Abstract
Although palliative care has been practised since ancient times, its development as a recognized discipline within health care began some 30 years ago. The resulting benefits to patients, including enhanced relief of distressing symptoms and improvement in overall quality of life are best demonstrated in the care of people with advanced cancer. Continued growth of palliative care, particularly in Western countries, has been assured by the emergence of doctors and nurses trained in the specialty, who have become the cornerstone of interdisciplinary palliative care teams.

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