Psychological Impact on Cancer Patients That Have Six Months of Life - Research Paper Example

Psychological Impact on Cancer Patients That Have Six Months of Life Introduction Cancer is one of most devastating diseases; it is considered a terminal disease and its effects range from physiological disturbances to psychological disturbances. Its therapy is bombarded with a lot of side effects that also alter the psychological and physiological well-being of the patient. Towards the end of life of the cancer patient, there is a lot that goes on in the mind of the patient. The psychological effects are quite enormous and dealing with the situation becomes difficult due to the fact that death is approaching and it is inevitable. The purpose of this research paper is to attempt to understand the psychological disturbances of the patient towards the end of his/her life. There is a lot that happens to the psychological well-being of the patient. The effects of cancer touch all aspects of the patient and of importance in this study are the psychological effects of cancer on the patients towards the end of life and in particular, the last six months. The problem will be analyzed and in this case, the problem is the psychological impact of cancer on the patients that have six months of life to live. The problem will be tackled in a comprehensive manner and it will address issues touching on cancer and its effects on the psychological well-being of the patient. Among the major things to be covered in this paper is an overview of cancer (what cancer means, the causes of cancer, and the different types of cancers), and the psychological impact of cancer on the patients. More emphasis will be on the psychological impact of cancer on the patients. Cancer Cancer is a type of disease that is characterized mainly by the out of control cell growth hence; it is the wild growth of unusual cells in the body. The cells (cancerous) that are associated with cancer are known as malignant cells. There are many types of cancer (estimated to be over 100) whereby each type of cancer is classified by the cell that is initially affected. Cancer usually develops in virtually in any organ (or tissue) such as the; colon, skin, breast, bones, lung or even the nerve tissue. Causes of cancer Cancer is mainly caused by the domino effect of cells that grow wildly and do not die at all. Normal cells in the body get to follow a methodical path of division, growth and death; a programmed cell death is known as apoptosis, when cells do not follow the orderly path cancer takes its form and begins to form hence, cancers forms when the right route breaks down. Regular cells in the body get to experience programmatic death unlike cancer cells which continue to grow and divide; the growth of these cells leads to the accumulation of many unusual cells that develop out of control at a high rate. Known causes of cancer are genetic problems, radiation, obesity, viruses, benzene and other chemicals, drinking excess alcohol and environmental toxins (poisonous mushroom and aflatoxins. Causes of the many types of cancer remain unknown to the doctors and the researchers but the most commonly known cause of cancer related death is the lung cancer. Types of cancer There are various types of cancer that women are likely to suffer from and they include; lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and stomach cancer. Men are likely to suffer from lung cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer. Other types of cancer are brain cancer, kidney cancer, cervical cancer, leukemia, skin cancer, thyroid cancer, uterine cancer, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Psychological impacts on cancer patients Cancer patients have much stress in coping with cancer as the stress ranges from mild to severe. Many patients report psychological agony mostly throughout the early months of treatment. A cancer patient is always considered a permanent patient as he/she is always exposed to the threat of reappearance and the complications of effects from the altered physiology (Sutherland 159). Cancer patients who have fewer months to live (six months) undergo difficulty times and have much in built stress. During the six months period, the cancer patients are always functional whereby three months to their deaths their health starts decline slowly by slowly. One month prior to their death, cancer patients have difficulties in getting out of a bed or even a chair as they do not have enough energy in them (their health is always at a risky state during this period) (Butler et al. 416). Cancer has various psychological impacts on patients that have six months of life that include; low confidence, stress and depression. Low confidence Cancer patients tend to have low self-esteem and confidence; this character is associated with the physical and mental changes that occur due to the cancer diagnosis and its treatment. These patients do not see the need to continue with their medications because their minds are always set on the span (six months span) they have to live (Ramsohok 1). Stress Cancer patients undergo through a lot and have much stress that is mainly attributed to cancer. The stress if not full taken care off can have common side effects to the patients; the stress ranges from mild to severe and it is dependent on the treatment and severity of the disease and the prior mode of the patient (Fobair, Rosenbaum and Spiegel 1). Depression Cancer patients who have a certain period to live before their death undergo through much depressions. This depression is mostly brought about by the cancer treatment they receive and the stress that is associated with it. Conclusion The effects of cancer range from physiological disturbances to psychological disturbances. Towards the end of life of the cancer patient, there is a lot that goes on in the mind of the patient. The psychological effects are quite enormous and dealing with the situation becomes difficult due to the fact that death is approaching and it is inevitable. The psychological effects in a summary include low confidence, stress and depression. These three elements are known to affect the cancer patient towards the end of their lives. Works Cited “Cancer Therapy Possible Latent Side-Effects.” Cancer Supportive Survivorship Care. Fobair, P., Rosenbaum, E. H. & Spiegel D., 2008. Web. 17 May 2011. “Physiological and Psychological Effects of Cancer.” Ezine Articles. Ramsohok, Parvesh, 2011. Web. 17 May 2011. Butler, L. D., Koopman, C., Cordova, M. J., Garlan, R. W. G., DiMicel, S. & Spiegel, D. “Psychological Distress and Pain Significantly Increase Before Death in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients.” Psychosomatic Medicine 65.3 (2003): 416-426. Print. Sutherland, Arthur, M. “Psychological Impact of Cancer and Its Therapy.” American Cancer Society 31 (1981): 159-171. Print. Read More