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Coping with Advanced Cancer: Choices for Care Near the End of Life

Cover of “Coping With Advanced Cancer: Support for People With Cancer”.  A bar at the top contains the logo for the National Cancer Institute. The cover image is a large tree with many green leaves on a hill. The skies are a darker blue.

Coping with Advanced Cancer is for people who have been told they have advanced cancer that isn’t responding to treatment or for which there are no treatment options. Family and friends may also want to read this booklet. It includes information about dealing with transitions in care, communication with others, and end of life issues. It stresses that learning about your options and talking about your concerns keeps you in control of your care, and of your life.

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This booklet covers:

  • The different choices for your care
  • Tips for talking with your health care team
  • Getting help for your symptoms and other forms of palliative care
  • Coping with your feelings and getting support
  • Advanced planning
  • How to talk with friends and family about your cancer
  • Looking for meaning in your life

The booklet is meant to provide you with information and ways you can still have control of your life with advanced cancer. Share this booklet with those closest to you. The tips and advice it provides on coping with the disease may help them deal with it as well.

The information in this booklet was last updated in June 2020.

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