Hospice and Breast Cancer

Metastatic (Stage 4) breast cancer is a terminal condition, which means it can’t be cured. While treatments help manage the disease, eventually, they may not halt its progression. If that happens, you may talk with your doctor about the choice to stop treatment, and whether hospice care is the right option for you. In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here we consider the experience of hospice and breast cancer.

What is hospice care?

Your doctor may recommend hospice care when your life expectancy is estimated to be six months or less.

• During your end-of-life journey, a skilled and caring hospice team can help:
• Minimize your pain, discomfort, and suffering
• Enhance your comfort and quality of life
• Provide emotional support for you and your family

How do I access hospice care?

To get hospice care, you must stop breast cancer treatment. You will also need a referral from your doctor. Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans cover hospice care, but you should check with your insurance provider to make sure.

Most people choose to get hospice care at home. However, inpatient hospice facilities, hospitals, and some nursing homes also provide services.

Your hospice team is a holistic group that includes:

• Bereavement support
• Dietitians
• Home health aides
• Hospice medical director who works with your doctor
• Hospice nurses
• Medical social workers
• Trained hospice volunteers
• Spiritual professionals

This team provides the medication, medical equipment, and supplies you need related to your hospice diagnosis — and will work closely with the doctor who oversees your care.

What happens during hospice care?

In most cases, your primary caregiver is a family member or friend. This person coordinates with the hospice team.

Your healthcare providers usually visit a few times a week. However, if necessary, they will offer continuous support. Continuous care is short-term and should be reevaluated regularly. You and your caregiver can also call the hospice team 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Services depend on your condition and preferences but may include symptom treatment, emotional support, and special services.

Symptom treatment

When you stop breast cancer treatment, you may initially feel good once the side effects from chemotherapy or radiation subside. Eventually, pain, fatigue, breathlessness, and other symptoms will develop.

Symptom treatment can include:

• Dietary recommendations
• Medication
• Physical therapy

Emotional support

When you have metastatic breast cancer, it’s natural to feel many emotions, like anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.

Spiritual professionals can help you through:

• End-of-life discussions
• Journaling
• Meditation
• Prayer

Practical needs and special services

Home health aides can help with daily activities like bathing, eating, and getting dressed. They also train your primary caregiver to assist you and give medicine.

Social workers can address financial issues and access additional support services. And trained volunteers can also help in a variety of ways.

Trained volunteers can:

• Do light chores around the house
• Help you write letters
• Offer companionship
• Provide pet therapy
• Play board games and card games

What are the benefits of hospice care?

Hospice care prioritizes your comfort, dignity, and wishes — and can help you and your family cope better during this time.

Benefits for you, your caregiver, and your family include:

• Grief support: Bereavement counselors help you process emotions and face loss.
• Holistic approach: Physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are all considered.
• Personalized plan: Customized care is based on your preferences and needs.
• Respite care: When there are extenuating circumstances, a hospice patient could be placed on respite care to provide assistance to the caregiver for up to five nights in an approved facility setting.
• Stress reduction: Coordinated care at home can reduce doctor visits and hospitalizations.

Dealing with advanced breast cancer and considering your end-of-life plans is hard. But you can have peace of mind knowing there are no right or wrong decisions, and that you’ll have a whole network of people by your side every step of the way. Your hospice care team is ready to help you, and your family navigate this season with professional, compassionate support.

Traditions Health offers comprehensive, skilled hospice care services. To learn more about breast cancer and hospice care, please contact us.