Approach to Cancer Care - Paper Example

Introduction

In recent times, there have been increased cases of cancer diagnosis all over the world. Cancer is the name given to the collection of related diseases that generally involves the abnormal growth of cells. These cells continuously grow without stopping and hence spreading to the surrounding body tissues. According to the American cancer association, more than one million individuals are diagnosed with cancer yearly (Hussain & Nguyen, 2014). People living with Cancer require specialized care to treat the disease. Additionally, care is given to the people close to the patients of cancer. The paper is going to discuss the approach to cancer treatment, diagnosis, staging of cancer, complications of cancer, and recommendations to address the physiological and psychological side effects of care.

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Approach to Cancer Care

The best approach to provide care for cancer patients is the use of integrated approach in cancer treatment; this is the most comprehensive method of cancer treatment. It involves the use of integrative oncology which combines the complementary and conventional therapeutic approaches to cancer treatment (Zhou et al., 2017). The approach advocates for the use of natural and vegetal products, nutrition, mind-body therapies, acupuncture, and the use of traditional Chinese medicine. According to Zhou et al. (2017), the integrated approach seeks to identify the causes of cancer at the molecular level and paving the way for the discovery of new therapeutic strategies. The strategy also offers individualized care to cancer patients meeting their every need while treating cancer.

Diagnosis

The existence of several elements in a person's body can be a signal of the presence of cancer. Laboratory tests of urine, blood and other body fluids have to be undertaken to determine whether an individual has cancer. However, these tests may not be enough. Doctors may opt to conduct a Computed Tomography (CT) scan which involves the use of X-rays to generate the internal images of the individual's organ (Hussain & Nguyen, 2014). The images are used to indicate the problem to the doctor.

Additionally, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRIs) can be used in the diagnosis of cancer. A magnet connected to a machine is used to take the images of the patient's infected organ for examination. Hussain & Nguyen (2014) state that the pictures are then analyzed by the doctor to establish the complication. Nonetheless, the best way to diagnose cancer is through the use of bioscopy. Samples of tissue are extracted either using needles or surgery to remove the fluid or the tissue. The sample is then taken to a pathologist who studies it under a microscope to determine if the tissue is cancerous.

Staging of Cancer

Despite the existence of many types of cancer, a physician diagnosis cancer according to four stages. The first stage is stage 0 (zero). This the earliest stage in the diagnosis of cancer (Schnipper et al., 2015). The cancer is said to be in 'situ.' This stage the place where it is first identified but it has not spread to the surrounding tissue. During this stage, it is easy to treat cancer even using traditional medicine.

The second stage is stage one. Schnipper et al., (2015) point that during this stage the tumor measures less than two centimeters and has begun to spread to the surrounding lymph nodes. However, the spread is not extensive as it has not reached the blood or further into the body system. During this stage, the doctors call for the immediate commencement of treatment to prevent the tumor from spreading.

The third stage is stage two and three. These stages are commonly referred to as regional spread cancers, and cancer has spread to the surrounding cells. In stage two the cancers measure between two to five centimeters and have not spread from the affected cells. During stage three, the tumor is large and has already spread to the nearby lymph nodes (Schnipper et al., 2015). At this stage, the doctors call for the immediate treatment of cancer usually through surgery to remove the tumor.

The last stage is stage four cancer. During this stage, cancer has spread from the original organ system to another organ system. According to Schnipper et al. (2015), the stage is also called advanced cancer or distant cancer. For example, it might be found that a person has been diagnosed with lung cancer which then has spread to the blood or bones. The treatment at this stages involves radiation or surgically removing the tumor.

Complications of Cancer

Cancer patients experience various difficulties as a result of the disease or during the treatment of the disease. Jain et al. (2017) state that, pain is a complication faced by cancer patients. However, not all types of cancers are painful. The pain is known to get extreme during the last stages of cancer. Medications and traditional methods can be applied to relieve the pain.

Loss of weight is another complication that is experienced by cancer patients. This is because the cancer cells usually take the food meant for the healthy cells and thereby depriving them of nutrients. Also, a cancer patient lacks appetite which contributes to the loss of weight. The appetite issue can be treated by the use of artificial tubes connected to the stomach.

