My Care Priorities Are Shifting From Controlling Breast Cancer to Supporting Quality of Life
Breast Cancer Pathway Overview:
This CancerMap explores some of the important care transitions and other issues people experience towards the end of the cancer journey, especially after treatments to control the breast cancer are no longer helpful.
In the non-curative intent setting for breast cancer, most people eventually shift focus away from treatments that work to control the cancer. While the cancer treatment for breast cancer are getting better, we still live in an era where most patients being treated for advanced breast cancer will eventually need to stop treatment that aim to control the disease. Often the decision is made for one of the following reasons:
When people stop treatments to control cancer, an important shift in priorities happens. Instead of focusing on managing treatment side-effects and the logistics of receiving often complex cancer care, the focus moves towards ensuring the person living with cancer is:
Palliative care usually happens in the final phase of the cancer experience when priorities shift to primarily supporting quality of life and end-of-life care. Palliative care can start at any time there is a need to help with symptoms and quality of life, regardless of whether a cancer is being treated curative or non-curative intent. However, palliative care teams are most commonly involved in situations where goals are shifting away from actively controlling a disease that cannot be cured and aggressive anti-cancer treatments have stopped. Palliative care teams include healthcare professionals that are experts in managing symptoms and helping patients and families plan ahead. In some places, palliative care begins only after cancer treatment stops. In others centers, it may start earlier.
Palliative care and hospice care are related, but not the same. Palliative care, and palliative care teams, may help support patients for many months and even years. In many situations, people that are benefiting from palliative care may be fully independent and functional. Hospice care is usually for people who are nearing the end of life and need extra supports and care to be comfortable..
Shifting to palliative care can be a big change often associated with many emotions. Many people feel a mix of emotions. These feelings can change over time and may be hard to sort out. Common feelings include:
As your care priorities change, your care team my also change. Often the physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals involved in your care will change so that people with best expertise for your needs are available. You may also receive:
Each person's experience at this phase is different. Some people feel well and need little support at first. Others have more symptoms and need more care right away.
Palliative care is often the final stage of care. During this time, your team will help you and your family prepare for what lies ahead. Your care team will guide you through each step. Commonly this involves:
This phase can feel overwhelming, but your wishes are still important. What happens in this phase is often dependent on what needs to be done to ensure you are safe and are getting good medical care as well as the need's of your family and what supports are available. But your wishes are also important and most healthcare teams will work to honor these wishes whenever possible.
The transition to palliative care can be hard.
The following section contains recommendations from patients and their supporters as well as healthcare professional that may be help you navigate this phase of the cancer experience in the best way possible.
Ask your oncology team to what to expect with your illness. It can help to ask your oncology team what they expect going forward, including an estimate of your life expectancy.
Palliative care has often been thought of as what happens when death is close. This is not always the case. Palliative care can help at any stage when the focus is on comfort, symptoms, and quality of life. Some people receive palliative care for months or even years.
Knowing whether your time may be measured in days, weeks, months or years can help you better understand what lies ahead. It can also help you and your family:
If you are unsure how to start this conversation, you can say:
"Can you help me understand what to expect?"
Consider asking your team about options for end-of-life. End-of-life is a topic that is not an easy topic to discuss for a lot of people. But understanding what to expect and what your options are for navigating this can be empowering and make it less scary. Ask your team about your options for end-of-life care, including hospice, dying at home, medical assistance in dying, and what other options may be available to you.
Clarify who will lead your care. As you transition to palliative care, it is helpful to understand who will be most involved in your care and who to contact when you need help. Each member of your healthcare team has different skills. By working together, they can provide better support. Who takes the lead will depend on your needs and your situation. In some cases, the palliative care team will be your main contact. In others, your oncologist or family doctor may take on this role. Knowing who to call – especially for urgent concerns – can reduce stress and help you get the right care more quickly.
Clarify who will lead your care. As you transition to palliative care, it is helpful to understand who will be most involved in your care and who to contact when you need help. Each member of your healthcare team has different skills. By working together, they can provide better support. Who takes the lead will depend on your needs and your situation. In some cases, the palliative care team will be your main contact. In others, your oncologist or family doctor may take on this role. Knowing who to call – especially for urgent concerns – can reduce stress and help you get the right care more quickly.
Ask your team:
"Who should I contact first if I have a problem?"
"What role will my oncology team continue to play?"
If you have preferences about who you want involved in your care, share this with your team. They will try to respect your wishes whenever possible.
Ask what treatments will change. When you transition to palliative care, it is helpful to understand which treatments will stop and what care will continue. Palliative care often begins when more aggressive cancer treatments are no longer helpful or safe. This may mean that treatments like chemotherapy or targeted therapy are stopped. This does not mean that care stops. There may still be treatments that help with symptoms or improve comfort. In some cases, certain anti-cancer treatments may still be used if they are likely to help and not cause harm. Your care team can also suggest other ways to support your health and comfort, including things you can do at home.
Reach out for support for unmet emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. Living with advanced cancer can be hard on you and your family. At times, extra support can help. Accepting support is a normal part of care at this stage. You or your family may benefit from more support if:
Ask your healthcare team what supports are available. Many cancer centers have services available to those living cancer, including patients and their friends and family, that include:
Ask your care team what supports are available and how to access them. While some supports need to be arranged through your care team, others can be accessed on your own.
Trusted Resources on This Topic
End-of-Life Support - Content from Dying With Dignity Canada, includes information palliative care, and end-of-life care including Medical Assistance in Dying.
Palliative Care Explained - YouTube channel from Dr. Jonathan Wong, a practicing palliative care physician in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Related Topics You May Be Wondering About
KidsGrief.ca - Content from Canadian Virtual Hospice for helping kids and teens navigate serious illness, dying, and death.
Prepare for End-of-Life - Content from the Government of Canada on preparing for end-of-life
Coping with Anxiety, Stress, and Uncertainty – Content from the Canadian Cancer Society
Research Related to This Topic
Educational resourc can help you understand the cancer journey. People can help you navigate it. While online resources can be valuable, sometimes the most helpful support comes from another person.
Your healthcare team is often a good place to start. Many communities also offer cancer navigators, counsellors, peer supporters, and other services that can provide guidance, support, and practical assistance.
Explore the CancerMaps Real-People Resources Directory to find organizations that can connect you with navigators, counsellors, peer supporters, and other people who can help.
First Published: July 11, 2026
Date Reviewed: No formal review/update has take place to date.
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