¥ What are some ways to reduce the risk of cancer?
¥ HPV vaccine
¥ What are some suspected carcinogens?
¥ tobacco, sunlight, radiation, asbestos, chronic irritation, viruses, bacteria, hormo
¥ What major lifestyle changes should a patient implement if they are at risk?
¥ Avoid/reduce exposure to known/suspected carcinogens:
¥ Eat a balanced diet
¥ Exercise regularly
¥ Obtain adequate rest
¥ Change perceptions of stressors
¥ Have regular health exam
¥ Practice recommended Ca screenings
¥ Breast: f 20Õs-BSE, 29-40 - CBE q3yrs,40+ CBE & mammography yearly if family
history
¥ Colorectal - 50+ - sigmoidoscopy q5yrs, colonoscopy q10yrs
¥ Practice self-examination
¥ What are some warning signs of cancer?
¥ Change in bladder or bowel habits
¥ A sore that does not heal
¥ Unusual bleeding/discharge any orifice
¥ Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
¥ Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
¥ Obvious change in wart or mole
¥ Nagging cough or hoarseness
¥ When should a patient seek help for a lump/mass?
¥ The lump feels hard or firm.
¥ The lump is painful.
¥ The lump is getting bigger.
¥ The lump doesn't completely disappear within two weeks.
¥ You feel generally unwell with a high temperature (fever) or flu-like symptoms.
¥ You have recently lost weight without trying to diet.
¥ You have any other unexplained symptoms.
¥ The lump returns after it has been removed.
¥ What is the process of extensive testing?
¥ (1) determine the presence and extent of cancer,
¥ (2) identify possible disease metastasis,
¥ (3) evaluate the function of involved and uninvolved body systems and organs,
¥ (4) obtain tissue and cells for analysis, including evaluation of tumor stage and
¥ The diagnostic evaluation includes a review of systems; physical examination;
imaging studies; laboratory tests of blood, urine, and other body fluids; procedur
and pathologic analysis.
¥ What diagnostic procedures are performed?
, ¥ Tumor Marker Identification, Genetic tumor markers (Also called prognostic
indicators), Mammography, MRI, CT, Fluoroscopy, US, Endoscopy, Nuclear
Medicine Imaging, Pet Fusion, Radioimunoconjugates, Vascular Imaging
¥ What will a biopsy do?
¥ Removal of tissue for further imaging to identify specific cells.
¥ Define carcinoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma?
¥ Carcinoma - Epithelial - Account for 80- 90% of all cancers.
¥ Sarcoma - Connective or supportive tissue
¥ Lymphoma - May involve lymph node and/or body organs
¥ Which can be found in the GI tract?
¥ Carcinoma
¥ Esophageal Cancer
¥ Gastric Stomach Cancer
¥ Colorectal Cancer
¥ Which can be found connective tissue?
¥ Sarcomas
¥ Remember TMN staging! What would T1 N2 M4 mean?TNM staging is dependent o
tumor site
¥ T - Tumor size
¥ N - Spread to lymph nodes
¥ M - Metastasis
¥ 0: cancer in situ (no invasion)
¥ 1: tumor limited to tissue of origin
¥ 2: limited local spread
¥ 3: extensive local and regional spread
¥ 4: metastasis Ð another location
¥ What are some concerns/fears a patient would have after confirmation of diagnosis
¥ Fear and Anxiety
¥ Disfigurement, emaciation
¥ Dependency
¥ Disruption of relationships
¥ Pain
¥ Financial depletion
¥ Abandonment
¥ Death
¥ As a nurse what is your priority at this point? What therapeutic communication tech
would you utilize when talking to the patient? (psst silence would be a good one).
¥ What are some treatment goals?
¥ Cure - Free of disease - 5 Years
¥ Prevention - Surgery used to eliminate/reduce risk for at-risk patients; prophylac
removal of non-vitals organs + sites of spread
¥ Control - Initial course of therapy , then maintenance therapy, monitor s/s of
recurrence