The Social Nature of Living with Cancer as a Teenager - Essay Example

Analyzing the way in which sociologists point to the social nature of living with cancer as a teenager Table of Contents: Synopsis This research is geared towards analyzing the way in which sociologists point to the social nature of living with cancer as a teenager. It will elaborate on the impact cancer has on the life of teenagers suffering from it. The research will be conducted on both teenagers who are living with cancer and those that have survived this predicament. The study sample will be identified from records kept in four hospitals; two located in the urban setting and two others from the rural setting. The study sample will be aged between 13 and 19 years. Introduction Teenage life is quite a critical stage in the life cycle of a human being. This is the moment that human beings use to plan for their future lives and school life. It is also the most vibrant stage in the human lifecycle because teenagers experience major changes in their bodies and they discover who they are i.e. their personality traits, likes and dislikes. Teenagers are also highly active and interactive thereby developing a large social network. However, this is not always the case with teenagers suffering from cancer. The diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer greatly interfere with the activities of this critical growth stage (Wawsczczyk 2005). According to sociologists this is the stage in life where teenagers learn to be independent from their parents and family members thereby focusing more on their future. However, this is not possible for teenagers suffering from cancer because they need utmost support, attention and care from their parents and family members for emotional, psychological and social support. Therefore, such teenagers are taken a step back from discovering their independence, potential, strengths and weaknesses (Kleinman1988). Also the school life, social life and employment are put on hold for an unknown period of time, which is in contrast to what should be happening in their lives. This is because they become isolated from their peers, adults and school; which is an important social setting for a child’s growth. Cancer treatment is too severe for them to concentrate in school work or find lenient jobs that are conducive to their state of health. It is also quite common for insurance companies to cancel insurance policies for such teenagers because they are not in school. Insurance companies demand that all children still living under the care of their parents should be attending school to enjoy the benefits of the life insurance policies taken by their parents (Wawsczczyk 2005). Various surveys and research conducted by sociologists reveal that teenagers suffering from cancer usually are confused by the information they are given about the treatment and management process of cancer. Moreover, they are devastated by the sexual and fertility issues of their bodies. For instance, during this growth stage teenagers demand utmost privacy especially with their bodies. However, teenagers suffering from cancer have to forego privacy as they are helpless at times and have to rely on their parents or guardians and health care practitioners even for the most basic things such as bathing, toileting, movement and feeding (Walker et al. 1999). Cancer treatment has adverse effects on the body structure, image and overall health of patients. In most cases cancer patients may gain or lose weight, lose hair and proper functioning of some of their body organs depending on the damage the cancer has caused or the type of cancer the patients are suffering from. Furthermore, teenagers suffering from cancer are faced with mortality issues at a very early age. Most teenagers living with cancer liken the experience with facing life and death simultaneously. They become emotionally bagged with the fear and thought of dying at a tender age (Walker et al. 1999). Unfortunately the fate and social nature of teenagers suffering from cancer has been overlooked. There are no separate facilities for treating them because their disease is classified as childhood cancer therefore treated by paediatric oncologists. Also when treated by adult oncologists the teenagers become isolated as most of the patients are over 50 years (Wawsczczyk 2005). Therefore, this report will analyse the way in which sociologists point to the social nature of living with cancer as a teenager. The aim is to increase the available information about teenagers living with cancer by elaborating on the different physical, social and educational needs they have from other cancer patients. The report also aims at increasing the awareness for the importance of developing specialised cancer care tailored to suit teenagers diagnosed with cancer. Literature review Cancer develops because of uncontrollable cell growth which may invade and destroy adjacent tissues by developing lumps and tumours which release hormones that alter normal body systems such as digestive, circulatory and the nervous systems. The cells may also undergo metastasis where they spread to other body parts through the blood and lymph nodes for instance leukaemia which is characterised by cell division affecting the