Introduction
Cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases experienced around the world today. By definition, cancer occurs from aberrant cell development in any part of the body, in humans and animals (Aslam & Mehmood, 2020). Without immediate action, the cells can spread throughout the body, damaging normal tissue creation. According to the National Cancer Institute (2020), cancer affects 1 in 3 Americans and more globally. This is a significant number that needs urgent intervention. Besides, a 20-year projection indicates that cancer cases could grow by 70% (Rahib et al., 2021). Therefore, nurses must guarantee optimal care for cancer patients during treatment. Besides, nurses gather cancer patient health information to provide individualized care. This paper examines cancer-related issues, from its diagnosis, stages, complications, and side effects to the strategies to reduce treatment side effects. Moreover, the report will illustrate how the American Cancer Society can enlighten and support cancer patients. Finally, the article will discuss mechanisms by nurses to help cancer patients during the treatment period and how the current systems can be improved through an interdisciplinary research approach.
Diagnosis and Staging of Cancer
Cancer Diagnosis Methods
First, a doctor can conduct a Physical exam for cancer diagnosis. Doctors utilize this procedure to detect malignant tumors in patients. The doctor may categorize changes in a patient’s skin color and organ size as anomalies because they could be cancer symptoms. Second, lab experiments can help diagnose cancer. The doctor takes a blood and urine sample from the patient to look for signs of Cancer (American Cancer Society, 2022). A complete blood count may reveal an anomaly in leukemia patients’ white blood cells.
Imaging exams are another way doctors examine a patient’s organs and bones. CT scans, ultrasounds, X-rays, and MRIs assess patients’ organs. Cancer is diagnosed based on the patient’s symptoms. Recurrent headache patients usually get a CT scan. Radiologists employ CT, x-rays, and ultrasound to diagnose cancer. Weight loss and a persistent cough may warrant an x-ray.
Lastly, a doctor can conduct a Biopsy to diagnose cancer. A biopsy is when a doctor takes a sample of cells from a patient to test in the lab. This is the gold standard for cancer diagnosis in the medical profession. A biopsy is the best cancer diagnosis method since it delivers the most definitive results (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2021, para 4). The location and type of cancer being researched will define the optimal method of Biopsy to perform on a patient. Researchers and clinicians use microscopes to investigate cells in the lab and find cellular problems.
Cancer Staging Methods
Cancer staging refers to the process by which a practitioner can find out how many cancerous cells are in a patient’s body and their locations. The process is crucial since it informs the severity of the treatment required and the prognosis for the patient. It’s also useful for learning about the different cancer therapy options available to a patient. The most common cancer staging technique is the numeric and Tumor, Node, Metastasized (TNM) system, which is integral to many types of cancer. Medical institutions widely use the TNM system for reporting cancer cases. Unless a different system exists for your cancer form, this system will be used to describe a patient’s cancer in the pathology report (National Cancer Institute, 2020). Besides, brain and spinal cord tumors and blood malignancies are diseases that use distinct staging methods.
First, the T in the TNM system of cancer staging refers to the primary tumor. It is categorized into three main groups depending on how much can be found in the patient’s body. TX indicates that the main tumor is not measurable, while the T0 shows that the main tumor can’t be found. The last category comprising T1, T2, T3, and T4, shows the primary tumor’s size (ACS, 2022, para. 18). The more significant the tumor or the more deeply it has metastasized into surrounding tissues, the higher the number after the T. Further subdividing T into T3a and T3b can achieve even greater specificity.
Second, N denotes the regional lymph nodes (N) subdivided into NX, N0, and N1. NX indicates that lymph node cancer staging is not possible. An N0 means no cancer in any of the lymph nodes in the immediate area. In contrast, an N1, N2, or N3 suggests that cancer has spread to one or more of the lymph nodes in the immediate vicinity (ACS, 2022, para. 19). In cases where cancer has spread to multiple lymph nodes, a greater number follows the N.
