This paper provides an overview of cancer care, beginning with patient stories that illustrate the importance of a positive outlook during treatment. It examines the major treatment modalities — surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy — and explains the multidisciplinary team approach to comprehensive cancer care. The paper then describes how cancer is diagnosed and staged, outlines key complications such as nervous system effects and paraneoplastic syndrome, and reviews common treatment side effects including fatigue, dental problems, and diabetes risk. Finally, it presents evidence-based strategies for lessening the physical and psychological burden of cancer, including emotional expression, positive thinking, and establishing daily routines.
Melanie was diagnosed with chronic lymphoma in 2010 and had multiple tumors in her body. After her chemotherapy started, her hair began to fall out, but Melanie turned that experience into something positive by cutting her long hair into a short pixie style. She maintained a positive attitude toward her treatment and disease and is now working as a full-time indoor cycling instructor. Valerie is another cancer survivor who one day received a call from her doctor informing her that her test results showed she had a brain tumor. Her surgery was scheduled for the very next day, which left her devastated by the unexpected news. Yet being sick ultimately proved transformative — she began helping people with weight problems so that she could guide them toward healthier lives. Valerie established Le Boot Camp, and despite fighting cancer, she launched her website and started working on her project. Today she has more than a million subscribers, including Hollywood actors. She advises people to project strength and happiness even when sick, as it attracts positive energy that helps in the fight against cancer (Andersen, 2014).
Globally, over two hundred different types of cancer have been identified. Cancers are treated in a variety of ways, and quite a number are curable; others can be managed by relieving symptoms through different types of medication and therapies. Several factors influence a cancer's prognosis, including early diagnosis and management. However, despite the existence of treatment for different types of cancers, there is no single therapy, drug, or treatment applicable to all forms of the disease (CCSA, n.d.). The main methods for cancer treatment are:
These treatment options can be used in isolation or in combination. Cancer affects more than just physical well-being. It can also cause anxiety and depression for the patient, as well as anxiety for family members. Consequently, supportive care may be needed to address the spiritual, mental, physical, and social needs that the disease can bring about (CCSA, n.d.).
Multidisciplinary care involves different healthcare professionals with relevant skills coming together to form a team and offer the patient comprehensive care and treatment. The team considers the health, physical, social, and clinical care needs of the cancer patient and develops a coordinated care plan (CCSA, n.d.). Factors that may determine the constituents of the care plan include:
A team approach helps reduce the time wasted in referring the patient to other specialists. It also helps improve the patient's psychological well-being (CCSA, n.d.).
To diagnose cancer, a physician will examine the affected tissue under a microscope. It is therefore in a patient's best interest to seek screening promptly if cancer is suspected. If the microscopic examination suggests the cells may be cancerous, the physician proceeds to conduct a biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of a piece of tissue to determine whether a tumor is present and whether it is benign or malignant (NPAIHB, n.d.). Tissue can be removed through endoscopy, needle biopsy, or surgical biopsy (NPAIHB, n.d.).
Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, the next phase is cancer staging. Cancer staging is the examination of the development and size of the cancerous tissue and its spread to neighboring or distant tissues and organs, in order to describe the severity and extent of the cancer. Staging is important for sharing information among members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team and among researchers. It is based on knowledge of how a cancer progresses; however, different types of cancers grow and spread in different ways. Fortunately, a variety of diagnostic technologies are now available for staging cancers (IPHI, 2013). The stages of cancer are:
Brain and nervous system complications: Cancerous tumors can grow and begin pressing on neighboring nerves, which could result in pain or loss of function in a body part. Brain cancer in particular can cause stroke-like symptoms and headaches.
Unusual immune system reactions to cancer: In certain instances, the immune system may respond to cancerous cells by attacking healthy cells. This type of reaction is referred to as paraneoplastic syndrome and can produce effects such as seizures and difficulty walking (MayoClinicStaff, 2015).
Nausea: Certain cancers can result in nausea.
Diarrhea: Cancer and cancer treatment can interfere with normal bowel movements, causing constipation or diarrhea (MayoClinicStaff, 2015).
"Nervous system, immune, and digestive complications"
"Fatigue, dental, diabetes, and chemical side effects"
"Coping strategies for emotional and physical wellbeing"
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