The American Cancer Society - Essay Example

The American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society (ACS) ACS provides support to cancer patients by educating them on the various aspects and challenges of cancer. The ACS (2015) helps cancer patients to understand their diagnosis, the available cancer treatments and their side effects, and how to conduct yourself through the ailment stages; the ACS provides guidelines to cancer patients on how to stay healthy and active during the cancer treatment and after. Additionally, ACS educates cancer patients on how to go about finding and paying for their cancer treatment.

Further, ACS helps patients through its large database to find services and cancer support programs in the patient’s local area. I would recommend to the patient to use the ACS to learn about the basics of cancer, and its causes. Also, I would recommend the survivorship services offered by ACS. The survivorship services and education will inform the patient on how to live a healthy and active life during and after the cancer treatment. Lastly, ACS (2015) offers stories of hope. I would recommend this too.

Cancer affects the patient negatively both physically and psychologically. Most patients lose hope when they are diagnosed with cancer. As such, giving the patient stories of hope is necessary and crucial to his/her survival and well-being. Factors That Contribute To the Yearly Incidence and Mortality Rates of Cancer According to the ACS (2015), nearly 1.5 million new incidences of cancer occur in the United States yearly. This rise in cancer cases has been attributed to various causes. ACS states that cancer is caused by exposure to specific chemicals such as lead and asbestos.

Exposure to radiation also causes or increases the probability of developing cancer. In addition, genetics plays a vital role in causing cancer. Some cancer types are caused by genetics which are transferred from generation to generation. Poor lifestyle factors can also lead to cancer, for example, poor diet and the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle (Kitahara et al., 2012). Smoking tobacco has also been linked to lung cancer. Cancer policies should focus more on prevention measures. Further, the public should be educated about the significance of regular screening practices.

Regular screening practices will help health care professionals to detect the ailment early before it progresses. These practices will minimize the incidence of cancer in the United States. The Palliative Care Research Program The ACS (2015) funds the palliative care research program to a tune of 26 million dollars. Through this program, ACS will improve the quality of life for patients. Subsequently, the negative side effects from cancer will be minimized. Thus, the program will aid in improving the lives of cancer patients and their families.

More than 60% of cancer patients undergo painful treatment procedures leading to a reduction in quality of life. The palliate care program funded by ACS is seeking new ways on how to minimize, prevent and treat pain in cancer patients. Further, research under the program aims at lessening the side effects of cancer and its treatment. Nearly all cancer treatments have side effects that affect the patient negatively. By managing the side effects of cancer, the quality of life in cancer patients will improve.

References ACS. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/index Kitahara, C. M., Platz, E. A., Freeman, L. E. B., Black, A., Hsing, A. W., Linet, M. S., . & De González, A. B. (2012). Physical activity, diabetes, and thyroid cancer risk: a pooled analysis of five prospective studies. Cancer Causes & Control, 23(3), 463-471.