ASCO Guideline Update Highlights the Importance of Early Integration of Palliative Care for Patients With Cancer

• August 30, 2024
• Resources

Growing awareness of the benefits of palliative care in patients with cancer has prompted
ASCO to update its recommendations for clinicians, patients, caregivers, and health-care
organizations on integrating palliative care in oncology. The updated guideline reinforces prior
recommendations in the 2016 guidelines on early integration of palliative care in oncology
while expanding the role of palliative care into patient populations who are often underserved:
patients with hematologic malignancies and those in early-phase clinical trials. The guideline
Expert Panel consisted of a multidisciplinary group with expertise in medical and radiation
oncology, hematology, and palliative care, as well as a patient representative. Members
reviewed 52 randomized controlled trials that compared palliative care interventions and
measured outcomes such as quality of life and psychosocial measures. Despite a growing
understanding of the importance of palliative care, there remains a stigma among both patients
and clinicians that palliative care is synonymous with “giving up.” Read More HERE>>