Busting the myths of supportive cancer care

Supportive care is fundamental to the way people experience going through cancer. It’s a crucial part of helping patients and their loved ones navigate the challenges of diagnosis, treatment and recovery, yet it remains misunderstood and as a result, too often relegated to the sidelines where it is considered a luxury, not a fundamental right. 

Having recently published a paper on the topic in the journal, JCO Global Oncology, SAHMRI’s Supportive Oncology Research Group addresses some of the common myths surrounding supportive care, hoping to debunk them to ensure people receive the best possible care during and after cancer. 

Supportive care is just about comfort
Supportive care is often thought about as simply making patients feel more comfortable, but in reality it’s an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach that helps patients tolerate treatment, prevent complications, maintain quality of life and, in some cases, improve survival.

Side effects are inevitable and must be endured
Many treatment-related toxicities can be anticipated, prevented or managed. Early intervention and symptom monitoring allow clinicians to reduce the severity and impact of side effects. Symptoms shouldn't simply be accepted as an unavoidable consequence of treatment.

Modern cancer treatments don't cause significant side effects
Targeted therapies, immunotherapies and other precision treatments may cause different side effects than traditional chemotherapy, but they haven't eliminated toxicity. New treatments often bring new and complex adverse effects that require specialised management. Now is not the time to be complacent, instead it is critical to expect the unexpected as we learn more about new cancer therapies.

Supportive care doesn't impact survival
Although rare, side effects can be lethal and in some patient populations, treatment-related mortality exceeds death due to the disease itself. Living with the chronic implications of cancer and its treatment, in particular physical disfigurement or unmanageable pain, can also increase risk of suicide. Furthermore, poorly managed symptoms and treatment-related complications can lead to treatment interruptions, reduced treatment intensity and poorer disease control. Effective supportive care can improve a patient's ability to complete treatment and may contribute to longer survival.

Patients only care about survival
Research consistently shows many patients value quality of life as much as, or more than, longevity. Symptom control, functional independence, relationships and wellbeing are often just as important as extending life.

Supportive care isn't real science
The field is underpinned by rigorous research spanning basic science, clinical trials, epidemiology, health services research, implementation science and health economics. The challenge isn't a lack of scientific rigour, but a lack of recognition and funding.

Supportive care is too expensive and doesn't save money
The evidence suggests the opposite. Preventing and managing complications early can reduce hospital admissions, shorten hospital stays, minimise emergency presentations and lower overall healthcare costs while reducing financial stress on patients and families. Several international supportive care programs have indeed shown a return on investment.

Supportive care doesn't need to be personalised
Patients have different risk factors, treatment experiences and personal circumstances. Advances in precision medicine, biomarkers and genomics are making it increasingly possible to tailor supportive care to individual needs.

Supportive care is only for patients
Cancer affects families and caregivers as well as patients. Caregivers often experience significant emotional, physical and financial burdens, which means they need support too.

Supportive care is only needed at the end of life
Supportive care is frequently confused with palliative care. While there's overlap, supportive care begins at diagnosis and continues throughout treatment and survivorship, not just in advanced disease or at the end of life. All palliative care is supportive, but not all supportive care is palliative.