Paper Discussing The Diagnosis, Treatment, And Care Of Cancer (Research Paper Sample)

Care of Cancer
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Institutional Affiliation
Care of Cancer
Introduction
As one of the leading causes of death in the USA, cancer has become a serious cause of concern for many. Over the years, the screening and diagnosis approaches of cancer have significantly improved. This has contributed immensely to the increased survival rates of cancer patients (Wyatt & Hulbert-Williams, 2015). Along the same vein, it is important to understand the importance of care to cancer patients. Considered a terminal illness, it is vital that cancer patients are provided with adequate care that meets all their needs while preparing them for all possibilities that they face (Earle & Neville, 2004). This paper looks to explore how care of cancer is administered and how it contributes to the recovery and healing of patients.
Diagnosis and Staging
The diagnosis of cancer is not usually a one-approach process. This is often as a result of the serious nature of the disease, and the need for physicians to be sure that their diagnosis is accurate. Considering these facts, physicians rely on a number of methods to diagnose cancer. The first and most common is the physical examination (Adler & Page, 2008). During this process, physicians typically examine the body for lumps, organ enlargements, or changes in skin color, which can typically indicate the presence of cancerous cells. Secondly, physicians will also conduct laboratory tests on blood and urine to ascertain the presence of cancer. A complete blood count is one of the common tests performed on blood to investigate the presence of abnormal types or numbers of white blood cells (Wyatt & Hulbert-Williams, 2015). In addition to these two approaches, imaging tests and biopsies are also significantly relied upon in diagnosing cancer. Imaging tests often involve ultrasounds, x-rays, bone scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, PET (positron emission tomography) scans, and CT (computerized tomography) scans. These tests allow for the examination of internal organs and bones to determine the presence of cancer (Wyatt & Hulbert-Williams, 2015). Biopsies are perhaps the most effective approach to diagnosing cancer. A physician collects a sample of cells and tests them in the laboratory. In most instances, the presence of disorganized and disorderly cells of varying sizes indicates the presence of cancer.
Staging is the process by which physicians determine the severity of cancer based on how much it has spread to other parts of the patient’s body (Pravinkumar, Rathi & Haque, 2016). It is instrumental in developing an appropriate course of treatment for the patient. In determining the stage of cancer, physicians typically rely on the TNM system. This system examines the extent to which the tumor has grown (T), the degree and extent of the cancer’s spread to the lymph nodes (N), and finally the existence of metastasis (M) which examines the spread of the cancer to other body parts (Pravinkumar et al., 2016). From these factors, cancer can be staged. The stage is usually assigned in Roman numerals, ranging from I-IV.
Treatment
When it comes to cancer treatment, physicians typically recommend treatment options based on the type and stage of the diagnosed cancer (Kirk, 2004). However, it is important to note that there are several options available to patients. Some of the most commonly used treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. In addition to these methods, immunotherapy, stem cell transplants, targeted drug therapy, and hormone therapy are also used as treatment approaches to cancer (Earle & Neville, 2004). While these approaches provide some form of variety in terms of treatment approaches, they are not exhaustive. As such, research and clinical trials are consistently undertaken in the hopes of developing new or more effective ways of treating cancer.
In matters of cancer treatment, there are some core objectives that physicians look to accomplish. The first and most important is to cure cancer, thus allowing the patient to resume normal life (Adler & Page, 2008). The second is providing primary treatment. The core objective of primary treatment is to either kill cancer cells or completely eliminate the cells from the body. This usually involves surgery. The third objective is to provide adjuvant treatment. This form of treatment is aimed at removing any cancer cells that may still remain the body after receiving primary treatment (Adler & Page, 2008). Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiation therapy are commonly used in administering this form of treatment. The last, and also one of the most important, is palliative treatment. The treatments undertaken in palliative treatment and care are purposely aimed at reducing the symptoms, signs, or side effects of cancer (Pravinkumar et al., 2016). Medication is usually used in this respect. However, it can also be used in combination with any other approach to bolster the effectiveness of the palliative treatment and care provided.
Complications
There are numerous complications that may arise from cancer, and this is one of the reasons why cancer is a deadly disease. One of the worst complications is cancer that metastasizes to other body parts. As a result of this spreading, patients are often subjected to a significant amount of turmoil physically, emotionally, and financially (Kirk, 2004). They are also forced to consider new treatment approaches in addition to the ones that they are currently using, and this significantly worsens their situation (Pravinkumar et al., 2016). Another detrimental complication is the recurrence of cancer. This often follows a period of remission. The return of cancer imposes significant stresses on patients and their families as they are forced to relive the ordeal that they went through the first time they were diagnosed with cancer (Wyatt & Hulbert-Williams, 2015). The presence of cancerous cells that remained after treatment can easily result in the return of a more aggressive cancer, which can take a significant toll on the patient (Pravinkumar et al., 2016). Additionally, it results in significant emotional, physical, and financial stresses on the patients and their families, making it one of the most difficult complications to endure (Higginson & Evans, 2010). Third, the development of paraneoplastic syndrome is another dangerous complication that may arise from cancer (Wyatt & Hulbert-Williams, 2015). This syndrome causes the immune system of the patient to respond unusually or abnormally to cancer by attacking healthy body cells. Some of the effects of this syndrome include loss of coordination, seizures, sensory loss in limbs, and even difficulty walking and maintaining balance. Fortunately, this complication is quite rare in occurrence.
Approach to Care
Based on the above information, it is clear that cancer takes its toll on the patient as well as on their loved ones. Similarly, it has numerous effects and complications that only stand to complicate the treatment of cancer further. As a result, approach to the care of cancer is a process that demands strong collaborative efforts from all stakeholders in order to develop a holistic approach that meets all the patient’s and their loved ones’ needs (Surbone, Baider, Weitzman, Brames, Rittenberg, & Johnson, 2009). For maximum effectiveness, this care should be provided from the point of diagnosis and the start of treatment (Adler & Page, 2008). Some of the goals that care of cancer should fulfill include providing guidance to patients and their families in making treatment-related decisions, providing support to the patient to satisfy their emotional, spiritual, and practical needs and concerns, and even providing support to family members and caregivers (Higginson & Evans, 2010; Kirk, 2004). Similarly, it is vital in helping patients understand the goals of treatment and treating some of the symptoms that may arise from cancer.
Achieving these goals is a task that requires a collaborative effort. Some of the stakeholders in the care of cancer include the oncologist, nurses, and palliative medicine physicians (Higginson & Evans, 2010). These primary members are instrumental in guiding and executing the treatment process (Kirk, 2004). They will work together to administer treatment, prescribe appropriate medication to combat some of the side effects and symptoms, as well as help in pain management and where possible, conduct home visits to administer palliative care.
In addition to these professionals, there are other important contrib...