normal functioning of the blood. Cancer affects all ages however the risk increases as one grows old. One of the common types of cancer that teenagers suffer from is testicular cancer which is more common in the youth (Kals & Montada 2001). Oeseosarcoma cancer affects the bones and it is quite common in teenagers because they experience different growth spurts therefore, teenagers who are taller than the average height are more susceptible to this disease. Teenagers also suffer from Ewing’s Sarcoma which is also a bone cancer but mostly affects the legs and the pelvis, leukaemia, growth of brain tumours, Rhabdomyosarcomas cancer that affects the soft tissues and lymphoma which develops in the lymphatic system. The mentioned diseases are mainly treated through surgery where the tumour or affected tissue is removed, chemotherapy which involves use of drugs to eliminate cancer cells, immunotherapy which uses certain hormone to block the actions of cancerous cells, radiation therapy which uses energy to eliminate or shrink cancer cells and biologic therapy which uses drugs to block the biological processes of tumours (Dejardin et al. 2006). Cancer develops as a result of abnormalities in the genetic material of transformed cells. The abnormalities may arise because of exposure to carcinogens from radiation and chemical elements, tobacco smoke, consumption of too much alcohol and random occurrence of errors in the DNA replication because of inheriting such cells or suffering from certain illnesses such as hepatitis B and C. The lifestyle that we have adopted can also increase the probability for cancer development. For instance, today most teenagers suffer from obesity because of poor feeding habits and lack of regularly exercising (Brannen et al. 1993). Most medical reports reveal that obesity triggers the development of cancer. Also the lifestyle that we have adopted creates a ‘safe’ environment for teenagers to engage in unprotected sex. This may lead to contraction of the HPV virus (Human Papillioma Virus) which causes vulvar, cervical and vaginal cancers. Intense exposure to the sun may also lead to development of skin cancer due to destruction of skin cells by the UV rays. Organ transfer and hormonal imbalance which may be caused by too much exposure to hormonal treatment can also lead to development of cancer (Armstrong 1989). Various researches that have been conducted on teenagers living with cancer reveal that about 125 per millions person in their teenage-hood suffer from cancer. In Europe about 1 to 500 children suffer from cancer before they reach the age of 15 years (Culpepper 2006). It has also been noted that cancer is the second cause of the high mortality rates in teenagers. Every year about 150 cases of teenagers in a population of 1 million teenagers living with cancer succumb to the disease (Alston et al. 2007). It is also quite evident that most teenagers living with cancer were either diagnosed with leukaemia or growth of tumours in various parts of their bodies. These studies also show that more boys are diagnosed with cancer than girls in a ratio of about 2:1 (Epidem et al. 2000). Unfortunately, teenagers are categorized together with children during cancer diagnosis, treatment, management and determination of its psychological effects. Teenagers differ from children in many aspects and therefore need to be categorized as a distinct group to enable health practitioners, their family members, friends and the society to understand the perception of teenagers living with cancer. This will also lead to development of distinct services that comply with their needs and traits (medical, educational, social and psychological) (Nettleton 2006). Teenagers experience physical changes that demand privacy and result to development of sexual and dating relationships. They also seek to acquire dependence of their lives and thus shift their reliance from parents to their peers. Many teenagers are also confused with issues that are related to their body image such as size and appearance. Teenagers living with cancer are burdened more with these pressures because of the side effects resulting from cancer treatment. Their social life, school life, employment and future dreams are interfered with. Furthermore, they are robbed of their freedom of independence and privacy (Armstrong 1989). Methodology The design for data collection and analysis that was used to study the way in which sociologists point to the social nature of living with cancer as a teenager comprised of both the qualitative and quantitative mechanism. This gave both statistical information and an opportunity to make subjective assessment from the data collected. The quantitative design consisted of use of questionnaires that focused on the impact cancer had on the lives of the teenagers mostly their social, personal and psychological lives. The qualitative approach comprised of semi-structured interviews targeted to get the different views of teenage boys and girls living with cancer, those from different ethnicity and family backgrounds (Calnan 1987). Data was collected from teenagers aged between 13 and 19 years. The study sample consisted of teenagers living with cancer and those that have survived this traumatic predicament. The teenagers