Understanding terminology - mum diagnosed this week

My mum was diagnosed with lung cancer this week. She knew on Wednesday and had radiotherapy in the hospital yesterday. We have never dealt with this (thankfully) and are really confused about the terminology and process.

She hasn't had a biopsy yet so we know little about what stage/type etc and were trying to be optimistic - i am 4 months pregnant with my first baby and we are all hopeful she will be able to enjoy her grandchild when it arrives. After visiting yesterday and being there when a dr mentioned sending her home for pallative care my mind is now in overdrive - I have only ever experienced this as part of some of my previous jobs and thought this was essentially end of life care?! 

I'm confused about how they can say this without a biopsy?! Does it mean they know more than they are saying? Have I mistaken pallative care for something its not? I know nobody can give me answers but I just wondered if anyone had any experience of pallative care and whether this is a term used outside of end of life care. 

  • Hi,

    Many people conflate palliative and end of life care. My family did when I was diagnosed which caused a lot of stress.

    Palliative care just means they're treating the symptoms and not trying to cure the patient (curative care). e.g. trying to get a throat tumour to shrink to enable the patient to swallow.

    Other people conflate Stage 4 cancer with terminal cancer. I've been living with Stage 4 cancer for several years after undergoing chemo as palliative care so it isn't yet terminal. Terminal  is rarely used by doctors but it traditionally means death is likely within 6 weeks and is when end of life care would be delivered. 

    I hope this helps

    Dave