Approach to Care Breast Cancer - Research Paper Example

? Approach to Care – Breast Cancer Breast Cancer Abnormal cells growth in any part of the body such as breast, colon, pro lungs is known as cancer. Our body is made up of billions and trillions of cells and they continue to grow, divide and die in an orderly manner; however, cancerous cell growth is abnormal and without any decay. This paper aims at exploring the breast cancer, its clinical manifestations, diagnosis and stages through which it passes, and treatment processes that are employed. The paper also explores the side effects of the treatment processes as experienced by the patient and nursing interventions that are employed. Etiology of Breast Cancer Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer that is prevalent among women in U.S. It is estimated that about 192,000 new cases of breast cancer are found in U.S. alone each year. Substantial clinical evidence suggests that hormones play a critical role in the etiology of various cancers and breast cancer is one of them. Estrogen is the chief stimulant in proliferation of breast cells. The presence of progesterone accelerates proliferation rate further. This is evident from the fact that during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, the breast mitotic activity is noticed at its peak (Henderson et al 2002). Clinical Manifestation of Breast Cancer They can be described as per the following. 1. Lump formation or thickening on breasts 2. Peeling, flaking or scaling of the breast skin or nipple 3. Bloody discharge from the nipple 4. Redness of the skin over breast 5. Change in shape and size of a breast (Mayo Clinic 2012). Diagnosis and Staging When cancer is detected in the breast, a doctor proceeds to find the stage of the disease. It usually starts with a physical examination by a nurse or doctor. Ultrasound and mammography are crucial in diagnosis of breast cancer. The findings of these tests are further confirmed through a tissue biopsy. Mammography is done by taking X-ray of the breast. Ultrasonography is done to ascertain whether a lump is filled with fluid or it is a solid lump. Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) takes several images of the breast to find lesions usually not detectable through ultrasound or mammography. According to the American Cancer Society, breast MRI is advisable to the women who are in high-risk category. The advantage is that it is non-invasive and the person is not exposed to any radioactivity. Breast MRI is a new technology and can be used as an aid to other conventional diagnostic tests (Breast Cancer Diagnosis, 2012). Different stages in the breast cancer can be described as per the following (Stages of Breast Cancer, 2012). Stage I Stage I is bifurcated into two sub-stages as per the following. Stage IA This is a primary stage when the tumor has not spread outside the breast and it is equal to or smaller than 2 centimeters in size. Stage IB In this stage, tumor is not found in the breast but the cancer cells of the size between 0.2 and 2 millimeters are detected in the lymph nodes; or when tumor is equal to or smaller than 2 centimeters along with small clusters of cancer cells (with the size between 0.2 and 2 millimeters) detected in the lymph nodes. Stage II is bifurcated into two as per the following. Stage IIA No tumor is detected in the breast but cancerous cells are found in the axillary lymph nodes (such as under the arm); or when tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller in size and axillary lymph nodes are affected from the cancerous growth; or the tumor is between 2 and 5 centimeters in size but the axillary lymph nodes are not affected at all. Stage IIB When tumor is between 2 and 5 centimeters in size and it has spread to axillary lymph nodes; or tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but it has not spread at the axillary lymph nodes yet. Stage III is bifurcated as per the following. Stage IIIA When tumor is larger than 5 centimeters in size or when lymph nodes near the breastbone are affected; or no tumor is detected in the breast but cancer is detected in the axillary lymph nodes and around breastbone. Stage IIIB In this stage, the tumor can be of any size and skin of the breast and chestwall is affected from the cancerous growth. Also, axillary lymph nodes or the breastbone is affected from the cancerous growth. Stage IIIC No tumor is detected in the breast or it could be of any size and have spread to the chestwall. Moreover, lymph nodes around the collarbone are affected or/and axillary lymph nodes or lymph nodes around the breastbone are affected from the cancerous growth. Stage IV When cancer has spread to the other organs of the body such as bones, lungs, and liver, it is called stage IV cancer (Stages of Breast Cancer, 2012). Treatment Processes Radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery procedures are employed to treat breast cancer. Lumpectomy and breast reconstruction are the type of surgeries used in breast cancer. According to Fortenbaugh (2010), axillary dissection is performed after breast cancer is found through biopsy. A lumpectomy is performed for diagnosis purpose followed by axillary dissection after 1-2 weeks. Trained nurses educate patients about these treatment options, complications and risks involved and how the treatment option is likely to affect their quality of life ((American Cancer Society, 2012). Side Effects of the Treatment and Nursing Intervention Radiation or Chemotherapy is used to destroy cancerous cells but that also affects healthy cells of the body. The patient experiences several side effects following the treatment process. Some of the common side effects are nausea and vomiting; anxiety, fear, and depression; and lowered resistance to infections (American Cancer Society, 2012). Nausea and Vomiting Nausea and vomiting are the common side effects found in the patient who has undergone chemotherapy or radiation treatment. A feeling of vomiting is common even when the patient has not eaten anything. Frequent vomiting leads to dehydration and that is dangerous. Antiemetic drugs help prevent nausea. Bland foods and ice chips help reduce nauseating effect (American Cancer Society, 2012). Anxiety, Fear, and Depression Anxiety, fear, and depression are the most common emotional side effects noticed in the cancer patients. Family members, friends and caregivers can do a lot to help mitigate its effects. It is a restoration of confidence in the patient's psyche that cancer is fully curable and hundreds and thousands of people have survived from this disease can help patient to cope up with the distress (American Cancer Society, 2012). Lowered Resistance to Infections Radiation and chemotherapy treatment processes disrupt white blood cell production in the body. White blood cells in the body are necessary to maintain immunity to fight against infection. Doctor suggests flu shot a few weeks before starting chemotherapy. That is given to reduce the risk of getting infected from influenza as the infection from the flu increases the risk of lung infection or pneumonia. During the chemotherapy the immune system is weak and therefore vaccines such as shingles, chickenpox, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), and smallpox should not be given to the patient as these vaccines contain live viruses (American Cancer Society, 2012). The role of the clinical nurse in breast cancer care is to give practical advice to patients and provide physical and psychological post treatment care. Conclusion Breast cancer is fully curable when diagnosed early; early detection provides more choices of treatment and the patient can live healthy in rest of her life. Various diagnostic tools can ascertain the stage of breast cancer with certainty and the treatment process can be initiated based on the diagnostic findings. Those who are genetically prone – with family history of breast cancer in mother, sister and other close relations need to take early and regular screening to detect the cancerous growth of cells in its early stages. This safeguards the patient from experiencing trauma and distress at a later stage. References American Cancer Society (2012). Treatments and side effects. Retrieved July 29, 2012 from http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/index Breast Cancer Diagnosis (2012). University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Retrieved July 29, 2012 from http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/breast_cancer/diagnosis.html Fortenbaugh, C. (2010).The Perioperative Management of Breast Cancer. Perspectives, vol 3. Retrieved July 27, 2012 from http://www.perspectivesinnursing.org/pdfs/Perspectives12.pdf Henderson, B. E.; Bernstein, L.; Ross, R.K. (2002). Hormones and the Etiology of Cancer. Retrieved July 26, 2012 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20759/ Mayo Clinic (2012). Breast Cancer. Retrieved July 26, 2012 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-cancer/ds00328/dsection=symptoms Stages of Breast Cancer (2012). National Cancer Institute, Retrieved July 26, 2012 from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/breast/Patient/page2 Read More