Cancer is a much talked about disease although few understand its prevalence. According to NIH (2018), 1,735,350 new persons were diagnosed with cancer in the US alone. For one, the diagnosis of cancer involves various forms which include a physical exam, laboratory tests, imaging tests, and Biopsy (Hamilton, 2010). The processes which range from physically checking a tumor for cancer to the biopsy which involves conducting tests on cells is necessary to establish the presence or absence of cancer. Admittedly, the stages of cancer also provide much light to the process. This is done through the TNM system which is the most common form of identifying cancer stages. It is crucial that the society understands that cancer patients are important and it is their responsibility to work hand in hand with medical teams to ensure that the physiological and psychological side effects that result from cancer complications are reduced or eradicated in totality.
Diagnosis and Staging of Cancer
Diagnosis of Cancer
The diagnosis of cancer is one of the most vital steps in identifying whether an individual has the ailment or not. It is through a diagnosis that one can plan a medical path to cope or cure the disease. Some of the common forms of diagnosis of cancer are a physical exam, laboratory tests, imaging tests, Biopsy (Hamilton, 2010). The physical exam is one that is conducted by the doctor and mostly occurs after the patient recognizes lumps in a part of the body that may indicate cancer (Welch, & Black, 2010). Such lumps are crucial for earlier identification as the doctor can determine whether they should be subjected to further tests for clarification.
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The next form of diagnosis involves laboratory tests which include blood and urine tests (Welch & Black, 2010). Such tests help in identification of abnormalities that may indicate the presence of cancer. Imaging tests are another form of diagnosis which the expert uses to look at the internal organs and even bones (Welch & Black, 2010). Such imaging tests include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and X-ray which assists in further diagnosis that can provide surety on the existence of cancer or establish its presence if it was unknown (Welch & Black, 2010). Lastly, Biopsy proves to be the most definitive way of diagnosing cancer: It involves taking of cells for examination to determine if there is the presence of cancer (Welch & Black, 2010). The doctor may take a tissue from the part of the body that is likely to have cancer and use this for diagnosis.
Staging of Cancer
After the presence of cancer has been ensured in an individual, the obvious step would be to find out whether efforts could be done to cure it or mitigate its effects. Doctors go on to identify the stage of cancer that one is in to provide a deeper understanding of the position of the patient. One of the primary ways that are used to define the cancer stages is called the TNM staging system (NIH, 2015). However, some kinds of cancer such as spinal cord and brain cancer may call for a different form of a system for clearer identification.
The letters in the TNM system have their meanings: T stands for the extent to which the primary or main tumor has spread; N is the number of lymph nodes that are infected by cancer; M refers to whether cancer has metastasized which means whether it has spread to other parts of the body (NIH, 2015).
Regarding Primary Tumor (T), there is:
TX-Primary tumor is not measurable
T0-Primary tumor was not found
T1, T2, T3, T4- Refers to the extents to which the primary tumor has spread away from its original position.
The lymph node (N) is also divided into three:
NX-The presence of cancer in the nearby lymph nodes is not measurable.
N0-Cancer in lymph nodes is absent.
N1, N2, N3-The location and number of lymph nodes that contain cancer with a higher denomination indicating a higher number of lymph nodes with cancer.
The Distance Metastasis (M) entails:
MX-The metastasis cannot be measured.
M0-Cancer has not spread to other body parts.
M1-Cancer has spread to other body parts.
Complications of Cancer And Available Treatment
Loss of Appetite
If anything, the loss of appetite is a common complication of cancer. Loss of appetite comes in where the patient eats less than normal food (American Cancer Society, n.d). Regarding cancer patients, a loss of appetite can be caused by the growth of tumor, dehydration or a change in the sense of smell or taste. Notably, much of the treatments for losses of appetite can be solved through a detailed discussion with the doctor and nutritionist who advise on the most crucial nutrients (American Cancer Society, n.d). Through this, the patient may be asked to eat small meals many times a day if they seek to be successful.
