Improve patient quality of life

To the editor:

As a cancer survivor, I’ve experienced first-hand how the mental and physical side effects of treatment can take a toll on one’s quality of life. As health care professionals focus on the cancer treatment itself, comfort and concerns such as pain, nausea, shortness of breath and anxiety are sometimes overlooked.

That’s where palliative care can help. It’s a growing field of specialized medical care that improves the quality of life of patients and their families by focusing on symptoms of treatment for a serious disease such as cancer. Palliative care is a big change in health care delivery, and it works in favor of the patient.

Last week, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to urge Congressman Bruce Poliquin (R-Maine) to co-sponsor a bill currently pending in Congress that would increase education of and access to palliative care.

Our lawmakers must take this opportunity to increase access to palliative care so patients and their families have that extra layer of support when they need it most. I know our conversation made a difference in the halls of Congress, and I encourage you to add your voice.

Visit www.acscan.org to be connected to people like me in your community.

Karin Howe, volunteer

American Cancer Society

Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)

Wade