...TREATING A PATIENT WITH CANCER: MAINTAINING PATIENT QUALITY OF LIFE Introduction Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in the U.S. Case (2011) noted that the 2010 report of the American Cancer Society (ACS) indicated that more than a million an d a half new cases of cancer are diagnosed every year. Along with physical disease, cancer also brings a significant impact on the patient’s overall quality of life (QOL). This paper asserts that for optimal patient outcome, healthcare workers, particularly nurses, need to attend to the cancer patient’s overall QOL rather than simply focusing on the physical disease of cancer. This essay will first address the issue of understanding what constitutes the patient’s QOL. Then key factors that directly affect the QOL are reviewed in the context of current best evidence. That will be followed by a section that addresses the nursing implications of this subject. The paper concludes with a brief summary and conclusion about the importance of maintaining patient QOL in cancer patients. The first element, is thus to define what is meant by “quality of life.” The next section of this paper addresses that specific issue. Defining Patient Quality of Life Before patient QOL can be addressed in a nursing practice, it is essential to understand what is meant by QOL. Bahrami (2011) has noted that no specific, well accepted definition of patient QOL exists. One reason for this lack of consensus on QOL is that life quality is a highly...
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...CANCER INFORMATION PAPER HCA/240 CANCER INFORMATION PAPER The paper will reflect on breast cancer, A breast is made up of three main parts: glands, ducts, and connective tissue. The glands produce milk. The ducts are passages that carry milk to the nipple. The connective tissue (which consists of fibrous and fatty tissue) connects and holds everything together I will talk about the cause and risk factors of breast cancer, ways to try to prevent and how to get early detection. I will be speaking about the effects of your health related to breast cancer as well as treatment options for breast cancer. Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women all over the world. Breast cancer does not discriminate of race or ethnics. In reading this paper, you will see that more than 502,000 women are killed in a year from breast cancer. In 2007, more than 47,000 women died from breast cancer. Unfortunately, there are some risk factors for breast cancer that are not under your control, but learning as much as you can about them is something that should be taken into consideration. Cause and Risk Factors for Breast Cancer While we do not yet know exactly what causes breast cancer, we do know that certain risk factors are linked to the disease. A risk factor is something that affects your chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, such as smoking, drinking, and diet are linked...
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...What if cancer patients reject cancer treatment? It has been believed that cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy are the only effective cure for cancer. However, that may not be the case. There had been cases of cancerous tumors shrinking in size or disappearing on their own without the help of cancer treatment. Even though such occurrences are rare, it is still possible. It is difficult to determine how or why some patients experienced such cases without treatment while the others had to face death earlier. So what if cancer patients reject cancer treatment? In a study done by Verkooijen et al, published in 2005 in the Annals of Surgery that looked at breast cancer patients under the age of 80. It compared the patients who refused cancer treatments with those who accepted cancer treatments. It turned out that the survival rate of patients who refused surgery was 15% lower than that of those who had surgery (72% versus 87%). The authors of the study also estimated that the former had a 2.1-fold increased risk of death from breast cancer compared to the latter. This study has shown that cancer patients would have a higher chance of dying if they reject cancer treatment. Another study from Han et al published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology in 2011 also included some patients who refused or delayed their cancer treatments. It has shown that out of all the patients who refused treatments, 96.2% disease progression with 50%...
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...When I say the words “Cancer Treatment” what usually comes to mind is Chemotherapy or Radiation. But what about before technology and electronic medical devices were invented? In this essay I am going to tell you about what doctors and surgeons had to do when a patient had cancer in the 1800s. If a loved one has cancer, the doctor will often explain the procedure they are going to do to treat the patient. But for those that thankfully were never in that position, I will also be explaining some of the procedures that are done nowadays. Lastly I will be comparing and contrasting these procedures to see how similar or different they are. Have you ever wondered how surgeons treated cancer patients in the 1800s when electricity was not yet thriving?...
