Chronic Conditions Prevention and Management - Coursework Example

Chronic Conditions Prevention and Management Chronic Conditions Prevention and Management Introduction Chronic conditions refer to long term medical complications that are progressive in nature. They tend to worsen with age and have their onset most often at tender age. Chronic conditions can remain broadly categorized as communicable or non-communicable. An example of communicable chronic conditions includes Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS among other conditions. Non-communicable chronic conditions include cancer, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lipid disorders, hypertension and stroke. Most chronic conditions are not easily curable and are only manageable. These conditions form serious health concerns worldwide. It is imperative to note that chronic conditions affect industrialized world, developing and under-developed nations. They tend to decrease quality of life and increase mortality rate in the affected regions. Chronic conditions mostly have diverse etiology and exposure to various agents can precipitate such conditions (Greene and Heniford, 2010). Cancer is one of the non-communicable chronic conditions. It forms a worldwide health concern and is currently exhibiting increased prevalence. Cancer is a major cause of increased morbidity and mortality globally. In addition, cancer is a condition leading to unregulated gene processing resulting into uncontrollable cell growth with subsequent tumor formation. Cancer affects any component of the human body and causes chronic pain and death if not treated or managed in its earlier stages of its development (Pories, Moses and Lotz, 2009). Rationale for Considering Cancer a Chronic Condition Scientists consider cancer as a chronic condition due to the following characteristics. First, cancer has a multiple risk factors. Some of cancer’s risk factors include smoking, radiations such as Ultra-violet rays from the sun, electromagnetic rays, for instance, gamma rays. Poor diet can also be a risk factor for cancer. Secondly, cancer also has many causative agents. Among the causative agents for cancer includes viruses, for example, human papilloma virus. Other causative agents include radiations, unprotected sex among other factors. Thirdly, cancer has a long latency period. It may take a longer period for cancer to manifest fully. The infection stages may be long and may develop slowly. Latency period may depend upon several factors such as degree of exposure to the risk and causative agent and immune competency of an individual. Site of inoculation of the causative agent may also affect the latency period (Pories, Moses and Lotz, 2009) Besides, cancer also shows a longer duration of illness. Individuals suffering from cancer tend to stay ill throughout their lives. Cancer is a progressive illness that worsens with time. It is only manageable as it progresses but is rarely fully treated. Duration of illness in most cases ends with death. Unlike infectious diseases, cancer does not wane with time. Moreover, cancer leads to functional impairment and disability. Although this might be true to most diseases including the non-chronic diseases, cancer shows prominent body function impairment. Cancer causes mainly impairment on the regulation of gene expression. Consequently, there occur a non –controlled gene expression and hence over expression of genes. This impairment leads to development of tumor on the affected areas of the body. Cellular activities are adversely affected lead to cytotoxic effects of cancer. Cancer Burden Globally and in Australia Cancer is a major health problem globally and locally. The spread of this chronic condition is on the rise and many remains diagnosed with cancer yearly. Huge health expenditure occurs because of increased cancer spread. Cancer Burden Globally According to GLOBOCAN database, cancer exhibits massive burden globally. The report indicated that there were more than ten million new cases of cancer reported in 2002. Fifty-four percent were male while the 46 percent female patient. Out of the affected population, nearly half the number succumbed to death. International Agency for Research on Cancer s (IARC) shows that about 12.7 million new cases reported by 2008. The mostly affected countries are the developing countries with reported cases of 7.1 million cases. The developed countries had 5.6 million cases of newly reported cases .Deaths due to cancer in 2008 were approximately 7.6million cases. Out of this figure, 2.8 million cases reportedly resulted from developed countries whereas 4.8 million case in developing countries. From the above data, cancer has poses serious burden. Several deaths that result from cancer have an implication of lost labor and slowed economic growth rate in the world economy. In addition, there is increased expenditure on management and control of cancer thereby draining available resources. The major cause of cancer prevalence is change of lifestyle and globalization of the world market. There is a significant increase in cancer cases overtime and it is expected to rise further by 2030 globally .This therefore predicts a further burden due to cancer in the near future. Cancer Burden in Australian Cancer ranks higher among the current chronic form diseases in Australia. The gender specific cancer, that is, prostate cancer for men and breast cancer for women shows the highest prevalence rate in Australia. Several deaths are associated with breast cancer yearly in Australia (AIHW, 2012). Nevertheless, there exists insignificant decline in the prevalence of cancer among males by about 0.4 percent. Breast cancer claims most lives as bowel cancer shows a gradual decline in prevalence. Many money remains spent on the management of cancer by the federal government and other non-governmental organization. Cancer is therefore a real threat and burden locally in Australia (National Unit of monitoring Cancer and AIHW, 2012). Public Health Significance of Cancer Cancers survivors face many problems .These includes psychological, physical and emotional challenges. Public health is concerned with the collection of data