were randomly selected from hospital records kept by four different health care units two located in the urban areas and the other two in the rural areas. Questionnaires comprising both open ended and close ended multi-tick questions were given to the study sample. There was also a secluded section for conduction of a face-to-face interview which was carried out at convenient locations of the study group. Some preferred it to be done from the comfort of their homes while others suggested the interviews to be conducted from serene parks. Most of the teenagers still living with cancer were interviewed from hospital arrays and conference rooms as they were still recuperating (Harding 1989). Most of the data collected was coded and thus easily stored in the computer database for analysis using statistical methods of social science. The data collected was categorized according to sex, ethnicity and class using simple statistical tests of significance. Data collected during the face-to-face interviews was transcribed using qualitative materials which were used to develop themes and illustrative examples to develop contexts for the quantitative data (Harding 1989). Discussion From the results collected it is quite evident that most of the young people living with cancer are not subjected to cancer care services tailored to meet their physical, psychological, emotional and social needs. This suggests that most hospital units lack cancer referral centres that comply with the needs of teenagers living with cancer. Most of the interviewed teenagers said that they were treated in children wards by paediatric oncologists. They reported having experienced great levels of discomfort as their needs were ignored. For instance, lights were switched off at around 8pm in most hospitals and this was not in accordance to most of the teenagers’ wishes (Goffman 1963b). The data collected also showed that the pain and side effects of cancer treatment affected most of the teenager’s physical activities such as movement, personal grooming, mental activities such as reading, social activities like visiting friends and engaging in their hobbies. Their family roles were also affected because they could not normally execute and engage in them. The side effects resulting from cancer treatment highly robs off teenagers the thrill of life by subjecting them to emotional distress because of experiencing fear of dying at an early age, physical suffering from the pain they experience, social handicap and altered family roles because cancer diagnosis, treatment and management alienates the teenagers from their normal lives. Therefore, the type of cancer treatment and management subjected to teenagers suffering from cancer should be highly considered in the palliative care (Culpepper 2006). Teenagers both from different family backgrounds and ethnicity confessed that the relationship with their parents and siblings changed. Most of them confessed that they became closer to their parents and siblings in an attempt to gaining emotional and psychological support. This in contrast with the independence that teenagers seek, they usually separate themselves from their parents and siblings in an attempt to gaining privacy. Most of their time is spent with peers. Cancer treatment shuts down this window and the teenagers reduce their socialism to the extent of being completely shut off from the company of their peers. Also a wall between teenagers living with cancer and the others is created. This is because the two groups have different perception towards life (Culpepper 2006). Teenagers living with cancer develop a more positive attitude and focus on attaining the best from their life. The teenagers also confessed of having difficulties in maintaining their relationships with friends because of constantly reflecting on what their friends think about them and their illness, facing difficulties in talking to their friends because they do not know what to tell them and do not want to constantly answer questions about the state of their health. They lack defined ways in which they can direct their friends in helping them to overcome this epidemic. Also they find it hard to accept the changes that they are facing. For instance, most of the teenagers when diagnosed with cancer are usually in a relationship which is usually affected and broken because neither of the two can withstand the intense emotional and psychological stresses emulated by the disease (Gooffman 1963a). All the teenagers living with cancer regardless of their sex, ethnicity and family background said that the disease affected their studies and future plans. They also attested that finding a job that suited their living condition was impossible thereby closing down the chances for them to be employed. The collected data also revealed that boys are socially and psychologically affected more than girls a fact that interferes with their self esteem and confidence even after surviving from the harsh effects of the disease. Most tend to alienate themselves from their counterparts because they see themselves as incapacitated to do most of the things their peers are doing (Alston et al. 2007). The physical image of their body makes them perceive themselves as weak. Black teenagers and those from