Lastly, the M in the numerical and TNM method of cancer staging demonstrates distant metastasis codes as MX, M0, and M1. MX indicates unmeasurable metastasis, while M0 shows cancerous cells that haven’t spread across the body tissues (ACS, 2022, para. 20). Conversely, M1 implies that cancer is all over the body of the patients, and body tissues could be at risk.
Complicating Factors in Cancer, Harmful Effects of Treatment, and Strategies for Coping with Them All
Cancer Complications
Cancerous cells result in many health complications in the human body. To begin with, cancer causes fatigue. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be the cause of fatigue in patients. However, cancer patients can manage some of the fatigue caused by cancer, especially Cancer treatment-related fatigue. Secondly, cancer cells put excessive pressure on the nervous system resulting in pain and paralysis. Besides, chemo brain may bring about frustrations and deliberating such discomforts as headaches, stroke, and other neurological problems (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2021). Lastly, patients with cancerous cells will likely face unintended weight loss or gain. Cancer withdraws nutrients from the patient by stealing food from the normal cells leading to sudden weight loss. This complication is not easy to treat, but it can be managed. Stomach tube has been involved in artificial feeding but proved to be ineffective.
Cancer Medication Side Effects
One of the side effects of cancer treatment is skin, hair, and nail problems. As good as radiation and chemotherapy are for cancer treatment, they result in hair loss on the scalp and body. Hair loss begins two weeks after starting treatment and intensifies in the first month or two of maintenance. Moreover, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause dryness, itching, redness, and edema. Secondly, cancer treatment causes anemic conditions in patients. This can bring symptoms like lightheadedness, fatigue, fainting, and heart palpitations. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and various immunotherapies have all been linked to an increased risk of anemia (ACS, 2020). Lastly, vomiting and Nausea are typical adverse effects of cancer treatment methods like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy to the abdomen, although it depends on the drug dosage. Besides, Weight fluctuations, dehydration, and malnutrition might result from vomiting and Nausea, making existing side effects severe.
Prevention Strategies for Emotional and Physiological Harm
Various methods can be used to lessen cancer’s psychological and physical effects and treatment. The results can be facilitated by proper nutrition as one of the methods. Eating a healthy diet helps the body function properly, especially for cancer patients, since they acquire nutrients from different food types. One common meal that should be included in a cancer patient’s diet is wholegrain, which is iron-rich. Diet is very significant to cancer patients. Scientific studies have demonstrated that incorporating a licensed nutritionist into cancer treatment improves survival rates (National Cancer Institute, 2020). In addition, psychology is very important. The support can be done in various ways, like talk therapy or canceling, cancer education sessions, stress management, and relaxation training. This process lessens the psychological and physical effects that patients with cancer experience.
The Causes of the High Rates of New Cases and Deaths from Different Malignancies in the United States each Year
Cancer incidences and their corresponding death rates are affected by various factors. Among many other factors contributing to the same, lack of exercise, inadequate nutrition, cigarette, and alcohol consumption, and obesity are leading in the list. To begin with, the prevalence of tobacco usage in the United States has become a significant public health concern in recent years. Over 445,000 Americans have lost their lives to tobacco-related cancer (ACS, 2020). Besides, tobacco usage is linked to about 30 percent of the total number of cancer deaths in the U.S. Kidney, bladder, pancreatic, lung, and colon cancer are only some cancers tobacco use causes. Regular exercise is another critical consideration.
Moreover, those who don’t engage in regular physical activity are more likely to die prematurely. Getting regular exercise lowers your chance of developing colon and breast cancer. Lastly, another contributor is obesity, as persons who are overweight are more prone to experience health problems. This condition has been linked to both breast and kidney cancer. Colorectal and prostate cancers are both exacerbated by poor dietary habits.
Cancer Education and Support and Nurses Recommendation
Literature is being published by the ACS, like essays and books that may help educate people living with cancer. These publications comprise copying strategies, types of cancer, and methods of treatment and prevention techniques that cancer patients can apply. You can get as many patient education leaflets, pamphlets, and booklets as you need. Patients who are financially struggling are offered support financially by ACS. Furthermore, people are offered a 24-hour helpline by the ACS where they can talk about cancer and its treatment(ACS, 2020).
