Palliative care, also called comfort care or supportive care, improves the quality of life of patients and their families by focusing on relief from pain, stress and other debilitating symptoms of treatment for a serious illness, according to the National Cancer Institute. Palliative-care providers work together with patients and their other providers to eliminate physical and emotional discomfort during every stage of cancer. They help give patients and their family a voice in determining their treatment and care, according to Christus St. Vincent Holistic Health & Wellness.