Some people think Macmillan nurses only help people at the end of life. But when you have advanced cancer, you can be referred to a palliative care nurse at any stage. You may be referred to manage symptoms and then be discharged when you no longer need that care and support. You can always be referred again if needed. Some people may be referred when they are first diagnosed with advanced cancer. Then they are known to the community palliative care team and can access their support when they need it. Palliative means that is it not possible to cure the cancer. But many people can live for a long time with advanced cancer. Palliative treatment aims to manage the cancer and any symptoms so you can live as well as possible during that time.