concerning the condition and processing it into a presentable manner. Public health therefore has facilitated collection and processing of data. Through public health, timely prevention of cancer remains carried out. It remains mostly carried out through public sensitization about the risk factors of cancer. By preventing the exposure to the risk factor, there is there a decline in prevalence of cancer. Public health is also concern with various cancer survey and determination of the probable factors that may expose individual to cancer. In essence, public health plays a significant role in cancer management. Drug resistance and drugs used against to manage cancer are also considerable in the survey. Because of public concerned about cancer, public health is of core role in control and management of cancer. Broad Determinants of Cancer Cancer exhibits a wide range of determinants. Some of the determinants implicated in cancer includes; social, environmental, biological and chemical determinants. Biological Determinants Biological determinants are internal factors that influence individual susceptibility to cancer. Biological factors determine how adversely the cancer causative agents affect an individual. The most outstanding factor is the genetic factors Cancer is a condition where certain cells experiences uncontrolled growth rate. Genetic make-up of an individual influence greatly how likely they are to develop cancer BRCA2 and BRCAI are predisposed to cancer agents. Individuals possessing such genes are more liable to cancer. Genetic factors dictate prevalence of cancer to particular family lines because of gene inheritance. Pregnancy is an important determinant only for the case of breast cancer. Females who bear children above age of thirty years tends to develop breast cancer in most cases (DeVita, Lawrence and Rosenberg, 2011). Social Determinants Social determinants refer to those determinants those results from the people’s way of life. These determinants plays significant role in the increased prevalence of cancer in developed countries. The major factor in respect to social factor is lifestyle. Change in lifestyle overtime has resulted to high degree of cancer prevalence in developed and developing world .Such lifestyle changing lifestyle such as consumption of more processed food with high chemical content has resulted to increased cancer cases. In addition, introduction of genetically modified foods have also contributed to increase greatly to increase in cancer cases. Increase in the use of contraceptive in society has also lead to high cases of cancer. Research reveals that women who use oral contraceptives are at higher risks of developing breast cancer (Werning, 2007). Injectable contraceptives also increase the risks developing cancer. These agents, being steroidal in nature, may interfere with gene expression regulation and hence pose risk of developing cancer. Environmental Factors Several environmental factors are significant determinants of cancer development. Such factors as electromagnetic radiations for example, UV rays from the sun remains implicated for different types of cancer. Most often manifested is the skin cancer that results from exposure to radiation. Other environmental factors include carcinogenic compounds of natural and synthetic origin. Certain plants derived compounds are carcinogenic in nature. Exposure to such compounds for longer times that predisposes an individual to cancer risks (Werning, 2007). Risk Factors for Cancer Cancer has a large number of risk factors that on exposure to, can lead to various forms of cancer. Some of the risk factors includes; tobacco smoking, old age, exposure to ionizing radiations, certain chemicals, hormones, bacteria and viruses. Ionizing Radiations Ionizing radiations may cause cell damage and thus leads to cancer. These radiations are mostly from the outer space into the earth as solar radiation. Ionizing radiations implicated in cancer includes random gas, X-rays, fallout radiations and other rays. Nuclear fallouts are radiations that come from atomic weapons and nuclear stations. These radiations interact with body cells when one get exposed to them. Continued exposure may lead to cancer as a result cell damage. Radon on the contrary, may come from space. Rocks and soils are important sources of radon. Radon is a radioactive element that is tasteless, colorless and odorless. Due to the emitted radiations from its radioactivity, cells remains destroyed and this may result into cancer. X-rays are also ionizing radiation in the hospital set up. Individual meets such radiations during diagnosis processes. X-ray may also lead to cell damage and give rise to cancer on repeated and prolonged exposure. Old Age There exists an increase in danger for developing cancer in the old than in the young. Above the age of 55 years, individual develops high risks of developing cancer. The basis of the observation includes accumulation of free radicals in the old that may result into cell damage. The old therefore tend to be at much higher risks of developing cancer than the young. Tobacco Smoking Tobacco smoking leads to different forms of cancer. Both active and passive smokers are at high risk of developing cancer. The smoke so produce possess chemicals that leads to cell damage. Of the two types of smokers, active smokers are more at risk of developing various types of cancer. Some of the cancer types that occur due to smoking includes; mouth cancer, cancer of the throat, larynx cancer and the lung cancer (Greene and Heniford, 2010) Certain Bacteria and Viruses Many bacterial and viral infections can eventually lead to cancer. Some of the viruses that pose risks of cancer development includes, human papilloma virus (HPV) which is mostly involved in cervical cancer. Individual infected with HIV also are at high risk of developing cancer. HIV is an RNA virus that inserts its genome into the normal human genome thus leading to cell damage. Helicobacter pylori infections also enhance chances of cancer infection. H. pylori are enteric bacteria that can cause cancer of the stomach among other kinds of cancer. Other viruses includes Epstein bar virus. The viruses