For Immediate Release: September 9, 2009

CAPC Statement on Palliative Care

New York, NY – Palliative Care is not limited to end of life care. The goal of palliative care is to relieve the pain, symptoms and stress of serious illness – whatever the prognosis. Palliative care is available to those undergoing curative treatments even at early stages of a serious and complex illness.

Palliative care's focus on communication in addition to pain and symptom management occurs long before the end of life. These are quality of life conversations that allow physicians to explore their patients' values and goals. Patients facing serious illness may live for years. This is why palliative care is necessary for patients with chronic illnesses who want to remain in control of their lives and destiny.

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The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) provides health care professionals with the tools, training, and technical assistance necessary to start and sustain successful palliative care programs in hospitals and other health care settings. Located at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, CAPC is a national organization dedicated to increasing the availability of quality palliative care services for people facing serious illness. www.capc.org

Contact: Lisa Morgan, Center to Advance Palliative Care, Mount Sinai Medical Center 212.201.2675 or lisa.morgan@mssm.edu