Nursing approach to care

Cancer Care
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Introduction
Nursing is an important facet in the health industry. Nurses perform various functions depending with area of specialization. This paper talks about the roles played by nurses in caring for cancer patients. Pediatric oncology nursing is concerned with treating young children and adolescents. As the future generation, their health is of primary concern. It is important for nurses to make sure that they are physically and emotionally fit to actively engage in beneficial activities and be a positive influence on their colleagues. Pediatric oncology is an exciting and challenging field in nursing as nurses learn to take care of children with tumors that sometimes develop into cancer. It is also a rewarding career.
Cancer is presently one of the most fatal diseases. This is because it has no cure and besides the many forms, it continues to evolve, and one can end up with many forms of cancer. This is attributed to the environmental conditions children are exposed to and the kinds of food they eat. Cancer patients undergo a lot of painful and stressful conditions even as they have to make decisions regarding their health. Adults feel immeasurable levels of stress and one can only imagine how much more children undergo. The professional nurse is therefore supposed to be equipped with skills that will enable such children receive the best care in order to live normal lives like their peers.
In mid twentieth century, cancer had emerged as a new research area and the major form of treating the condition was through surgery. The responsibilities of the nurses at this time were limited as they only dealt with taking care of the surgical patients and assisting their families cope with the situation (Branicki & Adem, 2009). With the advancement in the treatment for cancer through chemotherapy and radiation, nurses wanted to be more involved in the care of the cancer patients. The National Cancer Act in the 1970’s enabled nurses in the U.S to be actively engaged in the cancer program. As they could learned how to reduce the incidence and the spread of the disease, patients improved and the role of nurses was acknowledged in this area of study. Oncology nursing has developed over the years so as to address the needs of cancer patients in response to their care, (Eiser, 2004). Nurses are therefore not only taught how to care for the patients but their families too.
Brain tumors
Brain tumors can be very fatal when proper care is not administered to the patients. This is worse in children as they are prone to various disabilities, which can impair the functions of the brain, their sight, hearing, movement as well as their personalities (Pinkerton et al, 2007). Understanding the dangers brain cancer can cause is important as it will aid in supporting the patients and their families during the treatment process. For this reason, specialized nurses are able to make informed decisions as well as ensure the physical and psychological progress of their patients is enhanced.
Ewing’s sarcoma family of tumors is common in children. These tumors affect the bone and soft tissues that have similar biological composition. It is a primary bone cancer in children as it comprises 3% of pediatric malignancies (Tomlinson & Kline, 37). Osteosarcoma is a common form of bone cancer in children. Exposure to the disease without proper form of medical care can lead to deformation of the limbs as the long bones are affected.
Surgical oncology
Surgical oncology is the specialty field that deals with treatment of patients with solid tumors. Surgery is used to treat children with brain tumors, soft tissues cancers, skin cancers, and central nervous system tumors among other forms of cancer. Though less surgery is practiced nowadays on cancer patients, it usually gives children a high chance to be cured. Surgical oncology nurses assist in planning, implementing, educating and offering support throughout the surgical process (Hawks, 2006). In addition to their skills, nurses need to be conversant with treatments such as chemotherapy, gene therapy and radiation treatment.
Radiation and chemotherapy
Radiation therapy is used to aid in cancer treatment by exposing the patient to ionized radiation so as to control malignant cells. It is also used to prevent the occurrence of certain ailments that can worsen the patient’s condition. Surgery is important in conditions such as severe eye complications, severe complication affecting joints and tendons and preparation of the body for bone marrow transplants among others. Chemotherapy on the other hand entails the use of chemicals to treat certain diseases by killing cells. This will entail taking various medications that most of the time have severe side effects on the patients.
Children who undergo chemotherapy usually have a rough time in dealing with the situation (Tomlinson & Kline, 37). For this reason, nurses have to be skilled in advising the children on importance of treatment and preparing them psychologically for what they will go through. They also support and encourage them throughout the process while making sure that they are not adversely affected by the treatment.
Palliative care and after care
Cancer patients are the most in palliative care. Palliative healthcare concerns managing and probably lessening the symptoms of the sickness in order to enhance the child’s quality of life (Ferrell & Coyle, 2006). Post care for healing patients is required, because this confirms that the whole medication proces...