Respiratory illnesses are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality. Worldwide, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death, after cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases. Fibrosing interstitial lung disease has maintained a progressive increase in incidence, with high mortality. This is how respiratory palliative care has acquired relevance in this area of medicine, improving not only quality of life, but also, as is the case with lung cancer, survival. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the need for respiratory palliative care in cancer and non-cancer lung disease, allowing for an earlier and more timely referral for our patients.