On Lung Cancer Counseling - Literature review Example

Literacy Review on Lung Cancer Counseling Outline I. Introduction i. Lung Cancer Counseling ii. Lung cancer is one of the diseases in the world that result to many deaths. 1. Risks of smoking cigarettes 2. Psychological distress of cancer patients 3. Lack of awareness and stigma among cancer patients 4. Poor eating habits of cancer patients 5. Physical activity in patients with lung cancer II. Body i. Risks of smoking cigarettes 1. Cigarette smoking is the leading causation of lung cancer. It should be stopped in order to enhance the healing process. ii. Psychological distress of cancer patients 1. Lung cancer disease results to distress. The distress should be managed in order to improve the quality life of a patient. iii. Lack of awareness and stigma among cancer patients 1. Lack of awareness and stigma makes cancer patients avoid seeking medical assistance. Cancer patients should accept their disease condition and move on with life. iv. Poor eating habits of cancer patients 1. Eating fatty meals trigger the advancement of cancer. Lung cancer patients should include marine resources in their diet. v. Physical activity in patients with lung cancer 1. Physical activities reduce the level of distress in cancer patients. III. Conclusion i. Lung cancer patients deserve counseling on how to manage their disease as well as to improve their healthy life. Baade, Meng, Sinclair and Youl assert that “chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer are the most common public health threats in the 21st century” (Baade, Meng, Sinclair & Youl, 2012, p.1). According to them, cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in Australia; it accounted approximately 19% of all diseases in Australia in the year 2010 (Baade, Meng, Sinclair & Youl, 2012). Australia community uses about 3.8 billion each year in addressing health issues. The occurrence of this disease in the society increases with an increase of ageing population. As a result of this, it is evident that the societies will continue spending more and more money in addressing cancer. It is also evident that diagnosis of cancer in people increases each year. Of all cancer cases in the world, about 5% to 10% are as a result of genetic inheritance. 90% of the cases of cancer are as a result of external factors such as environmental factors and human behaviors (Baade, Meng, Sinclair & Youl, 2012). According to Bayakly, Davis, Lavender and Moon (2013), tobacco is the leading cause of disease as well as premature deaths in the U.S. In Georgia for instance, 18% of adults indulge in smoking cigarette, 87% of men die of lung cancer and 70% of women also die of cancer as a result of smoking. It is as a result of this that I chose the topic “lung cancer counseling.” I believe lung cancer counseling contributes immensely towards reducing the number of deaths caused by lung cancer. In addressing the topic I will detail on lack of awareness among cancer patients, poor eating habits of cancer patients, the risks of smoking cigarette, psychological distress of cancer patients, use of prescribed medications, and unmet supportive care of cancer patients. Risks of smoking cigarettes According to the data collected from Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), approximately 16% of deaths among adults aged 35 years and above are as a result of extensive cigarette smoking. Of all these deaths, smoking resulted to cancer that killed 43% of the total number. According to Bayakly, Davis, Lavender and Moon (2013), the main cause of cancer death was associated to tracheal, bronchial, or lung cancer. Research carried between 2004 and 2008 on the incidence rate of lung cancer showed that it was higher in men compared to women. As a result of this, it is evident that the number of men who died of lung cancer was greater than that of women. Bayakly, Davis, Lavender and Moon (2013) also assert that the exposure period for lung cancer mortality range between 5 and 40 years. According to Baggett, Tobey and Rigotti (2013), the risk of lung cancer reduces with the reduction of the rate of smoking. In tandem to this, Colice, Rubins, and Unger assert that the smoking of cigarettes by cancer patients will enhance the destruction of the cells that line the lungs, and as a result, worsen the side effects of treatment. Additionally, it is evident that continued smoking may lower the effectiveness of treatment as well as increase the likelihood of getting a second cancer (Schroeder, 2013). Thus, they claim that it is advisable for the lung cancer patients to stop smoking, and given pharmacotherapeutic as well as behavioral therapy, in addition to follow-up. From this assertion, therefore, a cancer patient can deduce that it is advisable for him or her to stop smoking cigarettes so as to enhance the healing process as well as avoid the likelihood of a second cancer. Psychological distress of cancer patients According to Chamber et al. (2012), people affected by cancer live distressful life. In most occasions, the elevation of distress is as a result of depression, anxiety as well as unmet supportive care needs. Unfortunately, the distress may result to post-traumatic disorders. It is also evident lung cancer patients often fear about the future after being diagnosed of cancer. According