Using the Nursing Process to Diagnose and Treat Cancer

Benchmark - Nursing Process: Approach to Care

Today, despite significant progress in recent years, cancer continues to be a significant global health concern, affecting individuals across various age groups and demographics. With its multiple causes, manifestations and potential for devastating life-altering consequences, cancer diagnosis and management require an evidence-based, multidimensional approach to care. The purpose of this paper is to examine several essential aspects of cancer care, ranging from diagnostic methods and staging techniques to complications, treatment side effects, factors influencing incidence rates, patient education, and interdisciplinary research. Finally, a summary of the findings that emerged from the research concerning the nursing process approach to care as applied to cancer diagnoses and treatment are provided in the conclusion.

Description of the different types of diagnostic methods utilized to identify possibility of cancer. Explain the numeric and Tumor, Node, Metastasized (TNM) method of staging of cancer after the confirmed diagnosis.

The initial method of diagnosing cancer is the physical examination, where a medical professional examines the body for any unusual lumps or changes in the skin color that may be indicative of some type of cancer. In addition, various laboratory tests, such as blood and urine analyses, also assist in identifying irregularities potentially caused by cancer. For example, it is possible to detect leukemia through an abnormal count or type of white blood cells in a complete blood count diagnostic test (Cancer Screening, 2023).

Likewise, imaging examinations also provide clinicians with valuable noninvasive insights into internal organs and bones that can facilitate cancer diagnoses. In this regard, imaging techniques such as computerized tomography scans, bone scans, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography scans, ultrasound, and X-rays, are all used for cancer diagnosis through detailed visualizations. Notwithstanding the availability of these diagnostic tests, the gold standard for cancer diagnoses, however, is a biopsy, in which physicians harvest a cell sample for detailed laboratory analysis (Nielsen & Narayan, 2023). For biopsies, different methods are used based on the cancer type and its location. In sum, biopsies are typically an indispensable tool for confirming cancer diagnoses (Cancer Screening, 2023). Among women, breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Staging involves assessing the extent and location of cancer within an individual's body. This process guides the medical professional in establishing the specific stage of the person's cancer. Although there are different types of cancer staging approaches, the most commonly used staging system for most types of cancer is the TNM (e.g., T = the original primary tumor; N = determines whether the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes; and M = whether the cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body (Cancer Staging, 2023). The TNM is recommended by both the Union for International Cancer Control as well as the American Joint Committee on Cancer for staging a number of cancer types based on specific common standards. According to the National Cancer Institute, “In the TNM system, the overall stage is determined after the cancer is assigned a letter or number to describe the tumor (T), node (N), and metastasis (M) categories” (Cancer Staging, 2023, para. 5).

The TNM system is a valuable framework in which to provide a detailed description of a specific type of cancer; however, in many cases, the combinations of TNM designations are grouped into various stages as shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1

Descriptions of Cancer Stages

Stage

Description

Stage 0

Abnormal cells are present but they have not yet spread to nearby tissue which is termed carcinoma in situ (CIS). It is important to note that CIS is not cancer, however, it may become cancer.

Stages I – III

Cancer is present; the higher the number, the larger the cancer tumor and the more it has spread into nearby tissues.

Stage IV

The cancer has metastasized to distant parts of the body.

Source: Adapted from Cancer Staging, 2023, para. 7

Description of three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen physical and psychological effects

While every individual’s condition is unique, cancer can cause a wide array of common complications that can adversely affect individuals’ health and general emotional and physical well-being. For instance, one of the common complications caused by cancer treatments is cachexia, an especially complex condition that is typically prevalent during advanced stages of cancer (Jaschke & Rachner, 2023). The adverse effects of cachexia are multifaceted and include atrophy of muscles, weight loss and increasing physical weakness (Jaschke & Rahner, 2023).

Likewise, other complications include the “distressing problem” of cancer-related fatigue or CRF (Pearson et al., 2023, p. 1). As the term connotes, CRF induces overall physical weaknesses that can impact virtually every aspect of daily living. For example, according to the clinicians at Yale Medicine (2023), “People experiencing CRF describe it as feeling tired, weak, slow, and having no energy. With no means to relieve their symptoms, people with CRF report feeling depressed and helpless” (para. 4). Indeed, CRF can even interfere with normal physical activities such as walking and eating (Cancer-related Fatigue Overview, 2023).

