Approach To Care For Cancer

Running head: CANCER

Approach to Care for Cancer

Name

Institutional Affiliation

CANCER 2

Approach to Care for Cancer

The best approach to cancer care involves a multidisciplinary action comprising of a team

of cancer specialists who collaborate, plan and coordinate care for cancer patients (McCabe, et

al., 2013). In this manner, the cancer specialists can then deliver a thorough possible treatment

for the patients. Prevention and wellness is a crucial approach to cancer care. Therefore, the

promotion of healthy lifestyle decisions via screening services, advice and education is vital in

preventing cancer among populations. Some of the predisposing factors to cancer include

genetics, level of exercise, smoking, weight, and diet. Cancer centers can, thus, create awareness

on these factors to sensitize populations (McCabe, et al., 2013). Additionally, it is also crucial for

individuals to be aware of their risk factors through a simple health risk assessment that

individuals may undertake to determine their risk factors.

Screening and early detection is another basic approach to cancer care. Through

screening, physicians can detect the development of cancer early, thereby enhancing the health

outcomes (McCabe, et al., 2013). Thus, any individual in need of the screening services should

have quick access to early detection and control of cancer. Early screening should be carried out

through the community outreach programs to provide access to every member of the society.

For the patients diagnosed with cancer, access to healthcare should be made possible

through a team of cancer specialists based on the patient care needs (McCabe, et al., 2013). The

physicians should be able to collaborate with a multidisciplinary group of professionals in

planning and implementation of the cancer treatment for patients (McCabe, et al., 2013).

Through collaboration, the cancer treatment centers should also offer clinical trial and research

which employs new approaches for detecting or treating cancer. The cancer specialist team

comprises of professionals certified in neurology, nephrology, surgery, oncology, hematology,

CANCER 3

and radiology (McCabe, et al., 2013). Furthermore, the team also includes cancer nurses, social

workers, and other professionals depending on the health needs of the patients.

Engaging the cancer patients across their care is essential in improving their health

outcomes. It is, therefore, important for the multidisciplinary team have knowledge of there and

be aware of the effects triggered by various treatment methods. Patient engagement is the best

way to manage symptoms for the cancer patients (McCabe, et al., 2013). Besides, patient

engagement promotes the patient-centered care, which enhances their health outcome and the

quality of life. It is essential for the patients to feel that they are in control of the treatment

process in alignment with the care plans to promote the treatment process.

The family caregivers should play an active role in care management by being in constant

communication with the physicians (McCabe, et al., 2013). The National Care Institute outlines

guidelines for the cancer patients and the physicians on the duties of the family caregiver in

caring for the patient.

Cancer Diagnosis and Staging

Diagnosis

After the patient presents symptoms or the screening results suggest cancer as the cause,

the physician will seek to ascertain whether the patient has cancer or another condition (Weaver

& Coonar, 2017). Thus, preliminary examination involves the review of the family medical

history and physical examination. Further diagnosis requires laboratory tests, scans, and other

procedures. Foremost, during the lab tests, the presence of low or high levels of substances in the

patient’s system may be a sign of cancer (Weaver & Coonar, 2017). Thus, the physician will

conduct tests on body fluids like urine and blood to determine abnormal levels of substances in

the system before making a diagnosis. Nevertheless, abnormal substances in the body fluids do

CANCER 4

not directly signify the presence of cancer. Henceforth, physicians do not always rely on

laboratory results in diagnosing cancer (Weaver & Coonar, 2017).

Secondly, imaging procedures, also known as scans take an internal image of the body

for the physicians to determine the presence of a tumor. Some of the scans include the CT scan,

the nuclear scan, and ultrasound, MRI, PET scan and the X-rays (Weaver & Coonar, 2017).

Firstly, in the CT scan, the x-ray machine captures a series of detailed photographs from the

affected organs. The physician might administer a dye to reveal the various areas of the human

body (Weaver & Coonar, 2017). By using the dye, it is easier for the doctor to read the image.

Secondly, the nuclear scan involves the administration of small amounts of a radioactive element

through injection. As the element flows through the body systems, it collects in various organs or

bones. A scanner is then used to detect and measure the radioactivity of the organs or bones. The

scanner captures an image of the bone or the organ onto a computer for examination (Weaver &

Coonar, 2017). Thirdly, the ultrasound machine triggers sound wave, which bounces off tissues

similar to an echo. The echoes are then used to generate an image of the inner tissues (Weaver &

Coonar, 2017). The MRI, on the other hand, involves the use of a strong magnet to capture

images inside the human body. Physicians can then view these images over the computer. Lastly,

the x-ray is the most common diagnostic tool that uses radiation in small doses to make images

inside the human body(Weaver & Coonar, 2017).

