Breaking the Taboo: Why Early Palliative Care in Pancreatic Cancer Saves Lives and Eases Suffering

In this episode of MedInsights Unleashed, Dr. Kriti Dhamija, MD, a second-year resident in the Department of Internal Medicine at Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, challenges the misconceptions around palliative care, particularly in pancreatic cancer. She explains why palliative care should begin at diagnosis, not at the end of life, and how early referral can reduce ER visits, hospital stays, and ICU admissions. Dr. Dhamija also explores the role of multidisciplinary teams, tackles persistent stigmas, and highlights how even resource-limited settings can improve care using team-based approaches and free guidelines. A must-listen for clinicians, patients, caregivers, and students alike.