Palliative cares are allocated to people with evolutionary chronic diseases which threaten their lives. They are characterized for preserving the quality of life from diagnosis to late stage, and keep consistency with the doctrine of the Unified Health System (SUS): universality, integrality, equity. This article, focused on cancer, reflects on the coverage of the population, their organization in basic, medium and high complexities and training of professionals, from literature review and regulatory instruments. It is concluded that the structuring of palliative care network lacks effectiveness for its development, while consistent public policy with the doctrine of SUS.
CANCER; Palliative care; Unified Health System