poor family backgrounds have a higher tendency of developing cancer because of the risky lifestyle that they propel. Most engage in unprotected sexual activities, others turn to drugs, alcohol and use of tobacco to act as their solace in life. This is because of the social discrimination that they receive from the community. The data collected revealed that they had a worse experience than the other teenagers living with cancer. This is because they are further alienated from the society because of the cultural practices and beliefs, their colour and financial status. Therefore, there should be a mechanism that ensures teenagers suffering from cancer receive equal treatment from the community and health care units (Alston et al. 2007). Conclusion The research conducted revealed that the diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer to teenagers living with cancer greatly interfere with the activities of this critical growth stage. For example, teenagers living with cancer are curbed from discovering their independence, potential, strengths and weaknesses. Also the school life, social life and employment are put on hold for an unknown period of time because they become isolated from their peers, adults and school. Furthermore, their body structure, image and overall health is affected because most cancer patients may gain or lose weight, lose hair and proper functioning of some of their body organs depending on the damage the cancer had caused or the type of cancer they are suffering from. It is also quite evident that the social nature of teenagers suffering from cancer has been overlooked. There are no separate facilities for treating them because their diseases is classified as childhood cancer therefore are treated by paediatric oncologists. Also there are no cancer care services tailored to meet their physical, social, psychological and emotional needs. Therefore, more research and studies should be conducted on teenagers living with cancer to increase the awareness of their plight thereby elaborating on the different physical, social and educational needs they have from other cancer patients. This will also capture the attention of medical practitioners, health care units, the government and the society at large thereby elevating the importance of developing specialized cancer care tailored to suit teenagers living with cancer. References Alston, RD, Rowan, S, Eden, TO, Moran, A & Birch, JM 2007, ‘Cancer incidence patterns by region and socioeconomic deprivation in teenagers and young adults in England’, British Journal of Cancer, Vol. 96, No. 11, pp. 1760-17666. Armstrong, D 1989, An outline of sociology as applied to medicine, 3rd Ed, London, WRIGT. Brannen, J, Dodd, K, Oakley, A & Storey, P 1993, Young people, health and family life, Buckingham: Open University Press. Calnan, M 1987, Health and illness: the lay perspective, London, Tavistock. Culpepper, L 2006, Secondary insomnia in the primary care setting: review of diagnosis, treatment and management. Current Medical Research and Opinion, Vol. 22, No. 7, pp. 1257-1268. Dejardin, O, Herbert, C, Velten, M, Buemi, A, Ménégoz, F, Maarouf, N & Launoy, G 2004, ‘Social and geographical factors influencing the delay in treatment for colorectal cancer’, British Journal of Cancer, Vol. 91, pp. 1751-1752. Epidem, EP, Wakefield, J, Best, N & Briggs, D 2000, Spatial epidemiology, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Goffman, E 1963 a. Stigma: notes on the management of spoiled identity. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Goffman, E 1963 b, Stigma: notes in the management of spoiled identity, Pelican, Harmonds-worth. Harding, G 1989, Adolescence and health: a literature review, London, Thomas Coram Research Unit. Kals, E, & Montada, L 2001, ‘Health behaviour: an interlocking personal and social task’, Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 6, pp. 131-148. Kleinman, A 1988, The illness narratives: suffering, healing and the human condition, New York, Basic Books. Nettleton, S 2006, The sociology of health and illness, Oxford, UK, Blackwell publisher. Walker, ARP, Walker, BF, Jerling, J, Rossouw, K & Lelake, A 1999, ‘Health and cancer prevention: implications of the knowledge and beliefs of 15-16 year old school pupils in South Africa’, The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, Vol. 119, pp. 80-84. Wawsczczyk, R 2005, ‘A teenagers experience of cancer’, Journal of Royal Society of Medicine, Vol. 98, No. 8, pp. 370-371. Appendices: Multi-tick Questionnaire 1) To what degree has cancer affected your social life? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2) To what degree has cancer affected your family relations and role? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3) To what degree has cancer affected your school life? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4) To what degree has cancer affected your opportunities of being employed? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5) To what degree has cancer changed your perception towards life? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Please comment (in less than 100 words) the changes you would like to be implemented in the cancer care services provided to teenagers living with cancer. Read More