Nursing in Breast, Cervical and Ovarian Cancer - Essay Example

There are several signs and symptoms which one can detect breast cancer and they are: a brown discharge from the nipples accompanied by redness of the surrounding region, numbness and at times a lump can be palpated. Also during the visual examination, the two breasts are not at the same level. Scientists have derived many ways to treat such cancer and the first one involves surgical removal for example lumpectomy- removal of the tumor mass only and a mastectomy- excision of the mass as well as the tissue in the periphery.

Then there is also the method of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and last but not least biological therapy. Cervical cancer is another type of cancer that is prominent among the female gender especially in the developing continents targeting mostly those who are in the age group of 40- 50 years. Unfortunately, this type of cancer can be confirmed only after a Pap smear though the good thing is that if it had been detected during the initial stage, it could be treated.

Another gynecological type of cancer is the ovarian tumor. These occupy the first common malignancy among US citizens. The signs and symptoms are mainly vaginal bleeding, pain in the back and lower abdomen, vomiting, nausea, and loss of weight. The treatment comprises chemotherapy, thermal therapy, and sometimes even hysterectomy. The main side effects are that the patients have a very low immune system and this implies that they are more exposed to infections and other diseases and are physically weak after the chemotherapy.

They are given doses of Interferon-alpha and also Leukine following the therapy as well as immune system boosters. Contraceptive methods are means of preventing unwanted pregnancy as well as assuring a maximal level of safety. Starting from the most promising way, the major position will be the regular kind of condom which reassures both against STD and pregnancy but provides no guarantee. The next one is the hormonal pills which are very effective if used in the proper way and the side effect is basically nausea, headache, and weight gain.

There is also the intrauterine device which is now adopted by many women who find taking pills difficult has the major disadvantage of them suffering from menstrual cramps and are more at risk of having infectious diseases and it is recommended only for those women who already have children. Another familiar method that involves a small surgery is the ligation of the uterine tubes though it is sometimes an irreversible process. The last familiar method remains the traditional way of natural family planning.

The drawback of such a method is that women who are unpredictable with their menses should not adopt this model.