Approach to Cancer Care - Essay Example

Approach to Cancer Care of the University Approach to Cancer Care Introduction: Diagnosis and staging of cancer Cancer is not just one disease but a group of diseases with more than two hundred types of cancers. Cancers are generally named after the organs they attack. For example, cancer that attacks the colon is called colon cancer. Caners begin in cells, which is the basic unit of the structure of the human body. When the normal cells become cancer cells, that part of the body becomes cancerous. The cells grow in a methodical manner and generate more cells to maintain the health of the body. The genetic material (DNA) of a cell gets damaged, which results in mutation that interferes with normal cell growth and division. The extra cells form a mass of tissues which take the shape of a tumor. Apart from a number of preliminary tests, positive diagnosis is made by investigation of a biopsy sample of concerned cancer tissue. Cancer staging is mostly decided by biopsy outcomes which provide definite clues to decide the level of the cancer type and the magnitude of cancer spread. Staging also enables the caregivers to arrive at the conclusion of treatment modes. Staging is also pointer to the aggressiveness and indicator as to how widespread the cancer in the body is. Loss of desire for food or inexplicable weight loss, exhaustion, cachexia, headaches, bone or joint pain, neurological indications, such as wobbly walk or memory loss, neck or facial enlargement, unusual bleeding, hoarseness in voice etc. are the warning signs for the impending attack of cancer. The most important part of the treatment mode is the concerned cancer patient. The treatment protocol must fit into the needs of the individual, on the basis of various reports before the caregiver, including that of biopsy. Generally, more than one cancer specialists are involved in taking the decision about the modalities of treatment. The treatment will include one or all of the following procedures, depending on the stage of the cancer. They are: “surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy”. (Davis, 2014) At this stage, the caretaker has taken the decision about the nature of cancer and the treatment modalities. Cancer is the unrestrained growth of nonstandard cells anywhere in the body. The causes of cancer are many and some remain unknown till date. The broad, potential cause of cancer is the abnormal development of the body cell/s. Such development may be due to genetic makeup and combination of other factors. Specific enumeration of causes that result in cancer is impossibility. With the details available through scientific research, caregivers now know some grounds that induce cancer within the body structure. The strongest agent that deters cancer is the strength of immunity within an individual. “It is important to point out that most everyone is exposed to cancer-causing substances (for example, sunlight, cigarette smoke, and X-rays) during their lifetime but many individuals do not develop cancer”(Davis,2014). Heightened immune response may challenge agents that are supposed to be responsible for development of cancer. Preventive measures and proper dietary lifestyles may also prevent cancer cell survival. The specific causes and the remedy for cancer are impossible to specify. Diagnosis of cancer goes with the symptoms. As such, treatment of cancer depends upon many ifs and buts. It cannot be concluded that a particular symptom will lead to a particular type of cancer. A conglomeration of symptoms may affect a particular part of the body resulting in cancer. The concerned individual is the best judge to study the possible impact of the symptoms through vast literature available on internet, journals and books on the subject of cancer but that should not encourage one to begin self-treatment. The research findings may be useful while consulting a health-care provider but they are not the substitutes to begin self-medication. Three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen physical and psychological effects The types of cancers are on the rise and so are the treatment methods. New treatment methods have increased the life-span of cancer patients. Often, the cure proves to be conditional. “Even so, people with cancer face the risk of substantial and permanent physical impairment, disability, and inability to perform routine activities of daily living, as well as the psychological and social problems that can result from the diagnosis and its squeal”.(Alder,2008) Providing top-quality biomedical care to the cancer patient is one part of the treatment. Depression, stress and other mental ailments can be addressed if psychological support is considered as a fundamental issue related to cancer treatment. As such, all the concerned agencies have an important role to play in addressing the psychological needs of the cancer patients during and after their treatments. 