to Chamber et al. (2012), distress is one of the factors that detriment the quality of life of victims of cancer. There is also some evidence that link poor clinical outcomes with extreme distress. Chamber et al. further argue that intense and long-term stress can result to a weakened immune system. Additionally they claim that a high level of distress may make lung cancer victims to indulge in risky behaviors such as smoking and drinking alcohol as a way of managing their stress. Such behaviors often result to poor quality of life after undergoing a cancer treatment. In contrast, people who manage to use effective coping strategies in dealing with distress such as relaxation, as well as stress management techniques, , have proved to have lower levels of depression. In connection to this, Chamber et al. (2012) claim that it is advisable for the lung cancer patients to seek medical interventions from specialists often in order to manage their psychological distress. Chamber et al. (2012) believes that it is only medical interventions that lung cancer patients will manage to harness strategies such as psycho-education and supportive counseling that will enable them overcome their distress. Lack of awareness and stigma among cancer patients Lack of awareness and stigma contribute significantly to health disparities. In tandem to this, Fenton, Herbst and Rigney (2009) assert that lung cancer is one of the diseases that is significantly catalyzed by stigma and lack of awareness. According to Fenton, Herbst and Rigney, “patient and physical attitudes and awareness of clinical trials directly impact clinical trial participation and are critical for the progress of cancer research” (Fenton, Herbst & Rigney, 2009, p.1). Fewer than 10% of victims of cancer do participate in clinical trials. In connection to this, Chambers, Connell, and Dunn (2012) lung cancer patients unlike other cancer patients feel stigmatized by their disease and, as a result, avoid seeking treatment in time. Additionally, they claim that stigma may contribute to the increase of burden of illness for the patients. Unfortunately, the low number of lung cancer patients seeking clinical trials as well as an increase in stigmatization prolongs the duration of trials, delay analysis of results, prevent achievement of statistical, lead to closure of valuable studies as well as enhance provision of wrong medications (Fenton, Herbst and Rigney, 2009). According to Fenton, Herbst and Rigney (2009), majority of victims of lung cancer fear to speak out of their health conditions because of the reactions such as exclusion, rejection, as well as discrimination. Unfortunately, feeling stigmatized by other people in the society results not only to depression, but also to a lower quality life (Mok et al., 2009). Additionally, the feeling of being stigmatized by other people also makes lung cancer patients to relate poorly in the society. To combat this therefore, Fenton, Herbst and Rigney (2009) claim that it is advisable for lung cancer patients to accept their health condition and seek medical interventions so as to boost their life as well manage their depressions. It is also advisable for them to participate in clinical trials; clinical trials will enable a lung cancer patient learn of the best treatment options. Additionally, participation in social activities as well as relating with other people normally contributes significantly towards management of the lung cancer. In addition to enhancing good quality life, it also lowers the level of depression in lung cancer patients. Poor eating habits of cancer patients "Nutrition is also an important part of cancer treatment. Eating the right types of food before, during, and after treatment help a cancer patient feel better as well as stay longer" (Hassing, Lewandowski & Vaughan, 2013). In their study, Hassing, Lewandowski and Vaughan (2013) found out that consumption of marine resources contributes significantly in the management of cancer. According to them polyunsaturated fatty acids, a product of marine fishes, have direct anticancer effects. As a result of this, it is evident that PUFAs may help in the ameliorate complications related to cancer. Hassing, Lewandowski and Vaughan (2013) also claim that PUFAs have antitumor effects in addition to inhibition of angiogenesis as well as metastasis. They also claim that consumption of marine resources reduces the development of hepatocellular carcinoma that is an inflammatory-linked cancer. From their assertion; therefore, one can deduce that PUFAs, products of marine fishes, inhibit the growth of tumor as well as reduce inflammation that is responsible for fatigue on lung cancer patients. Therefore, it is advisable for lung cancer patients to reconsider involving PUFAs in their diet so as to boost their health. Physical activity in patients with lung cancer According to Albrecht, Faan and Taylor (2011), physical activity contributes significantly to the health of patients suffering from chronic diseases. The number of researches has also proved that the benefits of physical activities have been rising for cancer patients. According to them, some of the evident contribution of the physical activities is the improved mood, management of chronic diseases as well increased energy in addition to enhancing more restful