked about palliative care for mesothelioma.
Find out more about this type of care, how it can help, and when to get started in the answers below.
What is palliative care for mesothelioma?
Palliative care is focused on improving a patient’s quality of life by relieving symptoms, pain, and stress related to mesothelioma. It can also address emotional, social, and other challenges related to cancer.
Depending on a patient’s needs, this type of care can include medications, procedures, supportive services, and cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation when they’re used to relieve symptoms or improve comfort.
Doctors, nurses, and other specialists may work with your oncology team to help manage symptoms, support your comfort, and improve your day-to-day quality of life.
Have a specific question about palliative care? Fill out the form below to submit your question and get a personalized response from Nurse Liz.
I’m not ready for hospice. Does that mean I’m not ready for palliative care?
It’s a common misconception that palliative care and hospice care are the same thing, but they’re actually quite different.
While hospice care is generally intended for people in the final months of life who are no longer pursuing curative treatments, palliative care can begin at any time following a diagnosis — even right alongside aggressive, life-extending therapies.
You don’t need to wait until you are in severe pain or running out of options to benefit from these services. Introducing palliative care early helps manage symptoms proactively, making treatments easier to bear and offering support to both you and your loved ones from the very beginning.
What can palliative care help with besides pain?
While pain management is a foundational pillar of palliative care, the scope is broader than that. It aims to holistically address your overall comfort and well-being. A palliative team can help manage a range of physical and emotional challenges, like chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, nausea, and sleep disturbances.
Beyond medication adjustments, these specialists may help with therapeutic procedures like fluid drainage (thoracentesis or paracentesis), coordinate stress and anxiety management, and integrate alternative therapies such as massage or mindfulness. They also provide crucial counseling to help you and your family navigate complex medical decisions and emotional stress.
What type of provider would I see for this type of care?
To access palliative care for mesothelioma, start by talking with your primary care provider or your treating oncologist, who can refer you to a dedicated palliative specialist.
Depending on your specific symptoms, your care team may include:
- Advanced practice nurses
- Palliative care physicians
- Physical therapists
- Registered dietitians
- Social workers
Palliative providers often stand out because they focus on what matters most to you as an individual.
Rather than pushing for aggressive, curative treatments, they tend to be deeply empowering, listening closely to your personal goals and respecting your wishes every step of the way.
Coughing is one of my worst symptoms. Can palliative care help?
A persistent, nagging cough is a frequent and exhausting challenge for many pleural mesothelioma patients, and palliative care can potentially help.
A palliative specialist will evaluate the root cause of your cough — whether it’s related to tumor pressure, fluid buildup, or treatment side effects — and recommend treatments tailored to you.
Your options may include prescription cough medications, targeted inhalers, or fluid drainage in the chest cavity.
By bringing bothersome symptoms like a cough to a palliative provider, you can find practical ways to breathe easier.
How would I get started?
Getting started with palliative care typically follows two main options, depending on how your health care system is organized. The easiest is to ask your primary care physician or your mesothelioma oncologist to write a referral to an in-network palliative care specialist or clinic.
You can also call the customer service number on the back of your health insurance card to request a list of approved palliative care providers in your area.
Many comprehensive cancer centers also have supportive care departments that you can contact directly to schedule an initial consultation for palliative care.
I already have so many bills. Can I use insurance to pay for palliative care?
Many major health insurance plans provide coverage for palliative care services, and Medicare and Medicaid may cover certain services depending on the type of care and where you live.
However, every insurance policy is different, and coverage levels for specific procedures, medications, or outpatient consultations can vary.
Here are some tips to help protect yourself from unexpected costs:
- Call your insurance provider directly to confirm your exact copay.
- Check if you have met your deductible.
- Verify that the provider is in-network before your appointment.
- Keep records of your medical bills and payments.
If you’re worried about costs, don’t hesitate to ask the hospital or clinic’s financial counselor about any available financial assistance programs.
Families affected by mesothelioma may also be eligible for different types of financial compensation, which can be used to help offset any expenses insurance didn’t pay for.
Connect With Nurse Liz for Mesothelioma Support
A mesothelioma diagnosis can feel daunting, but Mesothelioma Hope is here to help. Nurse Liz and the rest of our caring, knowledgeable Patient Advocates are standing by to provide expert insight and a listening ear.
We can help you determine your palliative care options, find a specialist, and explore options to pay for all types of care.
Give us a call at (866) 608-8933 or fill out our contact form to learn more.
