Cancer Research Paper Health, Medicine, Nursing Essay

Cancer
Name
Institution
Cancer
Cancer is a medical condition that has different symptoms. Cancer entails an abnormal cell growth and is also known as malignancy. There are over 100 forms of cancer, ranging from prostate cancer, brain cancer, ovarian cancer, mouth cancer, skin cancer, and throat cancer. Symptoms also depend on the type of cancer. A large number of these symptoms do not arise as a result of cancer, but due to other issues and benign tumors (Quinn & Rakha, 2018). If the symptoms last for a long time, then a doctor will conduct tests and physical exam to determine the cause of the symptoms. This paper focuses on cancer diagnosis and staging, complications, incidences, and approaches to care while relying on the application of the nursing process.
Diagnosis and Staging of Cancer
Cancer is diagnosed by first conducting a screening test or establishing that the person has symptoms that suggest they have cancer. A physical scan can also be conducted, which can be used to detect some types of cancer like rectum, prostate, mouth, and skin. Diagnosis entails collecting information about the patient’s family and personal medical history and then conducting a medical exam. The doctor can also order other kinds of tests, such as imaging or scans, lab tests, and other procedures (Quinn & Rakha, 2018). Imaging tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scans, fiber-optic endoscopy, ultrasound, nuclear scan (bone scan, PET scan), and X-rays can help to establish the size and location of cancer. A biopsy will also be necessary to confirm if cancer exists (Rami-Porta et al., 2017). Lab tests are the most common since they determine the quantity of certain elements in the body, which acts as a sign of cancer. The tests will be carried out on urine, blood, and tissue samples for tumor markers.
Once the diagnosis results reveal than cancer exists, then other tests can be carried out to establish the specific details about the disease, stage of cancer, and to help come up with a treatment. This is a follow-up phase that entails staging (Rami-Porta et al., 2017). Staging means the extent of cancer, such as if it has spread to other tissues and the size of the tumor. There are several staging approaches which focus on information about the position of the tumor, cell type, tumor grade (how the cancer cell looks, grows, and spreads), whether cancer has affected another part of the body or nearby lymph nodes, and the size of the tumor.
The most common cancer staging approach is TNM. T denotes the size of the cancerous tumor that is responsible for the disease. N means the lymph nodes that have cancer and relies on their number (Rami-Porta et al., 2017). M means metastasized and seeks to establish if cancer has developed to other parts of the body (Rami-Porta et al., 2017). The TNM system also relies on specific numbers that provide additional information about cancer. TX means that it is difficult to establish the size the main tumor, while T0 means the primary tumor is not located. T1, T2, and T3 refer to the magnitude and size of the tumor. A higher number suggests that the primary tumor is larger or has affected nearby tissues (Rami-Porta et al., 2017). NX means that cancer located in the lymph nodes is not quantifiable, while N0 means the lymph nodes near the infected tissue or organ do not have any cancer. N1, N2, and N3 mean the site and amount of lymph nodes that have cancer, and a more significant number suggests that cancer exists in more lymph nodes (Rami-Porta et al., 2017). MX suggests the metastasis cannot be determined, while M1 means the disease has affected other regions of the body, while M0 means it has not affected other areas of the body.
The TNM system offers a specific description of cancer, even though it is also grouped into several stages. The first one is stage 0, whereby the abnormal cells exist, but cancer has not affected nearby tissues. It is identified as carcinoma in situ and is not cancer, even though it can evolve to become cancerous (Rami-Porta et al., 2017). Stage I involves a small tumor that has not affected nearby tissues or lymph nodes and is also known as an early stage of the disease. Stage II and Stage II specify cancers that have also affected nearby tissues or even lymph nodes. However, they have not impacted other organs and tissues of the body (Rami-Porta et al., 2017). Stage IV suggests that the disease has begun affecting other parts of the body or organs. It is a metastatic or advanced cancer. In some instances, a doctor can restage the disease if treatment is working.
Complications of Cancer, Side Effects of Treatment, and Methods to Lessen Physical and Psychological Effects
Several complications and side effects arise during the treatment of cancer. Some of the common complications are vomiting and nausea. Another complication is a decline in the person’s nutrition state since they will become thinner and might look unhealthy die to the medications. The issue is further aggravated by vomiting, which makes it harder to eat healthy foods that would help the body. A complication also arises from the negative impact on the individual’s physical and mental state (Rami-Porta et al., 2017). The disease can make a person very stressed and discouraged, and it can negatively affect the person mentally. A complication also arises from the pain that is caused by the disease. This can be due to the growing tumor that affects nearby organs and tissues, such as when a brain tumor starts limiting space and pushing against other tissues while it develops.
The side effects that arise from treatment include fatigue, neutropenia, vomiting, hair loss, appetite loss, and nausea, which arise due to chemotherapy and other drugs used during treatment. Radiation therapy can also result in other problems, such as increased skin sensitivity and headaches. If the person undergoes surgery, then they could suffer from impaired healing or pain. Some of the approaches to reduce psychological and physical effects involves using prescribed medications for pain (Rami-Porta et al., 2017). Another approach includes cancer education to help the patient learn more about their condition and how they can cope. Social support is also beneficial since it helps the individual share their experiences with others who have cancer, and it can help deal with psychological stress. Talk therapy and counseling can also help the individual to understand their condition and to cope with the effects (Rami-Porta et al., 2017). Exercises and training in stress management, meditation, and relation are also beneficial to help the person recover quickly.
Factors Contributing to Incident and Mortality Rates of Various Cancers in Americans
Various variables contribute to the annual mortality and incident rat...