Mrs. Wheeler is a 54-year-old woman suffering from colon cancer. She has undergone a surgery known as colostomy which involves opening the abdominal wall to get access to the colon. The patient requires particular care because the colostomy involves the removal of the colon from the human body to prevent the further spread of cancer. Therefore, the anus ceases to be the exit for human stool due to the disconnection of the anus from the intestines (Johns and Houlston, 2001). After the surgery, patients tend to pass soft stool because little water is absorbed depending on the size of the colon that remained after a colostomy.
Colon cancer is a disease that affects the colon in the human body. Cancer may affect the large intestines or the rectum and if not treated can be fatal. Glands in the lining of the colon develop polyps which are noncancerous but eventually develop into cancer. Cancer cells are dangerous because they glow exceptionally fast and overwhelm the healthy cell in the human body (Marchand et al., 2002). These polyps may result due to several factors, which include familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary adenomatous polyposis which runs in family lines. This means that people whose families exhibit such polyposis remain at higher risk of developing the disease.
This disease may also be caused by a genetic abnormality whereby affected people may have a history of having tumors in other parts of their bodies. Colon cancer may be accelerated by the diets of individuals, obesity, cigarette smoking, and effects of drugs.
People with colon cancer may develop several complications and one should make sure that they visit their doctors for a checkup. This is vital because early detection of colon cancer may lead to its cure or prevention from further spreading. One of the symptoms is rectal bleeding which can be determined when one notices that their stool is mixed with blood. Rectal bleeding may lead to anemia if it is chronic and this result where goes unnoticed causing iron deficiency anemia (Johns and Houlston, 2001). Colon cancer can cause one’s skin to be pale. It can also cause fatigue due to the little amount of water absorbed by the body caused by the infected colon inner walls. The tumor may enlarge blocking the colon and extending one’s body, a condition known as abdominal distension. Finally, abdominal pain can be a symptom of colon cancer although the condition happens rarely.
Colon cancer can be prevented through health promotion activities. For example, by educating people on the most appropriate diets which are known to reduce risks of getting cancer. In addition, people should be educated on the dangers associated with cigarette smoking and eating unhealthy foods which lead to obesity. Finally, health workers should educate people on the importance of having checkups since early detection of colon cancer can lead to its cure (Lerman et al., 2002).
Cancer treatment involves the killing of the cancerous cell, but in the process, healthy cells get killed. Therefore, cancer patients need to observe diet since they have to replace health cells in their bodies. Diets for cancer patients depend on the stage of the infection, symptoms inhibited by patients, the type of cancer treatment, and its frequency. Cancer patients need diets aimed at helping them build the strength to fight the disease, help in withstanding cancer and its treatment and preserve lean body mass. Cancer patients are advised to take regular physical activities to keep them fit hence making their fight against cancer more effective. These include walking and other physical activities which do not require one to strain much.
Patients with colon cancer should concentrate on consuming foods rich in calories during treatment. Calories are noteworthy because they help patients to maintain their body weight during the treatment process. They should avoid consuming too much of one type of food because it can be harmful to their health. Nutritionists should help cancer patients to determine the right quality and quantities of food required by their bodies. Proteins are vital for a cancer patient, as well as it is crucial in maintaining the body strengths of the patient. This is necessary because sick people need to have the body strength to manage their sickness; otherwise, the disease cannot be fought.
Cancer patients need closely monitored diets to ensure that their health does not deteriorate. Patients who can eat should ensure that they increase nutrients in their diets by, for example, adding butter (Lerman et al., 2002). These nutrients are necessary for providing energy to patients hence making their bodies respond positively to the treatment. In addition, students with constipation complications should ensure that they take a lot of fluids, as well as foods rich in fiber. This is notable because constipation affects eating habits hence posing a danger to cancer patients. To avoid diarrhea in colon cancer patients, they should eat oranges, bananas, and potatoes and avoid eating foods rich in fiber. In addition, they should eat small amounts more often.
References
Johns, L. E. &Houlston, R. S. (2001). A systematic review and meta-analysis of familial colorectal cancer risk. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 96 (10), 2992–3003.
Lerman, C., Croyle, R. T., Tercyak, K. P. & Hamann, H. (2002). Genetic testing: psychological aspects and implications. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70(3), 784–797.
Marchand, L. L., Donlon, T., Seifried, A., Kaaks, R., Rinaldi, S. & Wilkens, L. R. (2002). Association of a common polymorphism in the human GH1 gene with colorectal neoplasia. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 94(6), 454–460.