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...Vol 450 | 20/27 December 2007 | doi:10.1038/nature06385 LETTERS Isolation of rare circulating tumour cells in cancer patients by microchip technology Sunitha Nagrath1*, Lecia V. Sequist2*, Shyamala Maheswaran2, Daphne W. Bell2{, Daniel Irimia1, Lindsey Ulkus2, Matthew R. Smith2, Eunice L. Kwak2, Subba Digumarthy2, Alona Muzikansky2, Paula Ryan2, Ulysses J. Balis1{, Ronald G. Tompkins1, Daniel A. Haber2 & Mehmet Toner1 Viable tumour-derived epithelial cells (circulating tumour cells or CTCs) have been identified in peripheral blood from cancer patients and are probably the origin of intractable metastatic disease1–4. Although extremely rare, CTCs represent a potential alternative to invasive biopsies as a source of tumour tissue for the detection, characterization and monitoring of non-haematologic cancers5–8. The ability to identify, isolate, propagate and molecularly characterize CTC subpopulations could further the discovery of cancer stem cell biomarkers and expand the understanding of the biology of metastasis. Current strategies for isolating CTCs are limited to complex analytic approaches that generate very low yield and purity9. Here we describe the development of a unique microfluidic platform (the ‘CTC-chip’) capable of efficient and selective separation of viable CTCs from peripheral whole blood samples, mediated by the interaction of target CTCs with antibody (EpCAM)-coated microposts under precisely controlled laminar flow conditions, and without requisite...
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...Two Patients Two Cancers One Moment of Truth By: Andrea Patterson 2/4/2013 Ms. Doris M.O.B. There are so many types of cancers. The focus in this research paper is to specify two different kinds. Where in which I will describe what type they are, where it’s located, signs to look for, treatments and reactions to those types of treatments. I will also be interviewing two cancer survivors, both of which had different cancers. Dianner Patterson, who was diagnosed with Thyroid Papillary Carcinoma and Cheryl Washington, who was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Nottingham Grade 3. Dianner Lafontaine Patterson was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with follicular cells on January 31st, 2003. Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma is the most common cancer of the thyroid. It primarily affects more women than men. Symptoms include a nodule or bump on the thyroid gland that is clearly visible, swollen lymph nodes, hoarse voice, and a sore throat. If these nodes or symptoms last more than two weeks consult a doctor. Doctors can diagnose you using extensive research. The type of doctor that specializes in this disease is called an Otolaryngologist or an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor. Diagnosis can be determined by a biopsy with a fine needle, extensive blood work, or an ultrasound or sonogram of the throat. Three types of treatment include: medication, surgery, and radiation iodine. The survival rate is excellent after treatment. Dianner’s journey began when...
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...goes here cancer that affects older adults cancer that affects older adults \ THE LUNGS THE LUNGS THE LUNGS Your lungs are two sponge-like organs located in your chest. The left lung is smaller to allow room for the heart (American Cancer Society, 2013). Cancers in the lungs begin in the cells lining, the bronchi, and in other parts of the lung, such as the bronchioles or alveoli. In addition, lung cancers start as areas of pre-cancerous changes to the lung (American Cancer Society, 2013). MAJOR TYPES OF LUNG CANCERS There are two major types of lung cancers, small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Thus, these two types of lung cancers are treated completely differently (American Cancer Society, 2013). WHAT IS SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER? Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) usually begins in the bronchi near the center of the chest, and it tends to grow and spread quickly. Approximately 10% to 15% of all lung cancers are SCLC, which are named for the size of the cancer cells when seen under a microscope. More important, it usually spreads to other parts of the body before it is found (American Cancer Society, 2013). When cells from the cancer break away from the original tumor and spread to other parts of the body it is known as “metastasize” (American Cancer Society, 2013). Furthermore, the lymph system is one way in which lung cancers are spread, and the lymph system has several parts to allow the cancer to travel (American Cancer Society, 2013)...
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...Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients My topic of interest is the prevalence of depression in cancer patients. Prior to analyzing any literature my understanding was that cancer patients have a higher incidence of depression compared to the general population due to the decline in their health. My belief is shaped by a personal experience with a family member who had cancer and suffered from depression. This is significant to nursing because approximately 10-25 percent of cancer patients develop depression (Traeger, 2010). As depression develops within a cancer patient it can cause poorer treatment tolerance, decreased quality of life and an increased desire for death for patients with cancer (Traeger, 2010). These factors can result in reduced treatment effectiveness, treatment refusal, and disease management costs (Traeger, 2010). Furthermore, patients may have difficulty accepting their prognosis which can cause conflict between appropriate and compassionate end of life care causing distress in decision making (Traeger, 2010). Therefore, as health care professionals it is important that we are aware of this and offer the appropriate management and treatment options or interventions to increase the quality of life as well as help prevent the development of depression (Yang et al., 2013) (Neilson et al., 2012). During my preliminary search two articles were found; “The Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety among...
