Introduction
Cancer is a global health concern that affects everyone regardless of gender, age, race, or socioeconomic status. According to global estimates, more than 18 million individuals receive a cancer diagnosis each year, and by 2030, that number is expected to increase to more than 28 million. Cancer has devastating and serious implications for the world. In 2020, cancer was the second leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for 8.8 million deaths. By 2040, this number will increase to 14 million annually (Rock et al., 2020). Many countries lack the resources to appropriately identify and treat cancer, resulting in greater mortality rates and poorer quality of life. This research paper will explore the application of the nursing process in providing holistic care to cancer patients throughout their lifespans. It also aims to raise nurses’ knowledge of the care of cancer patients to improve service delivery and the quality of life for their clients.
Diagnosis and staging of cancer
Several diagnostic techniques can be utilized to identify the possibility of cancer. These techniques include imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scans, X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and ultrasound (Shin et al., 2020). These methods produce images of the body that enable medical professionals to identify any malignancies or changes in internal tissues and organs’ size, shape, or texture. A cancer diagnosis can also involve the use of blood tests. These tests check for certain tumor markers in the blood that may indicate the existence of a malignancy. For instance, the prostate-specific antigen test, which measures PSA levels in the blood, can identify elevated PSA levels, which signify prostate cancer. The most common method for diagnosing cancer is the use of tissue biopsy. It involves taking a small tissue sample from the suspected tumor for histological studies, which enables viewing of malignant cells.
Following a diagnosis, the TNM method is used for staging cancer. Three components make up the TNM staging system. These are the size of the tumor (T), the extent of regional lymph node involvement (N), and the presence of metastases (M) (Shin et al., 2020). Tumor size is measured in centimeters. If cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, it can be determined by the degree of regional lymph node involvement. Finally, evidence of metastasis is used to determine if cancer has spread to other organs, such as the lungs, brain, and liver. The TNM staging system helps medical professionals in staging cancer, planning the course of treatment, and determining the prognosis (Shin et al., 2020).
Complications of cancer, side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen effects
Cancer can be a life-threatening condition with several complications. Pain, fatigue, and changes in physical appearance are some of the most common physical effects. Cancer itself or cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can both cause pain. Radiation and chemotherapy frequently cause fatigue, which can be very debilitating. Changes in physical appearance can result from surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy and can be very difficult for patients to adjust to (Lovelace et al., 2020). Cancer treatment can have negative implications equally as severe as its physical consequences. Hair loss, nausea, and infertility are common side effects of chemotherapy. Radiation therapy can cause skin damage and long-term damage to the heart, lungs, and other organs. Surgery can cause scarring, loss of movement, and nerve damage.
Cancer’s physical and psychological effects and treatment can devastate the patient, friends, and relatives, but there are ways to help lessen these effects. For the physical effects of cancer, the patient needs to be proactive about staying healthy, both before and during treatment, to achieve the desired effects (Lovelace et al., 2020). Patients should use preventative measures such as healthy eating, regular physical activity, and learning ways to cope with stress. The client should be encouraged to talk with the medical team if physical side effects become overwhelming. Patients should discuss their feelings concerning cancer diagnosis and treatment with friends, family, and healthcare professionals. This makes it possible to recognize any signs of anxiety or depression and ensure that they are treated through psychotherapy. Linking cancer patients with online or in-person support groups where they can exchange experiences and get guidance is also beneficial in managing cancer. Additionally, finding a hobby or an activity to focus on can help to divert attention from cancer and therapy. This can help the patient feel more in control of their condition and reduce stress.
Factors contributing to incident and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans
Various factors influence the annual incidence and mortality rate due to various cancers among Americans. Environmental factors like air pollution, the food people consume, and exposure to chemical agents like mercury and lead can raise individuals’ risk of developing cancer (Rock et al., 2020). In addition, unhealthy lifestyle choices, including smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity, can predispose one to cancer. Genetic factors such as inherited gene mutations also play a significant role in predisposing an individual to cancer.
The annual incidence and mortality rates of many malignancies among Americans are also influenced by factors such as healthcare access, screening options, and high-quality medical care. Individuals with access to regular checkups and screening services are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer in its early stages, enabling them to receive timely and effective treatment. Contrarily, individuals rarely accessing healthcare services may be diagnosed with cancer when it has metastasized, decreasing the probability of successful treatment. Finally, socioeconomic factors like income level, insurance coverage, and education level might also impact the annual incidence and mortality rates of different cancers among Americans (Rock et al., 2020). Higher mortality rates might occur among people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds due to their inability to pay for health screenings and cancer treatment, which is often costly.
