Supportive & Palliative Care

Supportive/palliative care is specialized medical care focused on improving quality of life for patients living with cancer or serious illness. At New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, it is an important part of comprehensive cancer care, appropriate throughout the cancer journey and not only at end of life. It can be provided alongside ongoing curative and life-prolonging treatments.

Supportive/palliative care helps manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue, neuropathy, anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, loss of appetite, and shortness of breath, while also providing emotional support, advance care planning, caregiver support, and coordination of care and community resources.

Who Can Benefit

Supportive/palliative care is appropriate for patients of all ages and at any stage of illness, including:

• Patients newly diagnosed with cancer
• Patients actively receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, or surgery
• Patients living with advanced or metastatic cancer
• Cancer survivors dealing with long-term treatment effects or survivorship concerns
• Patients with blood disorders or chronic hematologic illnesses
• Patients and families needing support with goals-of-care discussions, advance care planning, caregiver stress, or emotional and spiritual support

When and Where

Services are available across multiple NYCBS locations throughout the cancer journey — from diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and advanced illness. Both in-person and telehealth appointments are available. Patients can contact the office during regular business hours for appointments, symptom concerns, and care coordination. After-hours support for urgent symptom-related needs may also be available.

How to Get Started

Referrals may be made by an oncologist, advanced practice provider, nurse, or other member of the care team. Self-referrals are welcomed as well. Once referred, patients meet with a supportive/palliative care provider who works closely with the oncology team to develop an individualized plan focused on symptom management, emotional support, and improving overall quality of life.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Wellness Department at 631-675-5063 or the main office at 631-751-3000.