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...Cancer Patient Information Report Hello each and every one of you I am going to briefly educate you young adults today about one of the many rate cancers that the ages of 15-39 could be diagnosed with which is Leukemia. We will begin by discussing Leukemia in five important sections. Did you know that approximately 2,900 children and adolescents are diagnosed with Leukemia a year? Let’s begin by taking a look at Section One about the causes the risk factors, and learning also understanding what Leukemia really is. Section One: Causes and Risk Factors Leukemia is a type of cancer that begins in blood-forming tissues located in the bone marrow, which will begin causing a large mass of abnormal blood cells that are being produced and released into the bloodstream. No doctor has a precise cause for this cancer but two causes consist of one’s genetics as well as their environmental factors. Even though we may not pay too much attention to our blood cells its absolutely necessary for everyone to know the importance they represent to our bodies. There are three different blood cells known as Red. Platelets, and White that not only keep us healthy and protected daily, but have separate jobs that need to be maintained. But we can’t forget about Myeloid and Lymphoid cells Red blood cells have the job of carrying the oxygen needed all throughout the body. Platelets are used specifically when individuals cut themselves by forming blood clots. Then lastly we...
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..._________________ Clinico-pathological profile of diagnosed patients of lung cancer with its relation to smoking habit and educational status in a medical college of paschim medinipore west Bengal, india- A Tribal area prospective Abinash Agarwala1, PP Roy2, Samir kumar Sarkar3, Siddhartha kumar Das4, Ankan Banerjee5 1 2 R M O cum CT Chest Department, Medinipore medical college, West Bengal, India Professor & HOD, Chest Department, Medinipore Medical College & Hospital, West Bengal, India 3 R.M.O. Cum CT, Bankura Sammilani Medical College, West Bengal, India 4 R.M.O Cum CT, College of Medicine & JNM Hospital, West Bengal, India 5 Assistant Professor, Chest Department, Medinipore Medical college, West Bengal, India ABSTRACT Background: Lung cancer is one of the commonest and most lethal cancer throughout the world. Tobacco smoking continues to be the leading cause of lung cancer worldwide. An increase incidence of lung cancer has been observed in India.Objective: The aim of this study was to find out the demographic and clinico-pathological profile of diagnosed lung cancer patients and its relation to smoking habit and educational status in tribal area of paschim Medinipore West Bengal, India. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of histopathologically proven cases of lung cancer admitted in our hospital from June 2011 to June 2014. Results: Out of 160 patients, male 140 and female 20, 88.75% were smoker and only 15% are ≤40...
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...the spiritual needs of patients diagnosed with advanced and terminal cancer by the palliative care unit of a hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Methods: An observational study was conducted that involved 50 patients who were recruited between May 2007 and January 2008. A questionnaire was used which included 28 items selected from a review of the literature; the responses were analyzed using a five-point Lickert scale. The results were grouped in 11 categories corresponding to different spiritual needs. Results: Two spiritual needs emerged as the most relevant for the patients: their need to be recognized as a person until the end of their life and their need to know the truth about their illness. The least important spiritual needs were identified as those: for continuity and an afterlife; to get rid of obsessions; to achieve freedom from blame and to be able to forgive others; and the need for reconciliation and to feel forgiven by others. Conclusions: When patients knew the truth about their illnesses and they were treated with dignity, their most important needs were likely to be covered. These results suggest that patients receiving palliative care wish to live for the present with as much normality as possible and show only minor concern for their past and future. Go to: Introduction Several authors have already studied the spiritual dimension of patient needs, taking into account the multiple facets of each individual. They have analyzed the patient as a set of aspirations...
