Palliative Oncology: The Overlooked Side Of Cancer Care

Susmitha G

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When people hear the word cancer, the first thing that comes to mind is treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, surgery, new drugs, and lastly, experimental trials. The conversation almost always circles around the cure on how to fight, how to shrink the tumor, how to beat the odds.

But here’s a reality we don’t talk about enough: not everyone can be cured. Not every patient has the luxury of an early-stage diagnosis or access to cutting-edge therapies. And even for those undergoing treatment, the physical and emotional toll can be overwhelming.

This is where palliative oncology steps in, often in the background, but with life-changing impact. Yet, it remains one of the most under-recognized areas in cancer care.

The Human Side of Cancer That Gets Ignored

Picture this.

A 55-year-old man in a Tier-2 city in India, diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. His oncologist has already explained that curative treatment is unlikely. He is in pain, unable to sleep, too weak to eat, and constantly anxious about his family’s future.

What matters most to him now? Another round of aggressive chemo? Or the ability to spend his evenings comfortably with his children, free from unbearable pain?

This is not an isolated story. Thousands of patients and families go through this every day, yet the supportive side of cancer care is often pushed aside. The race for a cure overshadows the need for comfort.

What Exactly is Palliative Oncology?

Palliative oncology is a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on enhancing the quality of life for patients with cancer. It doesn’t mean “giving up.” It doesn’t mean stopping treatment.

Instead, it works alongside curative or life-prolonging therapies to manage:

Pain – often one of the most distressing symptoms in cancer.
Physical discomfort – nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, breathlessness.
Emotional struggles – anxiety, depression, fear, hopelessness.
Social and spiritual needs – helping families cope, preparing for transitions, addressing existential concerns.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, nearly 70% of cancer cases in India are diagnosed at advanced stages. At this point, curative treatment often has limited benefit. However, when palliative care is integrated early, it can significantly improve quality of life.

And yet, the reality is stark:

Only a small fraction of hospitals offer specialized palliative care services.
Access to opioids for pain management is still heavily restricted due to regulatory hurdles.
Training in palliative care is minimal. Most doctors and nurses graduate without any structured exposure to it.
Families often equate palliative care with “end-of-life only,” which prevents them from seeking help early.

Why the Healthcare System Often Misses This

The medical education system is heavily tilted towards curative treatment. From the very first year, doctors are trained to think about diagnosis, treatment plans, surgical skills, and drug regimens. The word “palliative” often appears only in passing.

This leads to three big problems:

Undervaluing patient comfort – Doctors may see pain management as secondary to “treating the disease.”
Delayed referrals – Patients are sent to palliative care very late, often only when all treatment options are exhausted.
Communication gaps – Breaking bad news, handling end-of-life conversations, or supporting families are skills rarely taught formally.

The irony? Patients consistently rate comfort, dignity, and emotional support as top priorities, often as important as survival.

Why Palliative Oncology is Not “Giving Up”

One common myth around palliative oncology is that it’s only for patients who are dying. But research tells a different story.

In fact, early integration of palliative care alongside active treatment has been shown to:

Improve patient quality of life.
Reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.
Lower healthcare costs.
Sometimes even extends survival.

For example, a landmark study in lung cancer patients showed that those who received palliative care early not only lived better but lived longer than those who received only aggressive treatment.

So the narrative has to change: palliative oncology is not about less care — it’s about better care.

The Skill Gap Among Healthcare Professionals

Here’s where upskilling becomes crucial.

Most oncologists, nurses, and general physicians want to provide better supportive care, but simply don’t have the training. How do you titrate morphine safely? How do you assess pain in a patient who cannot speak? How do you counsel a family that just heard their loved one’s cancer is incurable?

These are not intuitive skills. They need structured learning and practice. And unfortunately, they are missing from most curriculums.

That’s why programs that focus on palliative oncology training are essential. They give professionals the confidence to handle real-world situations compassionately and competently.

A Step Forward: Training Nurses for the Future

Nurses, in particular, play a central role in palliative oncology. They are the first point of contact for patients, the ones who monitor daily symptoms, and often the emotional anchor for families.

Medvarsity’s Advanced Certificate in Cancer and Palliative Care Nursing is designed with this exact need in mind. The course focuses on:

Principles of cancer and palliative care.
Symptom assessment and management.
Pain relief strategies, including safe opioid use.
Communication skills for end-of-life care.
Supporting families through difficult decisions.

For nurses, this kind of training is more than just an academic upgrade. It’s a way to stay relevant in a fast-changing medical world, while also making a profound difference in patient lives.

The Global Perspective

It’s not just India. Worldwide, the demand for palliative oncology is rising as cancer cases grow and people live longer with chronic conditions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly emphasized that palliative care is a human right. Yet even in developed countries, access is patchy. The problem is universal: not enough trained professionals, too few integrated services, and a cultural reluctance to talk about life’s final stages.

This makes upskilling even more urgent. Every oncologist, every nurse, every general practitioner should have at least foundational training in palliative oncology.

The Emotional Weight on Families

Another overlooked aspect is the impact on caregivers.

Families of cancer patients often feel lost. They juggle hospital visits, financial stress, and emotional exhaustion. Without proper guidance, they may not know how to handle a loved one’s pain, how to give basic care at home, or how to cope with their own grief.

Trained palliative care professionals can support families just as much as patients — teaching them, reassuring them, and helping them find meaning during a very difficult journey.

Cancer care is not just about survival rates or medical breakthroughs. It’s about how patients live every single day. Palliative oncology may not always cure, but it heals in another way. It restores dignity, reduces suffering, and brings comfort when it’s needed most.

For healthcare professionals, investing in this skill set is not optional anymore. It’s part of being truly patient-centered.

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