American Cancer Society (ACS)
ACS offers cancer patients and their families various educational resources and support. The free ACS services, which cover early detection, diagnosis, and treatment, are available for all cancer types. ACS offers support groups, information sources, financial aid, and other online educational materials. (Rock et al., 2020). A nurse might recommend ACS services to cancer patients for several reasons. First, ACS offers a variety of educational resources to assist patients in better understanding their diagnosis and available treatments. Second, the ACS provides support groups that enable patients to interact with individuals who have gone through similar experiences. Finally, ACS can help cancer patients and their families manage the cost of treatment by offering financial support. ACS also provides various information for those who care for people with cancer. They include access to online support groups, information on caregiving, and stress management. The American Cancer Society (ACS) also provides information regarding research and clinical trials that may interest cancer patients and their families (Rock et al., 2020).
Utilization of the nursing process across the lifespan
The nursing process is crucial for improving cancer patients’ efficiency across their lifespans. It is a systematic, patient-centered approach to providing holistic care that considers the individual’s physical, psychological, spiritual, and social requirements (Toney & Thayer, 2022). Assessment, diagnosis, planning, execution, and evaluation are the five stages of the nursing process.
Assessment is the first step in the nursing process. In this stage, nurses gather information to determine nursing diagnoses, understand the patient’s health status, and identify potential problems. To fully understand the patient’s needs, nurses conduct an extensive assessment that examines the patient’s physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. This stage is crucial for cancer patients because nurses must identify any physical or psychological symptoms related to the disease or its treatment. Diagnosis is the second phase in the nursing process. Nurses analyze the information obtained during the evaluation phase to develop a nursing diagnosis. This is a crucial phase in treating cancer patients because it enables the nurse to identify patient needs and create a plan of care to fulfill them.
Planning is the third stage of the nursing process. Nurses create a care plan specific to each patient’s need during this stage. The patient’s physical, psychological, spiritual, and social requirements should all be considered in this phase. Nurses must offer a comprehensive plan of care that considers the patient’s entire life, not just the cancer diagnosis. Implementation is the fourth stage of the nursing process. Nurses execute the treatment plan during this stage. The care must be individualized, suited to the patient’s needs, and be up to date. Evaluation is the fifth stage of the nursing process, whereby nurses evaluate the efficacy of the treatment plan and adjust it as necessary. The effectiveness and appropriateness of the care must be evaluated by nurses, and make any potential improvements. The nursing process is essential for providing safe and effective care for cancer patients across their lifespans.
Contribution of Liberal Arts and Science Studies to Nursing Knowledge
An interdisciplinary research approach builds in many ways on the fundamental nursing knowledge of cancer research by incorporating liberal arts, science studies, mathematics, and social and physical sciences. Researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of cancer’s causes, impacts, and potential treatments by integrating different points of view (Shin et al., 2020). Liberal arts studies, for instance, could provide insight into cancer’s social and cultural components, such as how patients and their families cope with the disease or any potential stigma attached to receiving a cancer diagnosis. The biological causes of cancer, including its genetic basis and the impact of cancer-causing substances, can be better understood through scientific studies. To study and predict the consequences of various therapies, mathematics can help create models and algorithms. Social and physical sciences can provide knowledge on how certain environmental factors may influence the development and progression of cancer, as well as the potential for prevention and early detection.
By integrating these disciplines, researchers can build a more comprehensive understanding of cancer and its consequences, which can guide the creation of more efficient cures and preventative measures. This interdisciplinary approach also helps nurses treating cancer patients be more competent. Nurses can deliver better evidence-based and compassionate treatment when they know all the facets of cancer, from its biological basis to its cultural and societal implications. By combining various fields of study, nurses can better understand current medical procedures and scientific advances (Shin et al., 2020). Ultimately, multidisciplinary research methods can offer a more comprehensive understanding of cancer that can be applied to enhance cancer treatment and research.
Conclusion
In conclusion, applying the nursing process in cancer treatment can significantly improve the quality of care delivery throughout the lifespan of cancer patients. Nurses should know all aspects of cancer, including the application of liberal arts, science studies, mathematics, and social and physical sciences. A thorough understanding of all these aspects makes nurses crucial team members in caring for cancer patients.
References
Lovelace, D. L., McDaniel, L. R., & Golden, D. (2019). Long‐term effects of breast cancer surgery, treatment, and survivor care. Journal of midwifery & women’s health, 64(6), 713-724.
Rock, C. L., Thomson, C., Gansler, T., Gapstur, S. M., McCullough, M. L., Patel, A. V., … & Doyle, C. (2020). American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 70(4), 245-271.
Shin, H., Oh, S., Hong, S., Kang, M., Kang, D., Ji, Y. G., … & Choi, Y. (2020). Early-stage lung cancer diagnosis by deep learning-based spectroscopic analysis of circulating exosomes. ACS nano, 14(5), 5435-5444.
Toney-Butler, T. J., & Thayer, J. M. (2022). Nursing process. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
write