Discussion board #14 - Coursework Example

Public Health Nursing Introduction Cancer may attack an area causing families, communities, or coworkers to develop certain symptoms of cancer. The situation may happen within the same period or at different times. According to epidemiologists, some clustering of cancer may occur coincidentally. The older generations of people are more prone to cancer than the younger generation. Cancer can be caused by heredity factors or environmental factors within the vicinity of an individual or group. In such a case, some ethnic groups may be more prone to particular cancer than others may.

Cancer results from malfunctioning of the body cells. It has struck some parts of the world more than others have. For instance, it has been reported in Fallon Nevada that lies within Carson desert. With a population of about 8000 people, stretching 16 Km from Reno, it reported cases of Dustin Gross in 1996. The illness attacked children between the age of 4-9 and they died after three months. The cancer spread in the town within a span of a few weeks. Cancer has been a threat in Fallon for a long time.

Recently, 17 children were diagnosed from cancer with many parents reporting similar cases of leukemia (Williams, 2008). CHN has various options at its disposal to help curb this epidemic once there is an outbreak. Basing on ‘IPREPARE’ model whose initials stand for some of the sources of cancer, NHC has established various techniques to help it curb the situation. This essay examines the roles and activities of CHN from a three dimensional perspective that can help protect the people from contracting cancer.

Primary cancer preventionAccording to Sheppard, Speakman, Ridenour, & Witten (2008), many people are ignorant of the causes of cancer. Therefore, educating the mass on the causes of the disease, risk reduction, and follow-up activities would be the best action (2007). This can increase awareness on the symptoms of cancer. Secondly, it may help provide immunization against future infections among healthy children. Thirdly, primary cancer prevention can help in warning residents of hazardous places.

Primary cancer prevention can also help CHN carry out investigations on some of the theories explaining the phenomenon of the causative agents of cancer in Fallon Nevada. This will help identify the various causes of the cancer. For instance, it may help investigate whether the environmental conditions and genetics lead to development of cancer. CHN may also recommend the American military base in the town to compensate affected groups who have fallen victims of cancer because of their military activities of nuclear testing (Steinmaus, Todd, & Smith, 2004).

In addition, CHN can carry out epidemiology research with the aid of other agencies such as ATSDR, CDC and NCEH to establish the causes of cancer in the region. Secondary preventionThese are measures aimed at managing the condition after an outbreak. For instance, after the outbreak CHN can employ a combination of techniques to control the spread of Dustin Gross. Therefore, CHN should aim at establishing measures to slow down the rate of outbreak to minimize the rate of death among children. Thus, it should sensitize the public on the importance of medical consultation before an outbreak, counseling services and regular exam services, and tests for people identified symptoms by creating health centers where parents take their children for checkup.

In addition, it should provide guidance to parents who are carriers of such of the cancer causing cells and isolate the sick from the healthy members of the society to prevent spreading disease among children.Tertiary preventionThis involves activities aimed at providing long-term solutions to cancer problems. Therefore, tertiary prevention aims at preventing further deterioration of health of individuals and groups already infected. Tertiary prevention strategies include administration of rehabilitation programs to the affected members of the Fallon Nevada aimed at reinstating the healthy living conditions of the affected homes.

Many people feel frustrated and alienated from the rest of their families when the fall victims of cancer and have to be isolated. Therefore, these programs help make the infected individuals and groups feel appreciated in the society. Kinlen (2004) proposes that, “projects and programs for managing severe pain and suffering among children of tender age should be provided.” In addition, forming of groups to support the residents that have been affected is another milestone to helping affected individuals, groups and families (Sheppard, Speakman, Ridenour, & Witten, 2007).

ConclusionDisease clusters are an essential element of the study under public health nursing. A good example is a cancer cluster. In the world of today, nuclear warfare and mining activities have intensified and can be potential sources of cancer causing agents. Therefore, implementation of the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention mechanisms can help manage cancer in Fallon Nevada.ReferencesKinlen, L. (2004). Childhood cancer and population mixing. American journal of epidemiology, p. 716-718.

Sheppard, P., Speakman, R., Ridenour, G., & Witten, M. (2007). Temporal variability of tungsten and cobalt in Fallon, Nevada: Environmental health perspectives, 715-719.Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2011). Public health nursing. Elsevier: Health Sciences Division.Steinmaus, C., Todd, R., & Smith, A. (2004). Probability estimates for the unique childhood leukemia cluster in Follan, Nevada, and risks near other US military aviation facilities: Environment health perspectives, 2(112), 766.William, A. (2008). Fallon NV: Deadly Oasis-Trailer. Web. Retieved from https://www.google.com/search?

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