Diagnosis and Management of Colorectal Cancer - Admission/Application Essay Example

? Colorectal Cancer in the Community Identification of the Problem Colorectal cancer is the third prominent frequently detected cancer and the second primary reason of cancer amid men as well as women in the United States. In the year 2009, about 49,920 deaths were reported from colorectal cancer in the nation (Health Community Institute, 2013). Colorectal cancer is a form of cancer in which there is an unrestrained growth of cell in the colon or rectum. The colon and the rectum are the parts of the human body’s digestive system. They remove nutrients from food and store waste until it passes out of the body. Generally, the cells in the colon and the rectum are distributed in a regulated manner. If cells keep dividing then new cells are not needed. If cells continuously get separated then new cells are not transformed which in turn results in the formation of tumor. However, if the tumor is identified to be benign then it is not considered to be vulnerable to cause cancer. Benign colon is a type of colon polyps. Risk factors related to colorectal cancer can occur from heredity, long-lasting ulcerative colitis. Colorectal cancer emerges when the tumor takes the form of malignant. Colorectal cancer is treatable if it is detected early but still it is the second leading cause of cancer in Miami, in the United States (Health Community Institute, 2013). 2. Select the County or City The community which has been selected for evaluating the increased level of vulnerability related to colorectal cancer is Miami population. Miami-Dade is one of the leading locations from which a number of new cases of colorectal cancer have been reported. It is observed that in Miami around 45.7 cases of colorectal cancer out of 100,000 population was recorded in between 2007-2009 This figure is considered to be quite high and the aim in terms of national target is to decrease the incident rate to 38.6 cases (per 100,000 population) (Health Community Institute, 2013). This second primary cause of cancer in Miami needs to be proper diagnosed and treated to alleviate the prevailing circumstances. In this regard, it is further recognised that nearly 150,000 Americans are affected by colorectal cancer each year. From the overall analysis, it has been observed that colorectal cancer has been affecting the white men by a significant extent in Miami-Dade ahead of Black or other inhabitants. Family history, drinking habit, smoking habit, a lack of exercise, high fat or protein diet can be amid the major causes behind colorectal cancer (Hernandez, Roy Chowdhury, Fleming, & Griffith, 2011). 3. Demographic Characteristics of the Place Both men and women are affected by colorectal cancer in Miami. Although from the precedent in Miami, it is found that white men are more vulnerable to colorectal cancer, the disease has been spreading in the recent history to the other demographic population as well irrespective of ethnicity and race. Age is not the significant factor for this disease as it may affect all the age group of people. However, there is a high possibility of malignant stage colorectal cancer occurrence after the age of 50. Family history also is a major factor which generates a high risk of colorectal cancer. In most of the cases, surgery is the main solution to remove the colorectal cancer or malignant tumour from the affected person. Colorectal cancer screening is of utmost importance to detect the disease early and to remove the malignant cells (Maule, 2013. This in turn can largely facilitate to save the life of people in Miami. 4. Geographic Boundaries Miami is the one of the leading and populous cities of the US. It situated in the Biscayne Bay near the Atlantic Ocean. The tourism industry is the main constituent of income of the people of Miami. The Miami’s government controls the local affairs. There are various program held by the Miami’s government to control the colorectal cancer. The primary focus of these programs has been to ensure early detection of the disease so that the patient can be cured permanently (Pearson Education, 2013). 5. Colorectal Cancer Statistics Approximately 72% cases or colorectal or colon cancer were reported in the US. In the year 2013, thus far around 102,480 cases related to colorectal cancer are identified (Health Community Institute, 2013). Source: (Health Community Institute, 2013) From the above figures, it is determined that amid the Miami population, the number of reported cases have declined from 50.6 cases/100,000 population in 2003-2005 to 45.7 cases/100,000 population in the period of 2007-2009. However, the national statistical evaluation still finds this reduced figure to be quite high. Thus, the aim is set to reduce the figure to below 40 cases by 2020 (Health Community Institute, 2013). In addition, in terms of race or ethnicity, it is found that among the 45.7 reported cases in Miami, the Hispanic population has been slightly more vulnerable at 44.3% as compared to the second most affected population i.e. White at 43.7% (Health Community Institute, 2013). 6. Nursing Diagnosis In order to determine the possible nursing diagnosis related to colorectal cancer, the framework of NANDA diagnosis has been followed. With regard, nursing diagnosis, certain symptoms are determined to be imperative as per the NANDA diagnosis to understand the occurrence of colorectal cancer. These entail diarrhea or excessive constipation, narrow stool or alterations in the level of consistency of stool, rectal bleeding, knowledge deficit, ineffective coping by an individual, imbalanced nutrition and anxiety among others. Moreover, fatigue, anemia and pain during the course of bowel movement are amid the key nursing diagnosis related to colorectal cancer in accordance with NANDA diagnosis framework (NANDA International, 2011). 7. Planning Early screening is the key preventive measure in this type of cancer. In-between 2003 to 2007, around 50% of the new cases of colorectal cancer were prevented due to proper planning in terms of regular screening for possible risk occurrences. There are several programs that have been conducted by Miami for Woman related to colorectal cancer detection. The main objective behind such planned programs is to control colorectal cancer by educating the community regarding the importance and threat of colorectal cancer. Especially, in terms of planning, it has been to be ensured that if a person beyond the age of 50 having family history of colorectal cancer, he/she needs to be taken for periodic screening to detect and treat the disease (Health Community Institute, 2013). 