sleep. Albrecht, Faan and Taylor (2011) further assert that “symptom-related research in patients diagnosed with malignancy has shown that physical activity is associated with decreases in physiologic symptoms” (293). The decreased physiologic symptoms as a result of PA include pain, peripheral neuropathy as well as fatigue. PA also reduces psychological symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. As a result of these effects, PA has proved to be effective in enhancing healthy life. However, Albrecht, Faan and Taylor (2011) argue that participation in PA requires one to develop interest in some activity and not force oneself in some activities. According to them, involving oneself in a physical activity that is not interest hampers the achievement of the required goals. It is also activeness in physical activities depends on the stage of lung cancer. In most occasions, patients with advanced stage cancer find it very hard to participate in physical activities because of the functional impairment as a result of advancement of the disease. From this assertion therefore, one can deduce that it is advisable for the individuals with early prognosis of cancer to indulge in physical activities so as to improve their health life. According to Albrecht, Faan and Taylor (2011), distress is one of the main contributing factors for severity of lung cancer. However, participation in PA aid significantly in reducing it, and as a result of this, Albrecht, Faan and Taylor argue that it is advisable for cancer patients to often participate in physical activities. In conclusion, lung cancer is the second type of cancer that results to too many deaths in the world. It is also one of the diseases that impacts negatively to the economy of countries with high incidence of lung cancer. A good example of a country that invests a lot of money on it is the U.S. and Australia. Its occurrence is associated with cigarette smoking as well as exposure to some environmental chemicals that are carcinogenic. The predominance and impacts of the disease are also associated with Psychological distress; majority of the lung cancer patients do fear about the future of their disease as well as their lives, lack of awareness and stigma among cancer patients; majority of cancer patients avoid seeking clinical interventions because of lack of information about the importance of seeking medical assistance. Additionally, majority of lung cancer patients feel stigmatized and, as a result, avoid seeking medical care. Poor eating habits of cancer patients also increases the severity of lung cancer; foods rich in fats catalyze the development of tumors. According to many researches, it is advisable for cancer patients to seek medical assistance as well as psychological assistance from specialists so as to manage their distress. It is also advisable for cancer patients to include marine sources in their diet; marine sources have PUFAs that regulate tumor development, as well as inflammation of cells. Additionally, it is advisable for lung cancer patients to avoid smoking completely so as to enhance the healing as well as to reduce the occurrence of a second cancer. Lung cancer patients are also advised to take participate in physical activities before the advancement of their cancer. Participation in PA will aid significantly in reducing the distress associated with the disease. References Albrecht, T., Faan, R. & Taylor, A. (2011). Physical Activity in Patients with Advanced-Stage Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. Baade, P., Meng, X., Sinclair, C. & Youl, P. (2012). Estimating the future burden of cancers preventable by better diet and physical activity in Australia. Med J Aust 2012; 196 (5): 337-340. Baggett, P., Tobey, L. & Rigotti, A. (2013). Tobacco Use among Homeless People: Addressing the Neglected Addiction. Engl J MED 2013; 369:201-204. Bayakly, R., Davis, V., Lavender, A., Moon, T. & Ray, K. (2013). Using Current Smoking Prevalence to Project Lung Cancer Morbidity and Mortality in Georgia by 2020. Preventing Chronic Disease, doi: 10.5888/pcd10.120271 Chambers K., Girgis, A., Occhipinti, S., Hutchison, S., Turner, J., Morris, B. & Dunn, J. (2012) Psychological Distress and Unmet Supportive Care Needs in Cancer Patients and Carers who Contact Helplines. European Journal of Cancer Care 21, 213–223 Chambers, S., Dunn, J., Occhipinti, S., Hughes, S., Baade, P., Sinclair, S., Aitken, J., Youl, P. & OConnell, D. (2012). A systematic review of the impact of stigma and nihilism on lung cancer outcomes. 2012 May 20;12:184. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-12-184. Connell, D., Dunn, J. & Chambers, S. (2012). A systematic review of the impact of stigma and nihilism on lung cancer outcomes. BMC Cancer. 2012; 12:184. Fenton, L., Herbst, R. & Rigney, M. (2009). Clinical Trial Awareness, Attitudes, and Participation among Patients with Cancer and Oncologists. Community Oncology. 2009; 6:207-213. Hassing, M., Lewandowski, P. & Vaughan, V. (2013). Marine polyunsaturated fatty acids and cancer therapy. British Journal of Cancer. 2013; 108(3): 486-492. Mok et al. (2009). Treatment of Lung Cancer. Engl J Med 2009; 361:2485-2487 Schroeder, A. (2013). New Evidence That Cigarette Smoking Remains the Most Important Health Hazard. Engl J MED 2013; 368:389-390. Read More