Janet Abrahm, MD is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, a former practicing oncologist, and an internationally recognized expert in supportive and palliative care for patients with cancer.

supportive care in cancer

This website serves as a resource for oncology clinicians needing extra expertise in supportive and palliative care, from Pain and Symptom Management to Communication Techniques, to End of Life and Bereavement, with additional Special Topics.

We are the website for, “And what else...?” Things on the periphery of your training but at the heart of your current clinical challenges.

A welcome message from Dr. Janet Abrahm

AndWhatElse_graphic_website

Janet Abrahm’s most recent newsletter:

What about buprenorphine?

What about using buprenorphine, which has been used for patients with opioid use disorder, as the opioid for cancer patients with pain? That’s the question I find myself asking more often these days. In this month’s newsletter, I will focus on how to use a buprenorphine patch, buccal film, or tablet for patients without opioid use disorder (OUD) who need to begin opioids for their cancer pain, or who need to change from a different opioid for a variety of reasons…

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Resources

A primary objective of this website is to offer the most helpful and up to date resources in palliative care for oncologists and palliative care clinicians. From her ongoing practice of palliative care and the extensive research behind the 4th edition of her book, Dr. Abrahm has created and curated content in the four following subject areas.

physician burnout

Pain and Symptom
Management

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physician burnout

Communication with

Patients and Families

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physician burnout

Special Topics

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physician burnout

End of Life and
Bereavement

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Testimonials

“Dr. Abrahm is a master clinician and educator. Her counsel is wise yet practical and her judgment is impeccable.”

Michael Fisch MD, MPH

Clinical Professor, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Senior National Medical Director, Oncology Programs and Genetics, Carelon Medical Benefits Management

“I’ve had the enormous privilege of working side by side with the great doctors throughout my career. Dr Abrahm transcends as an uncommon source of experience and wisdom for all practicing oncologists.”

David Ryan, MD

Chief Hematology Oncology, MGH; Clinical Director, MGH cancer center; Shelby Memorial Professor of Medicine in the Field of Cancer Therapeutics, Harvard Medical School

“Through her books, talks, seminars, counseling, or training, Dr. Abrahm consistently demonstrates her consummate understanding of blending the art and science of caring for cancer patients and their family. She is a resource beyond measure.”

Kathleen M Foley, MD

Member Emeritus, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

“Dr. Abrahm is the go-to expert for symptom management as well as the role model for how to have essential conversations with patients about their values, goals and wishes in order to ensure they receive the care they want.”

Lynn M Schuchter, MD

Professor of Medicine, Director of the Tara Miller Melanoma Center, Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 2023-2024 ASCO president

“Her ability to go toe-to-toe with the best in American medicine while maintaining excellence, grace, and humor, makes her an icon among physicians in our field.”

Charles F von Gunten, MD, PhD

Past Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Palliative Care

“Dr. Abrahm is a spectacular clinician, a world authority on pain and symptom management, a superb teacher, and an extraordinary mentor. She has a nearly encyclopedic knowledge about palliative medicine. Her knowledge and ready accessibility have made her a go to team member for complicated clinical questions.”

James Tulsky, MD

Chair, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

"Dr Abrahm is a brilliant clinician, whose empathy, warmth, humor, and knowledge improve the care for all her patients. Those same virtues emerge in her sparkling lectures, which are the highlight of any oncology symposium.”

Harold J Burstein, MD, PhD, FACP

Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Editor in Chief, JNCCN, Chair, ASCO guidelines on endocrine therapy for breast cancer

“I have worked with Janet Abrahm in the US and international settings. She is a sensitive, thorough and deeply knowledgeable. She is always able to read her audience and adjust her style to meet their needs. This is not easy to do, and Janet does this effortlessly and gracefully.”

Joshua Hauser, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Education and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Director, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine