When we hear “pain,” most think about something physical—an aching back, a broken bone, or surgical discomfort. Our concepts are concrete —a place we can point to on the body, something we can see on a CT scan, or a rating on a scale from 1 to 10.

But for people facing serious illness, pain is rarely just physical. It is layered, complex, and often touches every part of life. It affects not just bodies but emotions, relationships, finances, faith, and identity. It changes what people hope for, fear, and how they see themselves in the world.

When people hear “palliative care,” they often think it means stopping treatment or focusing only on end-of-life care. But that’s not the case. Palliative care is about helping people feel better—physically, emotionally, and mentally—while they’re receiving treatment for a serious illness.

Many people don’t realize that research has shown that early palliative care can actually help patients live longer.

One of the most common questions I hear from patients and caregivers is, “Why isn’t my loved one getting the same treatment as someone else with cancer?” It’s an understandable question. After all, we often hear cancer talked about as one big disease, and it seems like treatments should be fairly standard across the board. But the truth is, not all cancers are the same.