Falling
Cancer patients are at possible risk of being weak and confused. In this regard, patients may become unsteady and be at a risk of falling. Notably, cancer patients face the risk of falling at various times such as when getting out of bed and even walking. It is essential that prerequisite treatments are ensured to prevent falling. This is because frequent falling can lead to fractures which may appear normal but are detrimental to a cancer patient. If the patient falls, their caregiver should ensure that he/she is breathing, has no fractures and that they do not report abnormal pains (American Cancer Society, n.d).
Low Blood Count
As a result of many treatment plans, loss of appetite, and a growing tumor, cancer patients tend to experience a low blood count. Low blood count is dangerous in any case considering chemotherapy, which is a treatment plan for healing cancer, drains a lot of energy from the patient (American Cancer Society, n.d). To counter this, the doctor may administer medicine that will help to increase blood count. Also, being on a proper and appropriate eating plan is essential if the low blood count is to be treated.
Prostheses
Another complication of cancer occurs where a patient may have to undergo a surgery such that one of his/her limbs is removed. As explained above, cancer is diagnosed in stages and depending on the stage, it determines whether cancer can be treated. If the main tumor was in let’s say one of the limbs and there was a high risk of it to spread to other body parts, t may be necessary to remove the limbs and replace them with prostheses, which are artificial limbs that would make it appears as if the limb was never removed (American Cancer Society, n.d).
Seizures
A seizure is the uncontrollable movement of muscles (American Cancer Society, n.d). It occurs in instances of head injury, infection of fluids in the spine and brain, and even tumor in the brain or spine. If a patient gets a seizure and is injured badly, additional medication may disrupt cancer treatment. The first step in understanding how to treat seizures are to understand how it occurs. Before a seizure, the patient’s eyes start to roll back and there are jerking movements of the legs and arms (American Cancer Society, n.d). A doctor may administer a tranquilizer to calm the patient although the most crucial treatment is that their caregivers ensure that they do not get injured from seizures by keeping a close eye.
Recommendations to Address Physiological and Psychological Side Effects of Care
Noticeably, physiological/physical and psychological side effects of cancer care are inevitable. Some of the physical side effects include pain, fatigue, and sleeping problems. In all instances, it is advisable that the care is first maintained to ensure that the patient is not in a vulnerable position on their own. For example, a patient who is prone to seizures should not be allowed to go to the toilet alone. Some painkillers can be used to reduce pain. Sleeping problems can be addressed by encouraging the patient to have a peace of mind that will, in turn, relax him/her.
One of the most synonymous aspects of chemotherapy in cancer treatments is hair loss. This leads to reducing self-esteem that influences the patient’s ability to view themselves as beautiful or presentable. The family and friends of the patient should be proud of them and ensure that they believe in them. This will help to instill the much-needed confidence. Another psychological effect results from a change in body image such as becoming too thin where the patient does not find themselves to be presentable in front of their partner. This may take the effort of a spouse and psychologist who work hand in hand to encourage the patient.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cancer proves to be an otherwise dangerous disease. In the diagnosis of cancer, physical exam, laboratory tests, imaging tests, and biopsy are the pertinent tests that are used to identify whether there is a presence of cancer. After the diagnosis, it becomes necessary to find out the cancer stage of the patient. The stages of cancer which are provided by the TNM system give much light as to what extent cancer has spread in the patient’s body and what can be done to cure or mitigate its effects. It is, however, crucial to take into account the complications of cancer which include loss of appetite, falling, and seizures as well as their treatments. In the end, the family, friends, and the medical team of the patient should work hand in hand to ensure that the patient manages to outdo the physiological and psychological effects of care.
References
American Cancer Society (n.d). Managing cancer-related side effects. Retrieved from www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects.html
Hamilton, W. (2010). Cancer diagnosis in primary care. British Journal of General Practice . 60(571), pp. 121-128.
NIH (2015). Cancer staging . Retrieved from www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/staging
NIH (2018). Cancer statistics . Retrieved from www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics
Welch, H, G. & Black, W. C. (2010). Overdiagnosis in cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 102(9), pp. 605-613.
