Cancer Care

Cancer Care

Table of Content

Introduction3

Risk Factors4

Diagnosis5

Treatment6

Biographical Account of the Patient6

The hospital encounter7

Post-Diagnosis Follow-Up8

Breast Anomalies: Theories and Kathleen's Experience8

Psychological and Social Concerns of the Patient9

Recommendations for Future Care11

References13

Cancer Care

Introduction

The incidence of breast cancer is spreading throughout the world. According to breast cancer research, it is the most common cancer in women in UK. In 2008, for example over 40000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in UK alone. Management of breast cancer has become a strong challenge for the medical community. A lot of research is already underway. The subject is of particular interest to the medical community, patients and the general population.

There are three strategies that have proven effective in early detection of cancer of the breast, which are: a) clinical examination and detection of risk factors by the doctor, b) breast self-examination done by women in a systematic manner c) making the screening mammography (screening). Depending on the promotion of breast cancer information and education, timely diagnosis and proper treatment, morbidity and mortality rates of the disease could be reduced. It is very important that the general practitioner encourages every woman for having breast self-examination at prescribed intervals. If the doctors detect the disease at an early stage, it can be cured in up to 90% of cases (SR, 2005, 80).

This paper first explores the risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of options for a patient suffering from breast cancer. Further, the paper gives a reflective analysis of cancer care given to a breast cancer patient. The paper thoroughly reviews how care for the patient was given before, during and after the treatment and the related pathological considerations. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for the management of breast cancer when the treatment has been provided.

Risk Factors

For proper diagnosis and care, practitioners need to be aware of the risk factors of the disease. The presence of two or more risk factors increases the likelihood of developing the disease. The most important are:

Early menstruation (i.e. before age 12)

Older age at time of first pregnancy (34 years) or not women who have never given birth

Personal history of breast cancer or benign (not cancerous) breast reports (hyperplasia atypical ductal).

Mother or sister (s) with breast cancer

Increased breast density on a mammogram

Exposure to Hormone replacement therapy

Excessive consumption of Alcoholic drinks

Being white and;

Being Elderly (age over 45)

Genetic alterations like ones that occur in BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 in hereditary breast / ovarian syndrome and CDH1 in hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (Julie, 2005, 342). Clearly identifiable causes of breast cancer have yet to indicate. The relationship between cause and effect (as between smoking and lung cancer) in breast cancer is not as strong. Physicians believe that breast cancer occurs primarily among women aged 50 years and over in the rich western countries. It is also clear that the female sex hormones, particularly estrogen, play a very important role in the development of breast cancer. Several factors affect the endocrine; including genetic predisposition and various habits. However, there are also risk factors unrelated ...