Introduction
One of the diagnostic methods used to identify the possibility of cancer is screening. Modern healthcare uses screening programs to detect various oncological diseases. Recommendations for the use of screening programs are based on mortality reduction indicators confirmed by international practice. There are screening programs to detect lung, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. Screening with mammography leads to a 30% reduction in mortality from breast cancer in women aged 50-70 years. It is obvious that the younger the age of the women examined, the more effective the screening (Horner et al., 2019). Screening by examination of feces for latent blood and sigmoscopy leads to a decrease in mortality.
Main Body
After the confirmed diagnosis, the Numeric & Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM) method of staging of cancer is applied. TNM is a system for describing the anatomical prevalence of the disease based on an assessment of 3 components. Component T evaluates the spread of the primary tumor. Component N is responsible for the absence or presence of metastases in regional lymph nodes and the degree of their lesion. Component M indicates the presence or absence of distant metastases. To these three components are added figures indicating the prevalence of the malignant process: T0, T1, T2, T3, T4; N0, N1, N2, N3; M0, M1 (Horner et al., 2019). The TNM system is a shorthand description of the prevalence of a malignant tumor.
Complications of Cancer, Side Effects of Treatment, and Methods to Lessen Effects
The first complication of cancer is pain syndrome, which in cancer patients is often associated with bone metastases, involvement of a nerve or nerve plexus, or pressure exerted by a tumor. Aggressive pain therapy is necessary to treat cancer and maintain quality of life (Horner et al., 2019). The second complication of cancer is spinal cord compression. It can occur due to the spread of the tumor into the spine and requires emergency surgery or radiation therapy (Horner et al., 2019). Symptoms may include back pain, paresthesia of the lower extremities, and intestinal and bladder dysfunction. The diagnosis is confirmed by computed tomography or Magnetic resonance imaging. Refusal to carry out specific treatment leads to disability of the patient. This is due to the development of disorders of the sensitive and motor functions of the extremities, the function of the pelvic organs, and severe pain syndrome, which can be prevented by timely radiation therapy in an independent mode or as part of complex therapy.
The third complication of cancer is blood clots in the veins of the lower extremities. They cause thromboembolism of the branches of the pulmonary artery. They are often diagnosed in patients with pancreatic, lung, and other solid tumors, as well as in patients with brain tumors. Thrombosis develops 13 times more often in the presence of cancer metastases (Horner et al., 2019). Tumors produce procoagulants, such as tissue factor, which leads to increased thrombosis, especially in patients undergoing surgery.
Chemotherapy medications spread throughout the body because they are typically injected intravenously, attacking both tumor and healthy, actively dividing cells. As a result, adverse outcomes happen: The cells of the heart, kidneys, bladder, neurological system, and lungs can be harmed by various chemotherapy medications (Horner et al., 2019). Chemotherapy drugs attack red bone marrow cells, and the content of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood decreases, resulting in anemia. Approximately one in five patients who receive chemotherapy have problems with memory and thinking (Horner et al., 2019). In addition, as a result of chemotherapy, constipation often occurs — a condition when the stool becomes more sparse and dense and departs with difficulty.
Methods to lessen physical and psychological effects include biofeedback—this is learning to manage patients’ physiological reactions to pain and stress under the control of consciousness. Relaxation therapy can also be used, which aims to cause a relaxation reaction characterized by reduced activation and a decrease in sympathetic activity (Horner et al., 2019). In addition, patients should follow the doctor’s recommendations regarding sleep, rest, and nutrition, which can alleviate some side effects.
Factors Contributing to Incident & Mortality Rates of Various Cancers in Americans
Factors that contribute to the yearly occurrence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans are carcinogens. Among chemical carcinogens, substances that are released during smoking occupy a special place. For example, among smokers, mortality from lung cancer is 11 times higher, and cancer of the esophagus, oral cavity, larynx, and pharynx is 7 times higher than in non-smokers (Li et al., 2019). Other important traceable sources of carcinogens are industrial chemicals, medicinal substances, and food components. In addition, factors related to the deterioration of nutrition among Americans play an important role. For example, the risk of death from stomach cancer increases when eating foods rich in carbohydrates and poor in proteins, smoked meats, pickles, and marinades.
American Cancer Society (ACS)
The American Cancer Society (ACS) might provide patients and their relatives with various methods of education and support. For example, educational activities may be used to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy (Saslow et al., 2020). In addition, it is possible to support projects for the training of oncologists within the framework of the postgraduate education program for talented young doctors and to provide targeted assistance to cancer patients by organizing fees for treatment.
ACS services that a nurse recommends for these patients primarily include educational projects. They will be useful to all patients because they are often concerned about similar symptoms and questions (Saslow et al., 2020). ACS educational services will help patients and their relatives understand how to help themselves and their loved ones cope with the disease. Moreover, they will be able to get acquainted with both physical and psychological methods that alleviate the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of chemotherapy.
Utilization of Nursing Process Across the Life Span (B)
Throughout their lives, cancer patients receive safe and efficient treatment thanks to the nursing process. In the first phase, the delivery of holistic and patient-focused care is demonstrated in the form of assistance with the creation of a diet. Treatment with antitumor drugs is often accompanied by severe side effects, the intensity of which can be reduced with the help of proper nutrition (Desai & Brinton, 2019). Therefore, it is essential for nurses to help patients choose food that does not cause nausea.