8. Nursing Interventions Nursing intervention is a type of research based, comprehensive and standardized classification of interventions that nurses perform. In simple terms, it enables to signify the strategies that the nurses can take or have taken to prevent as well as treat colorectal cancer. The treatment for the disease is executed as per the age, health and medical history. The key nursing interventions entail administering chemotherapy related agents as determined along with providing required care for the patient who is receiving chemotherapy. In addition, nurses also can involve in providing care to the patient who is receiving radiation therapy. Furthermore, offering invaluable care to a patient who has undergone bowel surgery due to colorectal cancer is also a critical nursing intervention (Spruce & Sanford, 2012). 9. Short-term Goals At first, with regard to short-term goals, it is very much essential is to educate the community of Miami about the effect of colorectal cancer. To identify the symptoms associated with colorectal cancer, proper disease related education is paramount. To prevent the disease from occurring community people of Miami must be aware of the foods items and dietary elements that they can eat. People should attempt to take greater amount of fruits and vegetables in their meal. There is also a need to take low fat protein food items. Continuous physical exercise may also help to reduce the danger of colorectal cancer. Community people also need to change their smoking and alcohol consumption habit in order to alleviate a major portion of risks associated with colorectal cancer (EMAP Publishing Limited Company, 2011). 10. Long-term Goals In relation to long-term goals, a systematic plan related to lifelong screening, cancer therapy, adjustment in lifestyle behaviors and healthcare conditions needs to be made for ensuring sustained success related to colorectal cancer prevention. Health counseling and the promotion of healthy lifestyles on the basis of therapeutic exposures are the important aspects of long-term follow up care for the Miami population. The people of Miami must join in the Health care society program, through which people may indirectly get cured from colorectal cancer by a considerable extent. Many public health initiatives can provide solutions regarding the early detections or the control of this cancer. Educating people of Miami about the economic and environment barriers that can result in colorectal cancer occurrence needs to be made as well (Health Community Institute, 2013). 11. Evaluations Proper evaluation needs to be made on a periodic basis which would in turn aim to determine the fulfillment of both short and long-term goals. The reeducation of number of reported cases of colorectal cancer would be a major factor evaluation. 12. Teaching Teaching is one of the main and valuable solutions for all the people who are affected by this disease and who are not affected by this disease as well. People of Miami need to be provided teaching on identifying early signs of colorectal cancer. Moreover, people, who are over the age of 50, need to be especially guided to go for periodic screening so that the disease is identified and cured at an early stage (Larsen, 2011). 13. Recommendations It can be recommended that people in Miami should aim look after their health by avoiding the uncalled-for aspects such as smoking, drinking, and consumption of high fat diet among others. Moreover, people need to increase their self-awareness which can be aided by the health care authorities as well. 14. Resource Available in the Community In Miami, there are highly competent treatment facilities available for dealing with colorectal cancer. These facilities include Coral Gables Hospital and Mercy Hospital among others. These medical centers offer facility for screening of the disease which in turn enables to recover the patients by a considerable extent. In addition, qualified doctors specialized in Oncology can also help the community people of Miami to deal with the disease (MedicineNet, Inc., 2013). 15. Conclusion In the past decade, colorectal cancer has been one of the major causes of deaths in the US and in the Miami region. The severity of the disease has been identified to have augmented largely due to a lack of early detection. Thus, the concerned authorities in Miami need to take adequate measures along with sustained conscious efforts of the community people to deal with this menace in the future. References EMAP Publishing Limited Company. (2011). Diagnosis and management of colorectal cancer. Retrieved from http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-zones/cancer/diagnosis-and-management-of-colorectal-cancer/5037743.article Health Community Institute. (2013). Colorectal Cancer Incidence Rate. Retrieved from http://www.miamidadematters.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=NS-Indicator&file=indicator&iid=4394349 Hernandez, M. N., Roy Chowdhury, R., Fleming, L. E. & Griffith, D. A. (2011). Colorectal cancer and socioeconomic status in Miami-Dade County: Neighborhood-level associations before and after the Welfare Reform Act. Applied Geography 31, pp. 1019-1025. Larsen, H. M. (2011). Colorectal cancer. Journal of Practical Nursing, 61 (1), pp. 1-24. MedicineNet, Inc. (2013). Colon Cancer Center - Miami, FL. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/colon_cancer/miami-fl_city.htm Maule, W. F. (2013). Screening for Colorectal Cancer by Nurse Endoscopists. The New England Journal of Medicine, 330 (3), pp. 183-187. NANDA International. (2011). Nursing diagnoses: Definitions and classification 2012-14. United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. Pearson Education. (2013). Miami. Retrieved from http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/us/miami-cities-united-states.html Spruce, L. R. & Sanford, J. T. (2012). An intervention to change the approach to colorectal cancer screening in primary care. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 24 (4), pp. 167-74. Read More