Approach in Using the Nursing Process for Cancer Management

Cancer
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Cancer
Introduction
Cancer refers to a disease that causes body cells to grow uncontrollably and usually spread to other parts. In particular, the human body comprises trillions of cells. They multiply via a process known as cell division to form new cells that the body needs. When the cells grow old, they are damaged, and new ones take over. When the process of cell division is disrupted, it results in tumors, some of which are cancerous. Cancerous cells multiply through a process referred to as metastasis and spread to other parts of the body (National Cancer Institute, 2021). Notably, the type of cancer is determined by where the cancerous cells develop first. The various types of cancer include breast, bladder, colon, kidney, lung, liver, leukemia, pancreatic, prostate, and endometrial cancer. The paper focuses on cancer diagnosis, staging, complications, the side effects of treatment, the mortality rate of various types of cancers among Americans, and the education and support that the American Cancer Society (ACS) should provide to individuals affected by this disease. In addition, it depicts how the nursing process can provide safe and effective care for cancer patients across their life span and how undergraduate education in science studies and liberal arts contributes to the foundation of nursing knowledge and prepare caregivers to work with cancer patients.
Diagnosis and Staging to Cancer
Regular cancer screening provides the best chance for diagnosing the disease in its early stages, which facilitates effective treatment. A doctor can diagnose cancer using different approaches, including physical exams, imaging tests, laboratory tests, and biopsies. A physical exam entails feeling body areas that might have lumps, which might indicate cancer. Laboratory tests, such as blood screening, can enable a doctor to identify abnormalities that might be caused by cancer. Additionally, imaging tests might help a physician examine internal organs and bones. They might include X-rays, bone scans, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography (Stanford Health Care, 2022). A biopsy involves collecting samples of cells from a patient for testing in a laboratory. In particular, it is the most definitive way to diagnose cancer, and it shows the type and location. Once a diagnosis has been made, the doctor works to determine the stage of the disease. In particular, cancer staging is crucial since it determines the best options for treating the disease. Staging procedures and tests are done to show how cancer has spread to various body parts. Cancer stages start from 0 through IV. The higher the stage the more advanced cancer has spread.
Cancer Complications, Side Effects of Treatment, and Methods of Lessening Psychological and Physical Effects
Cancer causes abnormal cell development that divides uncontrollably and can destroy body tissues and spread to other parts of the body. Some of the complications caused by the disease include fatigue, weight changes, yellowing of the skin, persistent discomfort or indigestion, difficulty swallowing, joint pain, persistent night ...