In the second phase, assistance with nausea and vomiting serves as an example of how to provide patient-centered, holistic care. 40% of cancer patients experience issues with nausea, vomiting, and regurgitation of the stomach (Desai & Brinton, 2019). It is possible to alleviate such symptoms with the help of medications prescribed by a doctor or by non-medicinal methods that a nurse will prompt. It can suggest healthy eating and drinking habits and assist in totally eliminating or lessening the effect of unpleasant smells on the patient. Oral hygiene is of great importance in vomiting, which the nurse should also tell the patient about.
The meticulous monitoring and management of the patient’s condition during the third phase demonstrates the provision of comprehensive and patient-focused care. Regular measurement of body weight in cancer is of fundamental importance. Weight loss in oncology indicates the development of complications (Desai & Brinton, 2019). Additionally, it is important to check the temperature regularly. The nurse records the results of observations in a special journal in order to track the onset of complications in time.
The fourth phase demonstrates the provision of patient-centered, holistic treatment by addressing issues associated with chronic pain. The intensity of pain is further exacerbated by anxiety, emotional events, sleeplessness, and dread of death. The location of the tumor, the disease’s stage, and the site of any metastases all have an impact on how painful something is. There are two categories of pain management strategies: medicinal and non-medicinal. A nurse oversees the patient’s medication intake when a doctor prescribes medications in strict conformity with each patient’s unique needs. They pay attention to the patient’s wishes, watch their body language and facial expressions, follow the prescribed drug schedule, and explain it to family members (Desai & Brinton, 2019). A lot of focus is placed on non-drug approaches to pain management that involve altering the patient’s environment and way of life.
The provision of patient care with personal hygiene is an example of how comprehensive and patient-focused care is delivered in the fifth phase. Keeping one’s body clean is crucial for preventing infections and harmful microorganisms, but it also helps patients stay upbeat and motivated to fight their illnesses (Desai & Brinton, 2019). Hygienic procedures for very ill patients should be carried out by nurses who have the requisite training (Forner et al., 2019). If the patient is entirely helpless, it is vital to plan for the care of the mouth, eyes, nose, and ears, as well as frequent nail cutting, perineum washing, and skin care. The patient gets cleaned in bed if taking a bath is not recommended.
Contribution of Liberal Arts & Science Studies to Nursing Knowledge (B)
Liberal arts build on the foundational nursing knowledge related to cancer research by spreading positive stereotypes in the mass consciousness. They create a social environment that will encourage nurses and patients to behave in accordance with gender stereotypes (George et al., 2020). Science studies expand on the fundamental nursing understanding of cancer research by conducting a study that addresses pressing healthcare demands. They reveal technologies that can be used for the prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and palliative therapy of oncological diseases (George et al., 2020). Science studies become the foundation for the development of fundamental and translational oncology, integration with world science, and improving the quality of scientific methodology. Within their framework, effective preventive strategies are being developed to combat risk factors or impact on precancerous lesions.
Mathematics builds on the foundational nursing knowledge related to cancer research through mathematical models’ mathematical study of cancer. Within its framework, scientists analyze in detail images of cancerous tumors and the vessels feeding them. The results obtained in the course of the study are substituted into mathematical equations describing a rather complex interaction between cancer and healthy cells and the blood vessels surrounding them (George et al., 2020). Eventually, a mathematical model is compiled that is able to predict the probabilistic limits of the growth of a cancerous tumor based on the spread of blood vessels around it. The results obtained turn out to be very accurate, so mathematics is essential for cancer research.
By actively working to actualize abstract symptoms like pain as a topic of attention and clinical care and to integrate them into the diagnostic language of evidence-based medicine, social sciences expand on the fundamental nursing knowledge associated with cancer research. A number of works considered pivotal in this topic have been written by social researchers who have personal experience of encountering an oncological diagnosis (George et al., 2020). As some admit, this experience incentivized them to problematize suffering as a social rather than a private act (George et al., 2020).
Conclusion
Recognizing the moral significance of how people experience physical, economic, and social deprivation in practice within the framework of social sciences gives doctors a chance to address patients’ symptoms better. By choosing appropriate and appropriate loads, physical sciences expand on the fundamental nursing knowledge associated with cancer research. They take into account the condition of joints, muscles, cardiovascular system, and bone density (George et al., 2020). Thus, the results of physical sciences research can become a powerful weapon in the fight against a variety of oncological diseases.
References
Desai, M. K., & Brinton, R. D. (2019). Autoimmune disease in women: Endocrine transition and risk across the lifespan. Neuroendocrine Science, 10(265), 1218-1226. Web.
Forner, A., Vidili, G., Rengo, M., Bujanda, L., Ponz‐Sarvisé, M., & Lamarca, A. (2019). Clinical presentation, diagnosis and staging of cholangiocarcinoma. Liver International, 39(1), 98-107. Web.
George, T. P., DeCristofaro, C., & Murphy, P. F. (2020). Self-efficacy and concerns of nursing students regarding clinical experiences. Nurse Education Today, 90(1), 90-121. Web.
Li, N., Deng, Y., Zhou, L., Tian, T., Yang, S., Wu, Y., Zheng, Y., Zhai, Z., Hao, Q., Song, D., Zhang, D., Kang, H., & Dai, Z. (2019). Global burden of breast cancer and attributable risk factors in 195 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2017: Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Journal of Hematology & Oncology, 140(12), 190-207. Web.
Saslow, D., Andrews, K. S, Manassaram-Baptiste, D., Smith, R. A., & Fontham, E. T. (2020). Human papillomavirus vaccination 2020 guideline update: American cancer society guideline adaptation. Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 70(1), 274-280. Web.