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...Administration and Pain Management in the Terminally Ill Cancer Patient: Case study of a patient in the terminal phase of breast cancer. This case study is based on Ms. D, a 48-year-old married woman diagnosed with Bilateral Breast Cancer. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy 4 years ago. Lymph involvement was noted at the time of the surgery. Recent metastases of the bone has been diagnosed and she is in the terminal phase of the disease process. Up to this point, she has been on a regimen of Oxycodone 5 mg P.O. every 6 hours as needed for pain, Zantac 150mg P.O daily for heartburn, Docusate 100mg P.O. twice a day to promote bowel movements, Celexa 40mg PO daily for depression and enteric coated aspirin 81mg PO daily for prophylaxis of transient ischemic attacks and MI. She remains in her home and is receiving care at home. Ms. D has complained recently of significant increased pain and trouble sleeping, most likely due to the bone metastases in the area of the lumbar spine. She has stated that the pain has dramatically decreased her quality of life recently also. She has expressed the desire to remain at home during the terminal phase of her disease, but needs more adequate pain management to preserve her quality of life for as long as possible. She is married and her husband is very loving and supportive of her desire to stay in the home during this phase. He has voiced some concerns about drug dependency if the patient were to receive stronger pain medication. I have contacted...
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...Case report Cultural differences in truth-telling to cancer patients: Chinese and American approaches to the disclosure of ‘bad news’ Dong Xue1, Jane L Wheeler 2, Amy P Abernethy 2 Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University School of Oncology, Beijing Cancer Hospital, Beijing Institute for Cancer Research, Beijing, PR China, 2Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA A central challenge of the palliative care clinician, and of the oncologist who sees patients with advance disease, is that of ‘breaking bad news’. As this conversation requires that the clinician divulge extremely sensitive and personal information, and usually incurs an emotional response from the patient, truth-telling to advanced cancer patients is not only a challenging task but also one likely to be handled differently in cultures according to differing norms for interpersonal behavior and communication. China and the United States, with their deepset communitarian vs. individualistic ethics, respectively, typify divergent cultures. This paper discusses cross-cultural differences in norms of truth-telling to cancer patients, that is, the extent to which physicians inform patients themselves of their disease status when prognosis is poor; China and the US are used to illustrating potential differences in approach and consequent...
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...Cancer is the leading cause of deaths in United States (CDC, 2012) even though there are significant improvements and increased treatment options available in today’s world. There are over a million new cases reported each year. Around 1,500 deaths reported each day due to cancer (CDC, 2012). Cancer is considered a group of disease that is described as uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. The result of uncontrolled growth of these abnormal cell leads to a death of a person. There are several contributing factors that fall into two broader categories such as External and Internal. External are related to tobacco, chemicals, radiations and infectious organism where internal category relates to inherited mutations, immune conditions and hormones that happens from metabolism. Further, the gender, ethnicity and overall lifestyle behavior also relates to cancer. Lack of physical activity, obesity and exposure to hazardous environmental also lead to this disease. These factors may act together or in sequence that initiate or promote the development of cancer. Several types of cancer are preventable such as cancer caused by cigarette smoking and heavy usage of alcohol. American cancer society estimated around 173, 200 cancer deaths due to tobacco use (CDC 2012). In general, cancer patients are often having mood disorders like anxiety and depression. According to National Cancer Institute (NCI), many patients experience sadness, grief and anxiety, therefore it is very important...
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...that can ultimately lead to the solution of whatever problem is at hand. This is especially true in hospitals when the lives of patients are in the very hands of those who care for them. Everything that comes through the doors of a hospital, a team of people is involved in making sure that they treat that individual with the best care. Nurses, technicians, physicians, surgeons, and specialist all play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of each individual patient. Though there are extenuating factors that can limit the amount and type of treatment a patient may receive, like insurance and overall ability to pay, the team in a hospital will do what they can to send a patient home in good health. Case Description A Middle Eastern woman in the United States, in good health, and in her late thirties notices a lump on her breast and proceeds to have it looked at by her gynecologist. Her gynecologist proceeds to take a blood sample for testing, and examine the lump. After test results from the blood sample are ready, the gynecologist determines that the lump is malignant and that the patient also has a genetic condition that makes her far more susceptible to breast cancer. The gynecologist advises a mastectomy to remove the tumor, but also suggests a double mastectomy given the patients genetic condition and higher risk of contracting breast cancer a second time. Health Care Delivery Team For a situation such as this, a lot of people would be involved. “Teams are defined...
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