Pain & Palliative Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can benefit from palliative care?
Any adult patient at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center may take advantage of the Pain and Palliative Care Service. Palliative care can be helpful through all stages of illness. Early on, it can help make medical treatments more tolerable; at later stages, it can reduce suffering, help you carry on with your daily life, assist you in planning for future medical care, and provide support for living with a life-threatening illness.
How are these services paid for?
Most insurance programs pay for our services. However, the program is available to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
How is palliative care different from hospice?
Hospice care is intended for patients in the last stage of life, usually the final six months, while palliative care can be helpful for patients at any stage of a serious illness.
