From Magen Brailey, MPAS, PA-C
July 30, 2025
Supportive care is specialized medical care for those living with serious illness. It provides an extra layer of support for those undergoing treatments for diseases like cancer. Goals for supportive care include easing symptom burdens and improving quality of life for both the patient and family. Pain relief, better sleep quality, reduced anxiety, and improved sense of wellness are only a few of our priorities when you begin seeing your supportive care specialist. Supportive care considers the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects of care, and views the person beyond the cancer treatment.
OHC Advanced Practice Provider Magen Brailey, MPAS, PA-C
Ed has been seeing his cancer doctor for the last two months while undergoing treatments for his lung cancer. He enjoys working as an air traffic controller and spending time with his wife and two teenage children. Ed especially looks forward to taking trips with his family. In fact, he is thinking ahead about a vacation that has been planned for some time.
Recently, Ed told his cancer doctor that he is having more difficulty with pain, which is affecting his ability to sleep well. Poor sleep quality is making it difficult for Ed to concentrate at work. He describes feeling more agitated by normal family interactions. Ed shared that, overall, he is anxious and somewhat depressed about his health condition. Ed’s cancer doctor confirmed that these feelings are common, and recommended that Ed meet with a supportive care specialist. Ed learned how supportive care can be combined with his cancer treatments for managing symptoms, framing goals of care, and feeling his best.
Fast Facts:
- Supportive care is delivered by a team of experts who have additional training in managing and treating concerns that may arise from serious illness.
- Pain management is just one focus of supportive care, though there are many other symptoms that can be routinely addressed.
- Supportive care is often given together with cancer treatments. Sometimes, supportive care may begin before starting treatments. There is usually no need to interrupt the treatment schedule.
- Supportive care is appropriate for any stage of serious illness, regardless of illness duration.
- Family and caregiver support are a vital part of supportive care, offering help for coping with the illness of a loved one and decreasing distress amongst family caregivers.
- Supportive care is all about treating the patient, as well as the disease.
At OHC, we have several supportive care team members who are dedicated to providing assistance from the beginning of your journey. Starting early with supportive care will help better manage your symptoms and concerns instead of waiting until they become problematic. If you haven’t spoken with a supportive care specialist yet, ask your OHC care team to schedule a visit with one today. We’re here to support you in every way we can, while you focus on what matters most, beating cancer.
