An American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer appreciates Congressman Leonard Lance's efforts to protect cancer patient's rights.
By Judith Tutela
Whitehouse Station
To the editor:
Every day, 136 people are diagnosed with cancer in New Jersey.
Unfortunately, too many of those patients will suffer needlessly from pain, nausea and other symptoms of their treatment.
Sometimes the treatment of their disease is the focus, and symptoms and side effects are not always addressed, or could be addressed better and their doctors concentrate on treating their disease. Cancer patients deserve access to team-based care that treats the whole patient, not just their cancer.
Palliative care is a growing field of specialized medical care that focuses on relieving pain, stress and other often debilitating symptoms of a serious illness. Palliative care specialists work with a team of doctors, nurses and other specialists to provide patients an extra layer of support.
N.J. cancer patients need legislative protection | Opinion
This type of care is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and can facilitate better and more effective treatment.
As a volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, I want to thank Congressman Leonard Lance (R-7th) for co-sponsoring legislation that protects cancer patients' quality of life through expanded access to palliative care, improved training for health care providers and more comprehensive research on the benefits of palliative care.
Through this commitment, New Jersey can be a leader in supporting a coordinated approach to care that treats the person beyond the disease.
Judith Tutela is a volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.