Palliative and supportive care

Supportive care encompasses a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach involving cancer prevention and health promotion, psychosocial oncology, cancer rehabilitation and survivorship, management of treatment-related toxicities, and palliative care, among others. Palliative care is increasingly recognized as a human right and an essential aspect of comprehensive cancer care. Palliative care optimizes care through recognizing and addressing patients' unique physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs, and has been shown to improve patient and caregiver outcomes; despite this, only a minority of people in need receive palliative care. Challenges related to access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, include limited policy integration, lack of healthcare provider education and training, an underdeveloped evidence base, and limited access to opioids and other essential medications. Initiatives to address these gaps have included global assessments of palliative care development, essential medication packages, and educational initiatives. Future efforts should prioritize policy change, public education, and research focused on underserved populations.