replicate inside normal human cell and this may lead to cell damage during their exocytosis from the cell (Silverstein, Silverstein and Nunn, 2004). Exposure to Chemicals Exposure to certain chemicals increases the risk of developing cancer. This effect remains observed in painters and other people who work mostly with chemicals. Industrial workers in agrochemical industries and other chemical industries are at risk of developing cancer. Most of the chemical interacts with the cell and cause significant damage to the genome hence cancer develops. Sunlight Sunlight is a mixture of several electromagnetic radiations. These radiations have ionizing effects on the cells and can lead to cell damage. Typical radiations that constitute sunlight are some UV lights that can cause cell damage. Sunlight is mostly implacable for cancer of the skin that is majorly because of UV rays. Specific risk factors for cancer are avoidable unlike others. Tobacco smoking is the most avoidable risk factor. Other risk factors such as sunlight are practically impossible to avoid (Woolfolk, 2011). Certain Hormone Certain hormones used in treatment may cause cancer. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone therapy may result to cancer. Such hormones are mostly usable in the treatment of vaginal dryness and in menopause. Family history also possesses a risk to cancer development. In this context, cancer occurs because of cumulative mutation along a given family line. After a prolonged duration of mutation, cancer may develop to offspring because of the mutation. Generally, cancer has a diverse causative agent and therefore in prevention of cancer, care must be taken identify accurately the possible risk factor (Matirosyan, 2006) Framework Used in Management of Chronic Conditions Chronic conditions are manageable through well-set frameworks that help slow progression of the condition. The following framework is adapted for the management of most chronic conditions. Early Detection Early detection of most chronic diseases plays a major role in the management of various chronic conditions. Detection of this condition remains based on diverse principles and is useful in identifying and prevention at an early stage of development. Application of Different Treatment Modalities Management of chronic conditions requires different treatment modalities. Treatment modalities of applied may include chemotherapy, physiotherapy, radiotherapy treatment modalities. Chemotherapy involves the use of various synthetic and natural drugs in the management of the chronic condition. Specific drug are administrable in treatment of specific conditions. Radiotherapy is mostly involved in treatment of tumors. Radiations such as gamma rays find use in the treatment of such conditions as cancer. However, this remains limited by the radiation effect on normal cells. Physiotherapy is a treatment modality that majorly involves exercises. Certain chronic conditions such as depression and migraine are manageable by physiotherapy like yoga (Clarke-Pearson and Sosper, 2011). Palliative Care Palliative care provides pain management in chronic conditions. Most palliative care are done to relieve the chronic pain usually associate with terminal stages of chronic diseases. Strong analgesics such as opioids are majorly usable in palliative care (Nuovo, 2007). Framework for Cancer Management Cancer management adopts the above outlined framework for management of other chronic conditions. This includes; Early Diagnosis and Detection Diagnosis for cancer takes different forms depending on the type of cancer involved. For instance, in case of breast cancer, Pap smear is recommendable. It is advisable to carry out regular cancer test to allow for early detection and treatment. If diagnosed in early stages, cancer can remain efficiently managed. Cancer Treatment Modalities Various treatment modalities are applicable in the treatment of cancer. Commonly applied modality includes radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy finds use mainly in the early stages of cancer development. Chemotherapy is used to made the progress and symptoms associated with cancer. Cancer may require palliative care at the terminal stages of its development to manage the associated pain (Nuovo, 2007). Conclusion Cancer is a typical chronic condition. It poses great threat to the health of many globally. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the contemporary world. Cancer is a great source of burden both globally and locally in Australia. It has several risk factors that make its management very difficult. If diagnosed early, cancer can remain treated through various treating modalities. References Top of Form Australian Institute of Health Welfare (AIHW) and Cancer Australia. (2012). Gynaecological cancers in Australia: An overview. Canberra, A.C.T: The Institute.Top of Form Clarke-Pearson, D., & Soper, J. (2011). Gynecological Cancer Management: Identification, Diagnosis and Treatment. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons DeVita, V. T., Lawrence, T. S., & Rosenberg, S. A. (2011). Cancer: Principles & practice of oncology : primer of the molecular biology of cancer. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & WilkinTop of Form Greene, F. L., & Heniford, B. T. (2010). Minimally Invasive Cancer Management. New York, NY: Springer Science Business Media, LLC. Bottom of Form National Centre for Monitoring Cancer (Australia) & Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2012). National Centre for Monitoring Cancer: Framework 2012. Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Health and WelfareBottom of FormBottom of Form Nuovo, J. (2007). Chronic disease management. New York, NY: Springer Pories, S., Moses, M. A., & Lotz, M. M. (2009). Cancer. Santa Barbara: Greenwood PressTop of Form Silverstein, A., Silverstein, V. B., & Nunn, L. S. (2004). Cancer: Conquering a deadly disease. Brookfield, Conn: Twenty-First Century Books. Bottom of Form Werning, J. W. (2007). Oral cancer: Diagnosis, management, and rehabilitation. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers Woolfolk, J. M. (2011). Cancer. Lanham: Taylor Trade Publications. Read More