CNA341 Improving Health and Nursing Practice through Translational Research

Running head: CAN 341
Bowel Cancer
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

CNA 3411
Identified health priority and its relevance- The Australian government has identified
nine National Health Priority Areas (NHPA) that focus on namely, cardiovascular health,
cancer, mental health, diabetes mellitus, asthma, and injuries (Aph.gov.au 2018). Of these
indicators, bowel cancer has been selected as the key issue to be discussed in this assignment.
Reports indicate that every year, an estimated 125,000 deaths are recorded in Australia, with
an ever increasing rate of male mortality. The primary objective of the National Health and
Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is the leading body that promote the maintenance and
development of individual and public health standards, while amalgamating together advice
development and research funding. Owing to the fact that a well formulated and extensive
research is considered crucial for clinical decision making, the essay will focus on evidence
based practice, in relation to bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer, also referred to as colorectal cancer refers to the development of
cancerous cells from the colon or the rectum. Presence of cancer refers to the abnormal
proliferation of cells that have the ability to spread or invade to different parts of the human
body (Peacock et al. 2013). Wong et al. (2013) opined that some of the common risk factors
that are found to result in an increased susceptibility of bowel cancer encompass smoking,
obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and dietary habits such as, consumption of processed and red
meat, and alcohol.
Bowel cancer was the third most frequently identified cancer in Australia in the year
2014. In 2014, there were an estimated 15,253 new cases of bowel cancer that were
diagnosed in Australia. In 2016, bowel cancer was also identified to be the second important
cause of cancer related death in Australia. Furthermore, there were approximately 4,326
deaths from bowel cancer in Australia, accounting for 2,411 men and 1,915 women. 15,253
new incidents of bowel cancer had been diagnosed in Australia in 2014 (Bowel-
cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au 2016). Additionally, the bowel cancer is found have a five year

CNA 3412
survival rate of 69%. Presently, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program that uses
FOBT, is freely offered to people belonging to the age group 50-74 years of age
(Cancer.org.au 2018). Besides, efforts are being taken by the government and health
department to offer the test on a free basis, every alternate year, by 2020.
Evidence-based practice in informing clinical decisions related to bowel cancer-
Evidence-based practice (EBP) encompasses the interdisciplinary approach of clinical
practice that is focused on three key principles namely, (1) clinical expertise that helps in
rapid identification of the unique state of health of all patients, their diagnosis, and the
potential advantages and risks of the proposed interventions; (2) research evidence that is best
available on the mechanism of a certain treatment; and (3) the preferences and values of the
patients (DiCenso, Guyatt and Ciliska 2014). Hence, EBP can be defined as the research
approach that focuses on the incorporation of evidences into clinical practice for improving
the health related decisions that are taken by the professionals. The primary goal of nursing
professionals is to improve and enhance the safety and health of all patients, while delivering
care services in a manner that is cost effective. This in turn helps in the improvement of
outcome of the patients, as well as the concerned healthcare system.
Clinical question- The PICO framework will be used for formulation of the research
question that is given below:
Are chemotherapy drugs effective in treating colorectal cancer?
P Patients with colorectal cancer
I Chemotherapy drugs
C Usual care
O Reduced symptoms
Search strategy- Two electronic databases namely MEDLINE and CINAHL were
used for retrieving articles relevant to the research question. The search terms were “bowel