The ACS offers an online engagement service to cancer patients, which nurses highly recommend. These services are important since they make cancer patients more encouraged and free to open up and share their side of the story. There is sufficient information about treatments available in the ACS literature publications that cancer patients can get. Besides, these online platforms provide information that teaches and educates the public about various cancer types and various available treatments.
Providing Care for Cancer Patients by Utilizing the Nursing Process
Nurses should assess the patient’s condition before undertaking any care. Oncology nurses analyze patient data. Social, cultural, economic, psychological, and behavioral factors should be examined. The oncologist discusses treatment choices with the patient after detecting cancer (Toney-Butler & Thayer, 2020). The second step in nursing should be planning and scheduling for patient care. The oncologist and patient set long-term and short-term goals at this stage. This includes daily dietary intake and counseling services to settle problems. The patient needs test results to make an informed decision. The nurse helps with symptom management and referrals. Notably, oncology nurses are committed to fulfilling their patients’ desires through proper service delivery. For that reason, they subject their patients to chemotherapy treatment on time. Oncology nurses learn chemotherapy under ONA’s guidelines and courses. As cancer patients struggle to provide oncology nurses with different experiences, oncology nurses prioritize identifying and developing new cancer treatments (Yu et al., 2020). Besides, they provide efficient pain management and medications and teach families how to handle cancer patients.
Nursing Knowledge of Liberal Arts and Science Studies
Compared to nurses who only studied nursing, those with a background in the humanities have a significant edge in the workplace. Nurses who have taken liberal arts courses report feeling more at ease and more accepting of their patients’ diversity. Nursing is considered superior to other fields because of its strength (Gea-Caballero et al., 2021). Nurses would do well to get a dual degree in liberal arts and science studies, as doing so would better equip them to interpret quantitative data like statistics. Liberal arts education has influenced nurses to reconsider their beliefs about different faiths and cultures. Nurses who major in the liberal arts are more equipped to take on leadership roles and responsibilities in the healthcare system. Liberal arts and science subjects provide nurses with a foundation for successful communication and teamwork.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is well-known that cancer is a major killer worldwide. Besides, statistical projection indicates a significant increase in cancer incidents by 2040. Consequently, people should consider using cancer screening services when visiting healthcare institutions. By so doing, there will be early detection of cancer, which is far easier to treat than advanced cases. Similarly, oncology nurses should continually expand their scientific and humanistic education to serve their clients better. When this is achieved, they can provide cancer patients with high-quality medical care. Nurses specializing in oncology care must keep abreast of the most recent developments in cancer treatment.
References
American Cancer Society. (2020). Health risks of smoking tobacco. American Cancer Society | Information and Resources about Cancer: Breast, Colon, Lung, Prostate, Skin. Web.
American Cancer Society. (2022). Cancer staging. American Cancer Society | Information and Resources about Cancer: Breast, Colon, Lung, Prostate, Skin. Web.
Aslam, S., & Mehmood, S. (2020). Genome editing in cancer research and cure. ‘Essentials of Cancer Genomic, Computational Approaches, and Precision Medicine, 91-106. Web.
Gea-Caballero, V., Martínez-Riera, J. R., García-Martínez, P., Casaña-Mohedo, J., Antón-Solanas, I., Verdeguer-Gómez, M. V., Santolaya-Arnedo, I., & Juárez-Vela, R. (2021). Study of the strengths and weaknesses of nursing work environments in primary care in Spain. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 434. Web.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021). Cancer – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic – Mayo Clinic. Web.
National Cancer Institute. (2020). Cancer statistics. Web.
Rahib, L., Wehner, M. R., Matrisian, L. M., & Nead, K. T. (2021). Estimated projection of US cancer incidence and death to 2040. JAMA Network Open, 4(4), e214708. Web.
Toney-Butler, T. J., & Thayer, J. M. (2022). Nursing process. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Yu, G., Chen, Z., Wu, J., & Tan, Y. (2021). Medical decision support system for cancer treatment in precision medicine in developing countries. Expert Systems with Applications, 186, 115725. Web.