Palliative care is the special care of a person whose disease cannot be cured. Palliative care provides comfort and support to the person and family. Palliative care does not hasten or delay death.

• The goals of palliative care are to; ease pain and other symptoms (such as depression, upset stomach)
• help the person to have a clear mind
• support the person, family and friends.

Why is it important that people know about palliative care?
It may help when:

• people know someone with cancer or other illnesses that may end life
• people are dealing with cancer themselves

The need for palliative care:

• By the year 2010 there will be 95,000 deaths due to cancer in Canada, an increase of 51% since 1998.
• In 1998 the expected number of cancer deaths in Edmonton and area was 1401. By the year 2011, it is expected to be 2206.
• 85% of people cared for in palliative care have cancer