The Louisiana Legislature passed a bill today to support the implementation of a Palliative Care Advisory Council within the Louisiana Department of Health to provide consumer and provider education on services available throughout the state. Palliative care can provide better quality of life for cancer patients, and those with other chronic diseases, and their families by focusing on relieving the pain, stress and other symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment.
In response, Lance Barbour, Louisiana government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), released the following statement:
“On behalf of the more than 26,800 estimated Louisiana residents who will hear the words “you have cancer” this year, we applaud our state legislators for supporting this crucial palliative care bill.
“Their decision will improve quality of life for cancer patients and others battling chronic diseases by increasing awareness of palliative care, one of the fastest growing trends in health care.
“Palliative care treats the whole person, not just their disease, by giving patients more control and helping to take away some of the pain, fear and anxiety they may feel after diagnosis, and during treatment and recovery.
“Palliative care also works to improve the lives of cancer patients by making coordination of care standard protocol during their treatment and is provided by a team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who work together to provide an extra layer of support. Palliative care can actually lead to a longer, more satisfying life for cancer patients and those with other major health conditions.”
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit acscan.org.