Another problem is the chemical variations in the body. Cancer interferes with the typical chemical balance in the body and intensifies the risk factors to other complications (Jain et al., 2017). The indicators of chemical imbalance may include extreme thirst, recurrent urination, confusion, and constipation. This can be treated medication and drinking water.

Additionally, cancer patients are faced with the brain and nervous system complications. This is because cancer can affect the nerves and may cause certain parts of the body to stop working. According to Jain et al. (2017) cancer that is associated with the head usually results into headaches and symptoms associated with stroke such as weakness of one side of the body. This can be treated by taking medications to treat the nerves and also by also taking of painkillers to reduce a headache. Advance treatment involves chemotherapy to prevent the tumor from spreading and affecting the nearby cells.

Side Effects and Recommendations

Cancer treatment results into various physiological and psychological side effects both to the family and the patient. However, the patient is the most affected individual. Chemotherapy may result in suspension of bone marrow (DeSantis et al. 2014). Consequently, the patient experiences loss of hair, fatigue, nausea, numbness, affects the lungs, heart, and the kidney. Radial therapy may affect the skin or the adjacent organs. Radical cancer treatment can result in the loss of a body organ.

A patient experiencing physiological side effects of cancer or cancer treatment such as hair loss, anemia, vomiting, nutrition, diarrhea, bleeding, fever and infections may be recommended to take several actions to counter the side effects (DeSantis et al. 2014). Such a patient is recommended to be as active as possible but takes rest and sleep when tired. The patient is also supposed to inform the doctor when experiencing pain to allow for medication and massage or acupuncture as recommended by the doctor. The patient experiencing skin problems is advised to keep the skin clean at all times and the nails short. Anemic patients are recommended to balance activity with rest while in the case of hair loss the patient should keep the hair clean and wear a wig or a scarf. The patient is recommended to avoid cuts to prevent bleeding. Also, the patient should drink plenty of fluids to prevent diarrhea and to take foods that have fiber.

It is common for cancer patients to experience psychological effects such as stress, depression, helplessness, anger, disbelief, sadness, isolation, fear, and many other emotional effects. DeSantis et al. (2014) state that it is recommended for such patients to seek mind-body procedures. For instance, relaxation therapy, stress controlling, laughter therapy, and energy therapy. Such therapy will help the patient to cope up with the side effects of the disease. The patient is also recommended to seek professional counseling either group or individual therapy. The patient should even talk about their emotional state to family and friends, cancer survivors or spiritual frontrunners. The approach will help the patient to address the psychological effects of cancer and cancer care.

Conclusion

Although the cases of cancer have significantly risen, there is hope as improvements are being made to help treat the disease. The disease is unique to each person, and therefore this creates the need for specialized care for a cancer patient. It is vital for people to go for checkups to establish whether they have the disease. As observed, it is easy to treat cancer in the early stages. Family and friends should well support individuals diagnosed with cancer. It is also critical for the patients to let their feelings known and should report to the doctor in case of any complication for immediate medical attention.

References

DeSantis, C. E., Lin, C. C., Mariotto, A. B., Siegel, R. L., Stein, K. D., Kramer, J. L., ... & Jemal, A. (2014). Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2014. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 64(4), 252-271.

Hussain, T., & Nguyen, Q. T. (2014). Molecular imaging for cancer diagnosis and surgery. Advanced drug delivery reviews, 66, 90-100.

Jain, D., Russell, R. R., Schwartz, R. G., Panjrath, G. S., & Aronow, W. (2017). Cardiac complications of cancer therapy: pathophysiology, identification, prevention, treatment, and future directions. Current cardiology reports, 19(5), 36.

Schnipper, L. E., Davidson, N. E., Wollins, D. S., Tyne, C., Blayney, D. W., Blum, D., ... & Lyman, G. H. (2015). American Society of Clinical Oncology statement: a conceptual framework to assess the value of cancer treatment options. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 33(23), 2563.

Zhou, Y., Abel, G. A., Hamilton, W., Pritchard-Jones, K., Gross, C. P., Walter, F. M., & Lyratzopoulos, G. (2017). Diagnosis of cancer as an emergency: a critical review of current evidence. Nature reviews Clinical oncology, 14(1), 45.