Treatment of Cancer: Challenges and Opportunities - Essay Example

Synthesis Synthesis Introduction The American Cancer Society refers to cancer as a condition caused by several diseases that are characteristic of an uncontrolled growth of odd cells in the body. The condition emanates from different causes. The American Cancer Society predicts that 1, 658, 370 cases will be diagnosed in 2015. Among the predicted new cancer cases, 78% are individuals above the age of 55. In 2015, the cancer society predicts that 589, 340 Americans are likely to die of cancer. That translates to 1, 620 deaths, daily. The analysis depicts current state of cancer that necessitates educational institutions to have programs that equip learners with relevant knowledge of the disease. The BSN program conducted in medical institutions equips students with skills to care for the cancer-affected community. In essence, the program equips students with expertise to enhance quality health care. Through clinical experiences and research, learners gain the knowledge required to address cancer. The study of oncology and detoxification, being a part of the BSN program, enables oncologists to diagnose and grade the aggressiveness of the disease for proper treatment and medication. The essay illustrates the BSN program’s outcomes and the extent to which learners met every objective of the study. Outcome 1 Clinical 0ncology employs three primary procedures that work together in treating cancer. The systems include medical, surgical and radiation methods of managing the disease. Medical oncology involves caring for cancer patients using drugs to prevent the growth of cancer cells, a process known as chemotherapy. Surgical oncology, on the other hand, is the removal of tumors and surrounding tissues through a surgical operation. The final procedure involves carrying out radiation activity by the use of X-rays to kill the cancer cells. The processes are applicable to the treatment of the disease depending on the severity of the infection and duration of care. Outcome 2 The BSN program is vital to enhancing learners’ knowledge on effective communication with cancer patients and other members during care. According to the National Cancer Institute (2015), cancer care requires effective communication with the cancer patient from diagnosis throughout the course of treating the disease. Oncologists have the responsibility to communicate information regarding the treatment of cancer and general care of the condition. The oncologists explain to the patients the diagnosis and stage of the disease. That involves describing the infection and affected body organs. Professionals discuss treatment procedures and options available and recommend the best treatment method during cancer care. The communication process includes supporting healthy practices for the patient and managing of cancer pains and related diseases. The communication is aimed at delivering quality care to the patient and highlighting the family and the community on the effective cancer management and prevention methods. The process also involves the care of a multidisciplinary team who are specialized in different diagnosis procedures and treatment methods. Outcome 3 The BSN program is fundamental to promote knowledge of problem solving, diagnostic thinking and proper clinical decision-making during cancer care. Decisions during cancer care have varied levels of complications: others are extremely urgent while others demand extensive consultation. In other instances, decisions demand time to research before being undertaken. The oncologist has fundamental roles and contributions towards clinical decision making during cancer care. In essence, it is imperative to learn have knowledge of contextual and holistic thinking during cancer care. The BSN program is particularly important to enhancing knowledge in promoting patient-centered oncology care as illustrated by Katz, Belkora and Elwyn (2014). Outcome 4 Cancer care demands collaborative relationships with different individuals including families, communities, as well as diverse populations. Among the critical aims of the BSN program is to enhance learners’ knowledge of enhancing collaborative relationships. That is achievable through the collaborations between patients and health care providers. The program also emphasizes the necessity to ensure collaboration between oncology providers and those providing primary care. Lazure et al. (2014) recognize communication as the central aspect to enhancing collaborative relationships. The BSN program is vital in promoting shared care for patients through improve communications and involvement. Outcome 5 The BSN program equips the students with relevant skills to enable them provide sufficient care for the cancer victims. BSN offers two educational options for students who wish to manage and care for cancer patients. The Two-Plus-Two BSN program equips the students with professional and technological skills for tackling the infection. It is meant for students who pursue oncology as their first degree in college and university. The program molds professionals in different oncology platforms that offer professional care to the cancer victims. Traditional BSN option provides cancer management techniques to interested parties who have their first degrees in a non-nursing profession. Traditional BSN offers the program in accelerated baccalaureate programs that offer a quick license to students who have completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree program upon the completion of the BSN program. Fast-track baccalaureate BSN program takes a period of 11 to 18 months for the degree program and three years for the master’s program including prerequisites. The program is also offered to individuals who have earned a first degree in non-nursing programs. The education at the traditional BSN option is mainly provided to the students and the community to help manage the occurrence of cancer in the community. Outcome 6 Oncology uses a range of equipment for the diagnosis and management of the cancer disease. The tools are applied at different stages of the infection to remedy the condition following outlined methods. At the diagnostic level, the process employs the use of X-rays, CT scanning machine and MRI scanning to locate the organ infected. Biopsy tool is utilized in the removal of tumor tissues during operation for examination. After the diagnosis, the oncology is program according to the severity of the infection and the availability of resources and equipment. The resources and types of equipment have had a positive impact on the nursing practice by delivering quality treatment and care to the victims hence saving many lives. The resources enlighten the community on the methods of living with and managing cancer. Outcome 7 The management and care of cancer require personal and professional collaboration. Professionals provide the leadership skills by maintaining good communication and interaction in the society in the fight against cancer. The professional skill emphasizes on the handling the patients with care and love during the cause of the treatment. These attributes reflect in various individuals as they care for the patients during oncology at home and in the hospitals. Outcome 8 The oncology and detoxification of cancer are based on extensive reading and research at different levels of learning. Eccles et al. (2013) recognize the role of research in addressing breast cancer, for instance. Learners interact with scholarly articles written by various authors and bodies to expand their ideas and perspectives of the infection. The American Society of Clinical Oncology is a body of oncologists with different knowledge and socialization in cancer. The oncologists author personal books with respect to their fields of specialization that are used by learners to explore the cancer menace. The oncologists also publish joint books and articles used by the students as potential references in the nursing and oncology practice. The articles are frequently updated to accommodate the emerging trends and evolution in cancer. Implications for practice The knowledge acquired through the BSN program is applied at different levels in oncology. At the diagnostic level, the knowledge vital when recommending an effective management and care. Proper communication with the victims, family and community enlightens them on the control of the infection to avoid the pains and development of related diseases. The clinical procedures help the oncologists know the best treatment procedures and care for the patients depending on the gender, age, type and nature of the infection. The future of nursing depends on the knowledge and emerging trends in cancer infection. The knowledge will help come up with healthy practices that prevent the frequency of the new cancer diagnosis in a population. The knowledge will help come up with advanced equipment to counter the emerging trends in cancer infection. References American Cancer Society. (2015). Cancer Facts & Figures 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015 from http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@editorial/documents/document/acspc-044552.pdf Eccles, S. A., Aboagye, E. O., Ali, S., Anderson, A. S., Armes, J., Berditchevski, F. & Kirwan, C. C. (2013). Critical research gaps and translational priorities for the successful prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research, 15(5), R92. Katz, S. J., Belkora, J., & Elwyn, G. (2014). Shared decision making for treatment of cancer: challenges and opportunities. Journal of Oncology Practice, 10(3), 206-208. Lazure, P., St-Germain, F., Gryfe, R., Trudeau, M., & Hayes, S. M. (2014). Communication–the foundation for collaborative relationships amongst providers, and between providers and patients: A case in breast and colorectal cancer. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 7(1), 41-56. National Cancer Institute. (2015, March 27). Communication in Cancer Care. Retrieved July 1, 2015 from http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/adjusting-to-cancer/communication-pdq Read More