In addition to lifestyle factors, viruses (oncoviruses) have been associated with various cancers. Viral carcinogenesis occurs when viruses infect body cells and destroy DNA strands (Das, 2021). Hepatitis B virus is linked with Primary liver carcinoma, while Hepatitis C is associated with Primary liver carcinoma and B-cell lymphomas. Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes vulvar carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, and other anogenital carcinomas (Das, 2021). Besides, Epstein-Barr virus is linked with B-cell lymphoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
The ACS is on a mission to make the world a cancer-free place. To achieve this, it provides funds, conducts research, shares expert information, support cancer patients and their families, and increases the general population’s knowledge about cancer prevention. The ACS can provide education on cancer diagnoses, cancer treatments and side effects, self-management, and coping strategies (ACS, 2019). For instance, the ACS offers information on its website on cancer, including clinical features, diagnostic tests, and staging. This can help cancer patients understand more about their diagnosis. In addition, the ACS provides information on treatment interventions for various cancers and the associated side effects. Furthermore, the ACS provides patients with education on lifestyle interventions like nutrition, physical activity, working on one’s appearance, and working when on cancer treatment (ACS, 2019). The ACS provides information on how to cope with cancer diagnosis and treatment. This is essential in helping cancer patients, and their families prepare for treatment and to adjust to life with cancer.
A nurse can recommend the Breast Cancer Support service offered by the ACS. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women and the second leading cause of death, which makes this service essential for women with the disease. Breast Cancer Support helps patients cope with the breast cancer experience as early as the cancer is diagnosed (ACS, 2019). The support continues for as long as the disease remains a concern to the patient. Breast cancer patients are given an opportunity to communicate their feelings, express their worries, and ask questions to survivors. The patients are given support and hope, which is crucial in promoting their emotional and mental health.
Nurses use the five phases nursing process to provide care to cancer patients. In the assessment phase, the nurse takes the patient history, performs a physical exam, and orders necessary diagnostic tests. The assessment helps to identify any complications with cancer and treatment side effects. The nurse assesses the patient’s vital signs, pain level, fatigue level, skin problems, signs of infection, hair loss problems, nutrition, self-esteem level, and psychosocial well-being (Tuominen et al., 2019). The assessment findings guide the nurse in making a diagnosis. Examples of common findings in cancer patients include pain, fever, mucositis, decreased muscle mass, and low self-esteem.
In the diagnosis phase, the nurse uses the objective and subjective findings in the assessment phase to make actual or potential diagnoses. An example of an actual diagnosis is Acute pain related to the compression of nerve tissue by a tumor, as evidenced by the patient’s report of pain (Tuominen et al., 2019). A potential nursing diagnosis is a Risk for infection related to the suppression of the bone marrow and reduced WBC count.
In the planning phase, the nurse collaborates with the patient to develop desired outcomes. The goals are guided by the assessment findings and nursing diagnosis, aiming to alleviate or reduce their impact on the patient. For instance, the goal for Acute pain can be for the patient to report adequate pain control within 24 hours (Tuominen et al., 2019). The desired outcome for Risk of infection can be for the patient to remain free from infection during the hospitalization period.
The nurse implements nursing interventions in the intervention phase to attain the desired patient outcomes. The interventions should be based on best practices and evidence-based practice, and the nurse should have a rationale for implementing them. The nursing interventions for acute pain include administering analgesics, cutaneous stimulation with hot/cold compressions, and teaching the patient relaxation techniques (Tuominen et al., 2019). On the other hand, the nursing interventions for risk for infection include frequently monitoring vital signs, complete blood count, and daily assessment of all body systems for clinical features of infection. These interventions can help in the early recognition and treatment of infection. In the eval
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