A biopsy is another method of diagnosis. Biopsy refers to the removal of a tissue sample

for the pathologists to examine and determine the presence of cancer. There several methods of

removing the tissue sample and include the use of a needle, endoscope or through surgery

(Weaver & Coonar, 2017).

Staging

CANCER 5

Staging refers to the rating of the extent of the cancer growth through various tests by the

physicians (Weaver & Coonar, 2017). Lab tests play a critical role in outlining the scope of the

growth of cancer in the body tissues. Besides, scans can also help in the staging of cancer. In

many types of cancer, physicians utilize the staging information in planning for the treatment and

predicting the disease prognosis (Weaver & Coonar, 2017). Despite differences among cancer

patients, cancer with similar stages has a similar prognosis. Therefore, treatment is similar.

Staging is essential because it determines the cancer stage and its location in the human body

(Weaver & Coonar, 2017). For instance, the treatment of an early diagnosis is often surgical

while advances stages of cancer are treated with chemotherapy. However, not all cancers are

staged; for instance, leukemia spreads across the human body.

During the staging procedure, doctors initially examine the size, location and the spread

of the main tumor (Weaver & Coonar, 2017). Moreover, doctors will also look for nearby

tumors. Physicians also examine the neighboring lymph nodes to ascertain whether they are

affected. The reason is that most cancers spread to the surrounding lymph nodes before reaching

other body parts (Weaver & Coonar, 2017). The process through which cancers spread to other

body parts, away from the main tumor is called metastasis. The main types of staging are the

clinical and the pathologic staging. Clinical staging estimates the extent of cancer using physical

examination, scans, and tumor biopsies (Weaver & Coonar, 2017). Clinical staging is efficient in

determining the viable treatment methods because it examines the response of cancer to

treatment. Pathologic staging involves the information gained from surgery added to the clinical

information (Weaver & Coonar, 2017). In most cases, pathologic staging helps the doctors to

remove the cancer and the nearby lymph nodes. Lastly, the most common staging system is the

TNM, which stands for Tumor, Nodes, and Metastasis (Weaver & Coonar, 2017).

CANCER 6

Complications of Cancer

Several complications may arise from cancer and its treatment. Foremost, chemical

changes in the human body occur as a result of disturbance the normal chemical balance in the

body systems. Signs of chemical changes include confusion, frequent urination, thirst, and

constipation. Secondly, problems can develop in the brain, and the nervous system as the cancer

presses the surrounding nerves leading to pain and nonfunctional parts of the body. Thus,

patients will experience headaches and stroke-related symptoms. Lastly, difficulty breathing can

arise from the cancer or the treatment, as the patient experiences short breathe (Weaver &

Coonar, 2017).

Side Effects of Cancer Treatment

The side effects include loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, edema, and fatigue.

Patients may also present hair loss, vomiting, pain, throat problems and fertility issues. Lastly,

patients also exhibit sleeping problems, skin and nail changes, and nerve problems (Weaver &

Coonar, 2017).

Methods to Lessen Physical and Psychological Effects

Exercise for people with cancer, training in stress management, meditation and relaxation

lessens the physical effects of cancer. Additionally, cancer education sessions and social supports

help in reducing the psychological effects. Lastly, counseling and medication for depression also

reduce the effects of cancer treatment (Weaver & Coonar, 2017).

CANCER 7

References

McCabe, M. S., Bhatia, S., Oeffinger, K. C., Reaman, G. H., Tyne, C., Wollins, D. S., &

Hudson, M. M. (2013). American Society of Clinical Oncology statement: achieving

high-quality cancer survivorship care. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 31(5), 631-640.

Weaver, H., & Coonar, A. S. (2017). Lung cancer: diagnosis, staging and treatment. Surgery

(Oxford).

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Paper type

Deadline

Page count

550 words

Total price: $ 15.00

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

USA, Student

"I'm fully satisfied with the essay I've just received. When I read it, I felt like it was exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t find the necessary words. Thank you!"

Ian McGregor

UK, Student

"I don’t know what I would do without your assistance! With your help, I met my deadline just in time and the work was very professional. I will be back in several days with another assignment!"

Shannon Williams

Canada, Student

"It was the perfect experience! I enjoyed working with my writer, he delivered my work on time and followed all the guidelines about the referencing and contents."