NCUK Virtual Patient Handbook

Myth #3 - Palliative care is only for the dying

Palliative care is an often misunderstood specialty, with many thinking it only applies to those who are nearing the end of life. However, in practice, palliative or ‘enhanced supportive’ care is an incredibly useful resource for anyone living with a serious illness, such as neuroendocrine cancer. It focuses on providing support and symptom management strategies throughout ALL stages of disease. This approach, which is used - even where cure is possible - focuses on care for the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.

Myth #4 - Morphine is addictive

When correctly prescribed, taken and reviewed, regular use of morphine, or similar opioids, does not lead to addiction. However, long-term use can lead to an increased tolerance - this may lead to a need to increase the dosage or, consider changing the specific medication to an alternative, in order to achieve the same pain-relieving benefit. But tolerance is not addiction* *Addiction has been defined as a compulsion, or lack of control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has listed conditions where it believes medically prescribed cannabis products might be helpful. Click here to visit nice.org.uk to read in full

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