Palliative care has emerged as a critical component of cancer treatment, providing comprehensive support beyond medical intervention. Astera Cancer Care, a pioneer in integrating palliative care within community oncology settings, exemplifies this panoramic approach. Board Certified Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Tina Basenese, MA, APN, ACHPN, of Astera Cancer Care, discusses the transformative impact of their palliative care program on patients' quality of life and survival.
"Palliative care works best directly alongside treatment, " Tina explains. "Palliative care may even extend life, contrary to what many patients might think." Palliative care plays a vital role in cancer treatment, aiming to alleviate physical symptoms while addressing the emotional, social, and psychological needs of patients and their families.
Astera Cancer Care's in-house palliative program reflects its commitment to early and comprehensive support. "We created an in-house program with specialists to offer this to you early in your cancer care. You don't have to search for this on your own or wait until you're no longer getting disease-directed treatment," Tina asserts. This proactive approach ensures that patients receive the benefits of palliative care from their diagnosis, helping them manage symptoms and maintain treatment regimens more effectively and comfortably.
"Palliative care is also called supportive care because its intention is to support you and your family, too," Tina emphasizes. "More commonly, palliative care is offered in the acute care setting, like a hospital, and utilized when treatment is complicated or not working well. It is a very different experience in the community-based setting. “Personally, I am unaware of any private practice oncology group that has embedded palliative medicine in their community-based clinic in New Jersey, “ she says. “We're changing the culture of our practice to be kinder, gentler, and more empathetic." This integration within a community setting ensures continuity of care and a more personalized patient experience.
Tina stresses the importance of understanding and embracing the terminology associated with palliative care. "Some patients and professionals have suggested “palliative care” change its name due to its historical connotation with hospice care. To that end, I am more inclined to continue to re-educate about the value of palliative care as a stand-alone specialty and allow hospice to be appropriately linked to expert end-of-life care. Let’s be honest: no one wants to need an oncologist but we accept oncology as the expert care for the treatment of cancer. Palliative care is the expert care for managing distressing pain and symptoms associated with serious illnesses.”
For Tina and the team at Astera, palliative care is about more than just medical treatment. "It's the deepest level of caring. It's about caring about you and your day-to-day, week-to-week outcomes," she reflects. This philosophy drives Astera’s mission to provide not only excellent medical care but also emotional and psychological care, enhancing patients' overall well-being.
To further epitomize the value, studies show that early palliative care leads to longer survival. "I want you to feel as good as you possibly can every day so you don’t miss one chemo, one immunotherapy treatment, one family event, or one day doing something meaningful to you,” she continues. “A Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner will ensure that your shortness of breath or cough is managed. They are going to focus on that you're not sleeping, that you're in pain, or that you have no appetite.” This comprehensive management of symptoms allows patients to adhere to their treatment plans more consistently, potentially improving their long-term outcomes. Additionally, medical cannabis is offered as part of the symptom management toolkit, helping to alleviate neuropathy, anxiety, and nausea.
Astera Cancer Care's palliative program also emphasizes advance care planning and discussing each unique person’s goals of care. "The goals can often change over time. At some point, the main goal is longevity, while later the focus may shift to control, autonomy, and quality time,” Tina notes. The program includes support from social workers who provide both practical assistance and psychotherapy, ensuring that patients and their families receive individualized, holistic care.
Astera Cancer Care’s innovative palliative program sets a new standard for patient-centered care. By embedding palliative care within their community-based oncology practice, they provide comprehensive support that addresses the full spectrum of patient needs. This approach improves the quality of life for patients, supports their families, and ensures that those facing serious illness receive the care they need to live their lives to the fullest. As Tina Basenese states, "It's about really caring about you, your outcomes, your family."
Your decisions and choices make all the difference in managing your health and maintaining control over your treatment journey, regardless of your suspected prognosis. To learn more about how Astera Cancer Care can better support you or your loved ones, visit our website and watch videos of Tina Basenese discussing our distinctive palliative program.
published: July 1, 2024, 4:55 p.m.