Invisible Wounds: Navigating Palliative Care for Survivors of Human Trafficking Diagnosed with Serious Illness

Abstract

Survivors of human trafficking experience profound trauma with long-lasting psychological, physical, and social consequences that can complicate medical care, particularly in the context of serious illness. This case highlights the palliative care approach to a 38-year-old woman with metastatic cervical cancer and a history of trafficking-related trauma. The clinical team encountered nuanced challenges, including disrupted trust, limited social support, high symptom burden, and distress related to bodily autonomy. A trauma-informed, multidisciplinary team—comprised of palliative care, gynecological oncology, psychiatry, and social work—prioritized safety, choice, and trust-building to align care with the patient’s values and goals. Despite significant health inequities and psychosocial vulnerabilities, individualized care planning and intentional communication supported dignity, symptom control, and emotional safety during a prolonged hospitalization. This case illustrates the ethical and relational dimensions of caring for survivors of trafficking and underscores the importance of trauma-informed care principles, cultural humility, and interdisciplinary collaboration in palliative settings.

Keywords

human trafficking palliative medicine trauma trauma-informed care

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