Caring for the Cancer Patient

Cancer is a condition that can affect individuals of all ages, classes, races or gender. Cancer can occur in numerous parts of the human body. Cancer occurs when cells begin to divide unnaturally and uncontrollably. These cancer cells form a tumor in the part of the body that the cells have divided within. The early diagnosis and effective treatment of cancer can mean the difference between life and death for a person who has cancer. As cancerous cells continue to divide and grow they can spread to different parts of the body. If cancer is detected early, treatment can be provided so that the cancerous cells are removed from the body. The diagnosis and treatment of cancer will be analyzed to understand the approach to the care of cancer. 

The condition of cancer can be difficult to diagnose at an early stage as there are no symptoms at this stage. As the cancerous tumors begin to grow the patient will begin to develop symptoms. As cancer can occur in various parts of the body the symptoms of the condition are not universal and can often imitate other conditions. Cancer screenings can assist with early detection for symptoms of possible cancerous conditions. A screening can indicate that an individual may have the condition and further medical testing would be used to diagnose cancer. The medical testing can consist of biopsies, blood tests, MRI scans or X-rays. Once the patient has been diagnosed with cancer the doctor can determine the stage that they are in so as to guide treatment.

The staging of cancer determines the extent to which the cancer has spread throughout the body. Staging is an important process as it can guide what kind of treatment would work best for the patient. Staging can be different for every person as Goodwin (1986) identified. “The stage of a cancer at diagnosis is multiply determined, theoretically depending on such disparate factors as tumor biology, patient education, and physician behaviors” (Goodwin, 1986 34). The cancer stages are divided into four separate stages that indicate where the cancer has spread. An individual who has stage one cancer has tumors in one part of the body. In this stage of cancer the condition is treated the easiest as the tumor can be removed surgically. Stage two indicates that the cancer is still within one part of the body however it has spread to an advanced stage. Due to this advanced stage the cancer can no longer be treated surgically and more advanced methods of radiation or chemotherapy need to be utilized. Patients are diagnosed with stage three cancer when the cancer is still in one part of the body however it has advanced to a later stage. During this stage the condition can also be treated with radiation and chemotherapy. In stage four the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. While in this stage the cancer could be treated with the methods mentioned, the doctor may also consider that the cancer cannot be treated. Doctors may not want to put a patient through the negative side effects of cancer treatment if their prognosis is low. The patient would be allowed to live their remaining life pain free and in comfort.

A doctor would be reluctant to limit the quality of life of a patient in stage four because the side effects of cancer treatment can be debilitating. However at times doctors may not always take into account the stage a patient is in as was identified by Couto (1990). “The clinician usually learns to feel more comfortable with these drugs as he or she treats more patients, to the point where treating a cancer patient with chemotherapy will become routine practice.” (Couto, 1990 1037). As most patients receive some sort of treatment the side effects need to be understood by both the patient and doctor. Side effects of chemotherapy can include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, diarrhea and skin changes. Side effects of radiation can be similar to radiation and also include decreased sex drive or hearing loss. Side effects of surgery can include pain and infection as well as various complications that can occur during the surgery. These side effects coupled with the complications of cancer can lead to decreased quality of life for the patient.

One of the predominant complications of cancer is the weakened immune system. A patient becomes more susceptible to illnesses that can be fatal as they go through cancer treatment. The treatment for a weakened immune system can be medication and also prevention as patients will be encouraged to stay away from individuals who may be sick. Another complication of cancer can be significant weight loss. The loss can be associated with the cancer or the treatment that the patient receives. Individuals with cancer often do not have an appetite or the nausea that occurs with the treatment can make it difficult to maintain high caloric intake. The significant weight loss can result in weakness and fatigue in a patient. The treatment for the weight loss could be medication that would reduce nausea and allow a patient to eat. Constant pain is also a common complication of cancer. Portenoy (1999), found that pain can often be one of the most debilitating symptoms of cancer. “Patients with cancer have diverse symptoms, impairments in physical and psychological functioning, and other difficulties that can undermine their quality of life. If inadequately controlled, pain can have a profoundly adverse impact on the patient and his or her family.” (Portenoy, 1999 1695). The pain can occur from the symptoms of the condition and also the treatment. Pain can be managed with the use of medication and alternate techniques. 

An alternate treatment from medication management for the treatment of the physiological effects of cancer care can be medical marijuana. Although the use of medical marijuana is not legal federally, the drug has been demonstrated to be effective for cancer patients. Medical marijuana is beneficial for the treatment of nausea, pain and weight loss associated with the treatment of cancer. Medical marijuana can also slow the growth of tumors in the patient. Medical marijuana can also be used to alleviate the mood of a patient diagnosed with a terminal illness. As Love (1989), found patients are often not open with their doctors about the effects of treatment. “Nausea, hair loss, and tiredness were each experienced by more than 80% of patients. By cycle 6, 46% of patients had thoughts about quitting therapy, but only a few had told medical staff” (Love, 1989 604). They are also reluctant to discuss their use of medical marijuana for their treatment. Despite these many benefits the full extent of medical marijuana use in treatment of cancer has not been studied due to the legal and ethical issues surrounding the use of the drug. 

Not all patients are comfortable with the use of medical marijuana so other methods would need to be explored especially in the treatment of the psychological side effects of cancer. Patients can be prescribed antidepressants to relieve the depressive symptoms and anxiety that they can feel during the treatment of the condition. Therapy can also be effective with providing patients with an arena to vent and discuss the issues that they have been facing since the diagnosis of the condition. Patients can also use support groups to form relationships with others who are going through the same problems. It is important to address the psychological consequences of the cancer diagnosis as a patient who has a positive attitude can have higher success rates in treating the cancer. The emotional well-being of the patient is just as important as their physical.

The cure for cancer has been sought ever since the condition was first discovered. While some believe preventative measures such as drinking wine will lessen the risk, a search still continues for the cure. Till then, the focus can shift towards improving the quality of life of cancer patients. The physical and emotional needs of the patients need to be provided for. Through ensuring that the side effects of the cancer treatments are being addressed, cancer patients may be more inclined to follow through with treatment. The care of a patient’s well-being can determine overall success of the patient’s treatment. 

References

Couto, C. G. (1990). Management of complications of cancer chemotherapy. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice, 20(4), 1037-1053.

Goodwin, J. S., Samet, J. M., Key, C. R., Humble, C., Kutvirt, D., & Hunt, C. (1986). Stage at diagnosis of cancer varies with the age of the patient. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 34(1), 20.

Love, R. R., Leventhal, H., Easterling, D. V., & Nerenz, D. R. (1989). Side effects and emotional distress during cancer chemotherapy. Cancer, 63(3), 604-612.

Portenoy, R. K., & Lesage, P. (1999). Management of cancer pain. The lancet, 353(9165), 1695-1700.