Approach to Cancer Care

This report comprehensively explores the approach to cancer care, starting with diagnosis and staging. It details various diagnostic methods, including lab tests, imaging procedures (CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs, PET scans, and biopsies), and the TNM staging system. The report then discusses common complications associated with cancer, such as secondary neoplasms and PTSD, and the side effects of cancer treatments, including anemia, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Finally, it highlights methods to lessen both the physical and psychological effects of cancer and its treatment, emphasizing the role of healthcare professionals and family caregivers. The report concludes by summarizing the key aspects of cancer care, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate staging, effective treatment, and supportive care to improve patient outcomes.

Running Head: APPROACH TO CARE FOR CANCER
Approach To Care For Cancer

APPROACH TO CARE FOR CANCER 1
Introduction
The symptoms for cancer need to be closely examined to determine cancer. The doctor can well
guide and tell based on the symptoms and signs in case the same are being associated to cancer.
The crucial diagnosis and staging can aid in learning while giving the understanding linked to the
complications that can arise for patients undergoing cancer treatment (Mottet et al., 2017, pp.
620). There are various methods that can aid in the reduction of physical and psychological
effects being linked to cancer. The significance lies in the comprehension of treatment and the
side effects too.
Diagnosis & Staging of Cancer
The cause for cancer is attributed to various symptoms. It can also be the case that the symptoms
are not a result of cancer, rather other benign tumors that can form the cause. The diagnosis for
cancer is based on the screening tests that are conducted. There would be certain symptoms that
are indicative of cancer too.
The lab tests, procedures and tests done can point out towards the diagnosis. It’s crucial to
consider the lab tests pertain to body fluids, urine and blood. The same is helpful for the doctors
to well diagnose. Based on the various lab tests and imaging procedures encompassing the CT
scan, Ultrasound, MRI and Nuclear scan, the diagnosis can be done for cancer (Navani et al.,
2015). The various imaging procedures can be helpful. Basis the CT scan, the detailed images
pertaining to the body are taken and highlighting the areas in the body can be well done with the
use of dye.
The PET scan also aids in the diagnosis for cancer. The machine assists in the 3-dimensional
pictures which clearly show the tracer collects being in the body. The functioning of the organs

APPROACH TO CARE FOR CANCER 2
and tissues and the manner they are functioning can be well determined with the PET scan
(Heidenreich et al., 2014). The biopsy is helpful in diagnosis too. The procedure involves the
removal of sample of tissue.
A pathologist is able to determine the presence of cancerous cells in the tissue through a
microscopic view of the same. The biopsy can be performed through the needle or with the help
of surgery or endoscopy being conducted.
Staging is a manner in which the size of cancer or to the extent it has spread can be well
determined. In the diagnosis with the screening procedures or through the aids of biopsy
conducted, doctors are able to determine the spread (Navani et al., 2015). The system of TNM
tends to be effective in the analysis.
While the abbreviation denotes Tumour, Node and Metastasis, the staging number from 1-4 are
indicative in cancer. The stage one signifies the extent to a smaller region and relatively smaller
size. The stage two is bigger in size and extent as compared to stage one (Mottet et al., 2017, pp.
620). The stage two also remarks that the cancer cells have been spread into the various lymph
nodes which are closer to tumor.
A larger size is denoted from the stage three and this is when the spread takes place in the
adjoining tissue (Navani et al., 2015). The last stage or stage four does indicate that another body
organ has been impacted due to cancer and the stage is also remarked as metastatic cancer or
being secondary in nature.
Complication in Cancer

APPROACH TO CARE FOR CANCER 3
There are various complications that can arise in cancer. The significant second neoplasm can
take place amongst patients. The abnormal growth in the tissue tends to be complicated (Gong et
al., 2016). This class of cancerous tumor can be offshoot from a primary form of tumor or a
tumor that is unrelated and tends to increase the frequency with the linked treatment of
chemotherapies and radiotherapies.
The PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder is a significant complication witnessed amongst
cancer patients. The clinical interviews and the researches well support that the stress worsens
with the initial diagnosis (Chung et al., 2016). The weakened immune system is a result of
chemotherapy and other treatments being carried out. This leads to rise in the infection and can
lead to sepsis too.
Side Effects of Treatment
The side effects being the problems associated with the treatment of cancer are associated to
anemia condition that results in shortening of breath amongst patients and feeling lightheaded
(Savard et al., 2015; Miller et al., 2016; Ahmadzadehfar et al., 2015).
The fatigue and tiredness tends to increase too in case of cancer patients undergoing treatments.
The loss of appetite is also associated as a significant effect based on the treatment that takes
place in case of cancer. It is difficult to eat and swallowing is also difficult for the patients
(Savard et al., 2015). As a side effect of nausea and vomiting condition, which is difficult to
subdue, the loss in appetite enhances the weakness in body.
Methods To Lessen Physical and Psychological Effects

APPROACH TO CARE FOR CANCER 4
It is crucial that the physical effects based on the cancer treatments are being reduced amongst
the patients suffering from cancer (Savard et al., 2015; Miller et al., 2016; Ahmadzadehfar et al.,
2015). It is essential that the side effects in case of cancer case to case is being well determined
by the practitioner and nurses to aid in reducing the effect (Navani et al., 2015). The primary
family caregivers play a significant role too in reducing the physical and psychological effects.
With the consideration of alternative medicine too, the psychological effects can be considerably
reduced.
Conclusion
There are significant methods which can aid in the reduction of physical and psychological
effects being associated to cancer. The diagnosis for cancer lies on the screening tests which are
being conducted. With respect to the symptoms that are indicative of cancer, the lab tests along
with procedures and tests done can indicate towards the diagnosis. It’s important to consider the
lab tests related to body fluids, urine and blood. Staging is considered to be an effective way in
which the size of cancer and to the extent it has spread can be known. With the screening
procedures and the biopsy conducted, doctors can determine the spread. The abnormal growth in
the tissue can create complications. This class of cancerous tumor is the offshoot from a primary
form of tumor. It can also be the tumor that is unrelated. This does tend to enhance the frequency
with the linked treatment of chemotherapies and radiotherapies. The role of primary family
caregivers aids in reducing the physical and psychological effects.

APPROACH TO CARE FOR CANCER 5
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