Integrated Nursing Practice - Cancer | Question and Answer

Running head: INTEGRATED NURSING PRACTICE 1
Integrated Nursing Practice 4
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INTEGRATED NURSING PRACTICE 2
Integrated Nursing Practice 4
Question One
BreastScreen Australia program is used to foster prevention and early diagnosis of breast
cancer risk factors in the country. The program has encouraged behavioral changes to reduce the
prevalence of breast cancer (Olver & Roder, 2017, p. 2). Under this program, women aged
between the age of 50 and 74 are invited to participate in a free mammogram every two years.
The program was tailored to support and encourage lifestyle changes among individuals at risk
of getting breast cancer. Therefore, the program is serving as a prevention blueprint focusing on
the reduction of risk factors while fostering early detection and diagnosis. The government has
collaborated with partners to implement measures such as population-based screening,
community sensitization, and support programs across the groups at risk (Olver & Roder, 2017,
p. 2).
Question Two
Practitioners recommend early diagnosis and treatment of cancer to reduce the adverse
effect of the disease (Bazargan et al., 2015, p. 756). Cervical cancer and colon cancer could be
screened to facilitate early detection.
Cervical cancer could also be detected at an early stage to pave the way for immediate
treatment. Cervical cancer screening is carried out through pap tests on tissues obtained from the
cervix. Over 450,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year across the globe
(Musa et al., 2017, p. 2). Regular pap tests enhance the chances of identifying cervical cancer at
an early stage.

INTEGRATED NURSING PRACTICE 3
Another cancer that could be diagnosed at an early stage through regular screening
colorectal or colon cancer, which develops from the abnormal growth called precancerous polyps
within the colon. Screening of colon cancer could be carried out through sensitivity tests of the
stool or colon and rectum imaging or visual examination (Issa & Noureddine, 2017, p. 5087).
Question Three
Harold’s CT scan results indicated that he has lung cancer. However, several signs and
symptoms also indicate the possibility of a positive diagnosis. Harold and other patients with
lung cancer have chronic coughing and dyspnea (Lemjabbar et al., 2015, p. 201). Each of these
symptoms is associated with specific pathophysiology pathways. In many cases, lung cancer
occurs within the airways and cause extreme obstruction and enlargement of the lymph nodes.
These changes encourage the development of post-obstructive pneumonia, which leads to
persistent chronic coughing (Lemjabbar et al., 2015, p. 190). Additionally, as seen in Harold’s
case and among a significant number of patients with lung cancer, the development of dyspnea is
part of the causes of distressing experiences. Lung cancer is characterized by the development of
tumors within the central airways, which leads to occlusion. Lung parenchyma, complications
from the treatment interventions, and pleural effusion could also lead to dyspnea. Such pathways
explain why lung cancer patients experience continuous distressing symptoms over an extended
period.
Question Four
Non-Small Cells Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is categorized into three specific groups based
on the characteristics of the cancerous cells. Harold has been diagnosed with NSCLC, which
implies that his cancer could be among these three categories. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
emanates from tobacco smoking, which explains why it usually develops within the central

INTEGRATED NURSING PRACTICE 4
region of the lungs (Testa et al., p. 17). Adenocarcinoma is an NSCLC category that develops on
the outside of the lungs. The third category is the Large Cell Carcinoma (LCC), which entails
rapid and spontaneous growth of the tumor with a subsequent poor prognosis.
Since Harold has been diagnosed with NSCLC, treatment interventions and prognosis is
going to affect his quality of life. Clinical evidence ascertains that patients with NSCLC
experience distress and symptom burden, which could adversely impact the post-treatment
outcomes and symptom management (Abdel-Karim et al., 2020, p. 176). At the same time,
patients with NSCLC, as seen in Harold’s case, could achieve positive outcomes during
prognosis through social support and self-resilience. Additionally, treatment interventions will
play a key role in symptom management, which ascertains that Harold could witness reduced
symptom burden and distress as key positive indicators of quality of life among cancer patients
(Abdel-Karim et al., 2020, p. 176).
Harold lives in a rural community, which implies that as a person living with cancer, he
will face the following challenges.
i. Harold could face a challenge of access to emergency services owing to the
healthcare disparity in most rural areas. Access to emergency oncology services is
limited for cancer patients living in rural communities (Ugalde et al., 2019, p. 1).
ii. Additionally, Harold is at risk of receiving limited community-based services
such as psychosocial support from social workers.
Question Five
The prevention of healthcare-related infection is important in improving patient
outcomes. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are at a high risk of infection because of