1. Health Impairment, Disability, Fatigue, and Pain A good percentage of people who suffered cancer are obliged to cut down their day to day normal activities. “Individuals with a history of cancer also have significantly higher rates of other chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease. When cancer and another chronic illness co-occur, poor health and disability rates are 5 to 10 times higher than otherwise expected (Hewitt et al., 2003). Intellectual (cognitive) impairment is observed in some teenagers and grownups cured from cancer. Their responsiveness and attentiveness are affected. Children have special problems and have difficulties in doing classwork efficiently and their intellectual responses may be affected years later. 2. Fatigue “Fatigue is the most frequently reported symptom of cancer and is identified as causing the greatest interference with patients’ daily activities, although estimates of rates of fatigue among individuals with cancer vary greatly”.(Adler,2008) Fatigue has been accepted as one of the important side effects of cancer. “Fatigue is theorized to arise from a complex combination of poorly understood physical and psychological effects of illness that may be different in each patient (Carr et al., 2002). It may affect the cancer patient both during and after the treatment. An individual suffering from cancer fatigue will not be able to function at one’s normal pace. One feels let down by the body. Even after taking rest, one is unable to recoup the initiative and revert to normalcy and this condition may last long after the treatment. This is one of the most troublesome side effects of cancer as it impacts one at the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. One may not be interested in normal conversation, let alone performing other functions. 3. Pain The peculiar characteristic of the pain is that it may continue even when the treatment for cancer is over with no indications of cancer in the body. This sort of pain is attributed to exhaustion, diminished function of various parts of the body and a host of psychosocial issues. Cancer itself is a painful disease. The treatment processes and the various tests conducted to diagnose cancer may cause pain. Patients with advanced stage of cancer will have pain when a tumor comes into contact with bones, nerves or any other part of the body and exerts pressure. Coughing, sneezing and different movements of the body may cause pain. Spinal cord compression creates unbearable pain. When the cancer spreads to bones, external radiation may be necessary to treat the weakened bone. Cancer treating procedures and surgery are also painful processes and appropriate medication is prescribed by the caregivers for relief from the pain. Chemotherapy may result in blisters and pain in the mouth and throat. This pain can be bad enough that people have trouble in eating, drinking and even talking. Limitations in Activities of Daily Living Daily self-care activities of the cancer patients are affected. They are unable to do the normal functions. Age-relevant bodily and intellectual actions are affected. Some such activities are: Bathing, using toilet, preparing meals, dressing and taking food. Some of the daily instrumental activities like paying bills, using transportation, using telephone etc. are impacted. Psychological Problems Psychological problems related to cancer are individual as well as collective. One’s suffering is both physical as well as psychological. For his near and dear ones and the immediate family members, the suffering is importantly psychological. The caregivers also suffer, but their suffering is on a lower scale, as to treat cancer patients is part of their profession. For a cancer patient, it is not an easy task to transcend the psychological problems as one undergoes traumatic experiences confronted with tough medical procedures. Psychological distress is more painful than the physical impairment discomfort. Conclusion It is better to stick to the wise saying, ‘prevention is better than cure’. Even a healthy individual should make the habit of going through the literature available on cancer, and take remedial measures in time, if necessary. The disease needs to be challenged with change in lifestyles, inputs on dietary habits, regular exercises, morning walks etc. Stressful living will have an adverse effect on the patients. Meditation and spiritual orientation will lessen the chances of periodical visits to the doctor. The procedures of treatment detailed above need to be followed as per the advice of the caregiver physicians/s. References Cited Adler, NE (2008).The Psychosocial Needs of Cancer Patients - Cancer Care... Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Psychosocial Services to Cancer Patients/Families in a Community Setting; Adler NE, Page AEK, editors. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › NCBI › Carr D, Goudas L, Lawrence D, Pirl W, Lau J, DeVine D, Kupelnick B, Miller K.(2002). Management of cancer symptoms: Pain, depression, and fatigue: AHRQ Publication No. 02- E032, Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Davis, Charles Patrick (2014).How is cancer diagnosed? – MedicineNet. Balentine, Jerry R(Ed.) www.medicinenet.com › Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on January 21, 2014 Hewitt M, Rowland JH, Yancik R (2003). Cancer survivors in the United States: Age, health, and disability. Journal of Gerontology, 58(1), 82–91. Read More