In addition, pain is a well-known and challenging complication from cancer and its treatments. Here again, every case of cancer and manifestation is unique to the individual, but severe pain can disrupt both physical and mental activities to the point where nothing else matters but to obtain some relief. Furthermore, some of the other side effects of cancer treatment can include the loss of taste and smell as well as neuropathy and alterations in sensory perceptions, such as smell and taste (Vromans et al., 2020).

Because every instance of cancer is unique, any interventions that are designed to lessen physical and psychological effects should be patient-specific but typically include rehabilitation, ensuring sufficient rest, focusing on key aspects such as adequate nutrition since a balanced diet can counteract treatment-related side effects and help protect the body from the harmful effects of treatment. In addition, appropriate physical exercise, proper hydration and medications can all help alleviate the physical and psychological effects caused by cancer treatments (Lee et al., 2018).

Factors that contribute to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans

It is a harsh reality that far too many Americans engage in lifestyles that contribute to the yearly incidence and mortality rates attributable to cancer. Indeed, despite incessant warnings for decades and a growing body of research and confirms its connection to cancer, about one in 12 adult Americans aged 18 years and over (around 11.5%) still smoke tobacco (Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults in the United States, 2023). In addition, even more (42.4%) of American adults are severely obese (Overweight & Obesity Statistics, 2023) and the American population is rapidly aging, all of which contribute to the persistent incidence and mortality rates caused by cancer (Age and Cancer Risk, 2023). Finally, Americans of all ages and genders are subjected to a wide range of carcinogens in the environment, including microplastics that are now ubiquitous.

Resources provided by the American Cancer Society (ACS) for education and support

Besides a free hotline that is serviced 24 hours a day which provides information concerning specific cancers, treatment options and common side effects, the ACS also offers referrals to community-based resources such as support groups and social services. In addition, the ACS also provides a wide range of educational materials in print form that are designed for health care professionals as well as guidance concerning securing transportation to and from health care services together with any lodging requirements, pain management, smoking cessation programming, wigs and prostheses and financial assistance programs for cancer sufferers (How We're Providing Support, 2023).

Depending on the individual patient’s circumstances, some of the services that ACS provides that a nurse could recommend for these patients include smoking cessation since this is a leading preventable cause of cancer, pain management services since this is a major coping challenge for many cancer patients, and community-based social support groups and services. The recommendation of these ACS services is congruent with the five phases that demonstrate the delivery of holistic and patient-focused care (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation)

How an interdisciplinary research approach builds on the foundational nursing knowledge related to cancer research

Advances in medical research are frequently the result of interdisciplinary approach (Smye & Frangi, 2021). In this context, a research approach that combines an array of disciplines including liberal arts, science studies, mathematics, social sciences, and physical sciences builds on nursing knowledge related to cancer because “complex problems are not amenable to single-discipline investigation [and] discoveries are more likely at the boundaries between disciplines, and single disciplines derive a general benefit from engagement with those outside their field” (Smye & Frangi, 2021, p. 218). In other words, the foundations of nursing can benefit from the insights and knowledge provided by other disciplines, including the humanities.

Conclusion

The nursing process employs a systematic approach to formulate accurate diagnoses and tailor patient-centered care plans, making it particularly suitable for use with cancer patients. The research was consistent in showing that various types of cancer still represent a major public health threat despite decades of progress in their diagnosis and treatment. The research also showed that some of the complications caused by cancer and its treatments include cachexia, cancer-related fatigue, and severe pain. Some of the strategies that were identified to alleviate these effects included personalized interventions, nutrition management, exercise, and medications. In addition, the factors that contribute to the annual incidence and mortality rates of different cancers in the United States included unhealthy lifestyles, aging demographics, and environmental carcinogen exposure. Finally, the American Cancer Society’s resources for education and support are described and ACS's services that align with the holistic care approach's five phases: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation are discussed.