Processes surrounding mining of uranium are affiliated to a wide range of probable adverse health risks. These risks are admissible to individuals involved occupationally at certain levels of mining and processing of uranium. Exposure to such radioactive materials as radon decay products poses as the greatest health risk related to uranium mining. Radon radioactive decay products are strongly linked to lung cancer (Kreuzer, 2015). During the 10 years Kevin worked at the nuclear power plant, it is possible that he was exposed to radon either through a cut on the skin, inhalation or ingestion thus becoming at risk of lung cancer over the years.
Most individuals with small-cell lung cancer do not exhibit symptoms until cancer has spread. A pathologist can find cancer cells mixed with mucus, a test referred to as sputum cytology. A bronchoscopy or biopsy are done if sputum cytology fails to detect cancer cells. Imaging tests are further done to indicate lesions on the lungs that are otherwise not detectable in an x-ray, as well as show whether cancer has spread (Reck, 2017). Some of the symptoms of small-cell lung cancer are coughing, shortness of breath, loss of appetite leading to weight loss and weakness and fatigue. After the diagnosis is complete, patients are put under treatment. Current treatment options of small-cell lung cancer, however, do not cure cancer as it is the most aggressive form of cancer (Byers, 2015). It is, however, advisable for a patient to take part in the clinical trials (Hirsch, 2016) done to improve treatment for all stages of small-cell lung cancer.
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Although not entirely, it is possible that Kevin's anorexic state developed due to an accelerated waste of skeletal muscle due to a counter inflammatory of lung cancer (Byers, 2015). Cancer patients experience nutritional deficiencies throughout the disease and treatment process, therefore, well-nourished patients have an increased response to treatment as compared to malnourished individuals. During diagnosis, nutrition screening, assessment, and management are done and continued throughout the treatment to increase patient tolerance of the treatment. Travel services are also offered to help patients and caregivers arrange for both short and long term transportation and accommodation.
References
Kreuzer, M., Fenske, N., Schnelzer, M., & Walsh, L. (2015). Lung cancer risk at low radon exposure rates in German uranium miners. British journal of cancer , 113 (9), 1367.
Reck, M., & Rabe, K. F. (2017). Precision diagnosis and treatment for advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. New England Journal of Medicine , 377 (9), 849-861.
Hirsch, F. R., Suda, K., Wiens, J., & Bunn Jr, P. A. (2016). New and emerging targeted treatments in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. The Lancet , 388 (10048), 1012-1024.
Byers, L. A., & Rudin, C. M. (2015). Small cell lung cancer: where do we go from here?. Cancer , 121 (5), 664-672.
