Nursing Process: Approach to Care

Cancer Diagnosis 

Cancer diagnosis during its early stages is recommended because it provides the best possibility for a cure (Swann et al., 2018). One of the methods used to diagnose cancer is a physical examination. A doctor uses his hands to feel the patient's body for lumps that might indicate tumors. Abnormalities such as organ enlargement and skin color changes can indicate cancer. Laboratory tests, which include blood and urine tests, can be used to identify anomalies that indicate the presence of the disease. The third method is imaging tests, such as CT scan, MRIs, and PET scans, which allow the doctor to use non-invasive techniques to examine a person’s internal organs and bones. The latter method is called biopsy, and it involves collecting cell samples for laboratory testing (Swann et al., 2018). Sample collection can be done in many ways depending on the location and the type of cancer that is being diagnosed. It is believed that biopsy is the only method to diagnose the disease definitively. 

Cancer Staging 

After being diagnosed, the doctor has to find out the extent to which cancer has spread in your body. The cancer stage is then used to determine your treatment options and the possibility of a cure. Staging procedures include laboratory tests and imaging tests, such as X-rays. Doctors often use the TMN system to stage the disease (Swann et al., 2018). T stands for the first stage, and it shows that the extent is of a primary tumor. The N score indicates a cancer extent within close lymph nodes. M stands for the metastasis stage and shows that the can has extended to distant sites, such as lymph nodes that are distant. 

Complications of Cancer 

Weight loss is one of the complications of cancer. The abnormal cell growth of cancer cells deprives healthy cells of nutrients. Treating this condition is difficult since the kind of food and number of calories taken and using artificial nutrition by connecting tubes to the veins or stomach does not affect this complication. Another complication is problems relating to the nervous system and the brain (Swann et al., 2018). Cancer cells press nearby nerves causing them pain and failure of part of the body. When cancer affects the brain, it leads to regular headaches and stroke symptoms. Cancer that reoccurs is also a risk to survivors of the disease. Therefore, they have follow-up plans that involve periodic examinations and scans months and years after treatment to detect reoccurrence. 

Side Effects of Cancer 

Side effects of cancer occur when healthy organs or tissues are affected by the treatment plan. One side effect is hair loss (alopecia), which occurs with some chemotherapy. The hair often grows back at least two months after treatment. The second problem is cancer pain. The treatment of cancer causes pain that makes it difficult to carry out normal activities and also reduces the quality of life (Swann et al., 2018). The last side effect is lymphedema, a condition that occurs after surgical removal of lymph nodes or if chemotherapy destroys lymph nodes. As a result, the lymph that might build up under the skin due to poor drainage causes swelling of the body (lymphedema). However, according to Swann et al. (2018), the psychological and physical effects of cancer and its treatment can be lessened through one of the following methods. Online support communities can be a source of learning more about the disease and connecting with other people who are affected. Social interactions can be a source of comfort and support, hence lessen the stress that comes after diagnosis and treatment. Secondly, cancer patients can maintain a healthy life routine and turn to their friends and families for support. In this way, they will feel important and fight the disease. Besides, help from health care professionals can also encourage a patient. Some organizations recommend that cancer patients go through distress and depression screening after being diagnosed and in the early treatment stages. Anxiety and depression medication can be given to those who are distressed by the disease. 

Risk Factors of Cancer 

There are four types of cancer in America that represent almost 49% of yearly cancer deaths and 50% of cancer diagnoses (Puglisi et al., 2019). The four types are lung, prostate, rectum/colon, and breast cancer. The first risk factor associated with cancer in America is Tobacco. Approximately 22% of deaths due to the disease are related to the use of tobacco. Another risk factor is other dietary and behavioral risks, which include low vegetable and fruit intake, use of alcohol, lack of physical exercise, and high BMI. Age is also a risk factor in America. Out of all Americans diagnosed with prostate cancer, 65% are older adults over 65 years old (Puglisi et al., 2019). Also, 80% of new colorectal cancer patients are between 45 and 84 years. 

American Cancer Society 

The responsibility of the American Cancer Society (ACS) is to provide support to cancer patients all over the country (Puglisi et al., 2019). The organization offers information services on its website and through its 24-7 helpline. They also have in-depth publications on patient education that anyone can easily access their online bookstore. ACS has services and programs for over 15.4 million patients and survivors to offer them emotional support and everyday help. The daily support involves rides to treatment facilities, lodging for those who live far from their treatment, personal guides, and mastectomy and hair loss products. They have an online community where people can share tips, hope, and experiences with others on the same journey (Swann et al., 2018). The ACS services that I would recommend are online community interactions and the 24-7 helpline. I recommend these three because they assist a person at a personal level, and one can relate to what is being said. 

Nursing Process 

In offering nursing care to cancer patients, a nurse should first assess the emotional and physical status of the patients, past their health practices, and history. It is a nurse's role to ensure that the patients and their families understand the disease and how it is treated (Azevedo et al., 2019). The diagnosis phase is where the nurse makes a clinical judgment about the patient's response to cancer and its treatment. A nurse should detect pain, fear, depression, and anxiety in the patient at this stage. The outcomes stage depends on what has been collected on the diagnosis and assessment steps. The nurse then plans on short and long-term goals for the patient, which includes whether the patient should be given medication for pain, anxiety, and depression. 

Subsequently, care is administered based on the outcomes. For instance, a cancer patient might be given depression drugs and pain killers. The treatment is documented in the patient’s record. 

The last stage is the evaluation process, where the nurse checks whether the medication has worked for the patient. For example, a nurse should check whether the pain has reduced, and the plan is adjusted based on this evaluation. The nurses should ensure they treat the patient with respect and dignity and allow them to participate in the treatment plan before it is administered (Azevedo et al., 2019). Also, the nurse should foster a friendship with the patient so that they promote the wellness and healing process of the patient. 

Nursing and Liberal Arts 

Having an undergraduate degree in liberal arts is essential for nurses. Studying mathematics expands the minds of nursing students to think in multiple ways (Ahtisham & Jacoline, 2015). Studying science also helps nurses to understand scientific inventions, technology, and the growing clinical knowledge that is needed in their field. Physical and social sciences challenge them to appreciate their position in society and understand their future practice. Nursing students in a liberal arts school are focused on knowing their weaknesses and strengths and how they can build on them. Besides, they also learn how their actions and feelings affect patient care. 

References 

Ahtisham, Y., & Jacoline, S. (2015). Integrating Nursing Theory and Process into Practice; Virginia's Henderson Need Theory.  International Journal of Caring Sciences , 8(2). 

Azevedo, O. A., Guedes, É. S., Araújo, S. A. N., Maia, M. M., & Cruz, D. A. L. M. D. (2019). Documentation of the nursing process in public health institutions.  Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP , 53, e03471-e03471. 

Puglisi, L. B., Winkelman, T. N., Gross, C. P., & Wang, E. A. (2019). Cancer Prevalence Among Adults with Criminal Justice Involvement from a National Survey.  Journal of General Internal Medicine , 1-2. 

Swann, R., McPhail, S., Witt, J., Shand, B., Abel, G. A., Hiom, S., ... & National Cancer Diagnosis Audit Steering Group. (2018). Diagnosing cancer in primary care: Results from the National Cancer Diagnosis Audit.  Br J Gen Pract , 68(666), e63-e72.