This month we have focused on quality-of-life issues and this episode is part one of a two part series on the “Magic of Palliative Care”. At times the term palliative care is misunderstood and so we also use the newer term supportive care to better explain how this care supports your quality of life as you go through MBC treatment. We first turn our focus to the medical providers who help us manage symptoms and treatment side effects and, by doing so, improve multiple aspects of our lives. Cohost Natalia Green is joined by new cohost Dr. Paula Jayne with interviews of two medical providers, Anita McDonald, FNP and Kimberly Curseen, MD, who see supportive care as essential to their work with people living with MBC.

Mentioned in this Episode

To find out if there is an outpatient palliative care center in your area, enter your zip code & then click on “office / clinic” for outpatient care on this website.


2017 ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline Update (Guidelines updated in 2024) on the integration of palliative care into cancer care. Their recommendation:  “Inpatients and outpatients with advanced cancer should receive dedicated palliative care services, early in the disease course, concurrent with active treatment. Referral of patients to interdisciplinary palliative care teams is optimal, and services may complement existing programs. Providers may refer family and friend caregivers of patients with early or advanced cancer to palliative care services.”   

Other Presentations

Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) webinar with Dr. Curseen 

Understanding Palliative Care Powerpoint Presentation by Dr. Janet Abrahm

Dr BJ Miller - TED Talk on Palliative medicines (watch video).

Articles

ASCO article on Supportive & Palliative Care

Sorting out the Confusion between Palliative Care and Hospice Care

Meet the Guests of this Episode

Anita McDonald, FNP
Nurse Practioner
Utah Cancer Specialists
Kimberly A. Curseen, MD
Director of Supportive and Palliative Care Outpatient Services - Emory Healthcare
Director and Primary Provider - Supportive Oncology Clinic

No one should face MBC alone.
Whether you have a diagnosis yourself, or you're a friend, family member or caregiver of someone with a diagnosis, we're here to lend support, give information, share experiences, and to lift you up every time you need it. Research has proven that having the support we need during our most challenging times is paramount to honing coping skills and striving for wellness. Our supportive network is made of people just like you, who DO know what it's like, who HAVE been there, who CAN help.

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Project Life and A Dash of Joy

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Introducing the BECOME Project & Survey