Supportive care refers to all the care and support that a person with a serious, chronic illness may need throughout his or her life. In oncology, supportive care is complementary to specific cancer treatments (surgery, radio-oncology, medical oncology, etc.).
The global approach to supportive care results in the coordination of multidisciplinary medical and paramedical staff. It aims to :
- Actively involve the patient in his or her care and give him or her confidence in this new stage of life
- Directing people with cancer to the available resources best suited to their personal situation
- Helping the patient to manage the physical, psychological, social and emotional impacts of their illness