Interdisciplinary research incorporates data, tools, techniques, perspectives, theories, or concepts from two or more disciplines of specialized knowledge. Cancer is a complicated disease, and its causes and treatment solutions are beyond the scope of the nursing discipline. Synergistic efforts are constantly being made to bring knowledge from fields unrelated to healthcare, like social sciences and liberal arts, to develop new detection and treatment methods for cancer (Bellah, 2018). Therefore, interdisciplinary research helps advance the fundamental understanding and address cancer-related problems.
Diagnostic tests used to diagnose cancer include laboratory tests like Tumor marker identification, imaging tests like CT, PET, MRI, and bone scan, and cytology. The TNM system is used to stage cancer, and it outlines the general anatomic extent of a tumor and groups it from stages 0-4. Cancer patients experience complications like impaired oxygenation, impaired nutrition, and infection. The ACS provides information to cancer patients on cancer diagnoses, treatments and side effects, self-management, and coping strategies. Using the nursing process in the care of cancer patients allows the nurse to assess, plan goals, and evaluate care.
American Cancer Society. (2019). How we’re providing support. American Cancer Society | Information and Resources about for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Lung, Prostate, Skin. https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/providing-support.html
Bellah, M. M. (2018). The emergence of interdisciplinary research in cancer diagnostics. J. Nanomedicine Res, 6(1). DOI: 10.15406/jnmr.2017.06.00161
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