...Oral Cancer: The Quiet One Imagine for a moment being silent. Imagine having the words to say, but no means to make them heard. Try to envision your life without being able to taste your favorite foods, or perhaps never being able to eat them at all, even though they might be readily available. Picture having all the water you could ever desire, but never being able to quench your thirst. It sounds something like hell, doesn’t it? This isn’t just some make believe version of hell; it is a harsh reality of our world. Each year, thousands of people will experience this nightmare for themselves. “Why?” you may ask. It is all caused by an easily detectable form of cancer: oral cancer. When identified early, the disease can be easily treated and rarely requires radiation or chemotherapy. However, very few people actually get checked for oral cancer, despite the fact that it could save hundreds if not thousands of lives each year. One of the least publicized forms of the disease, oral cancer has very few signs or symptoms in its early stages, can easily and rapidly spread to other areas of the body, and has an extremely high mortality rate. In the early stages of oral cancer, there is often no initial pain. It is difficult to detect without a detailed familiarity with your own body or an experienced professional’s examination. Self examinations can be helpful, but since the mouth often has various bumps and lumps appearing and disappearing, the beginnings of oral cancer...
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...b. Tiny and well drawn: failing of great inadequacy. c. Large: strong feelings of conflict with environment. 4. FENCE: guardedness; protect self from people. 5. DOOR: a. No door: difficult accessibility. b. Door high beyond base line: person is inaccessible; higher the door is beyond thee baseline. The greater the degree of unwillingness to get in contact. emphasize door: admit you`re only on your terms. d. Door knob: morality and dependency will not permit contact. 6. WINDOWS: a. Overly large windows: great demandness. b. On panes blank: oppositional tendencies; windows are high in strokes, apathy, empty feelings within. c. Bar in window: keep away. d. Decorations on windows: too defensive. e. Emphasis on windows: possible oral preoccupation. CHIMNEY a. Smoke: inner tension. b. Right: pressure from the past. c. Left: pressure from current situation. d. Overlarge: exhibitionism. e. None: coolness in home, missing father. f. Transparent: attempt masculinity. h. Large chimney: latent aggressiveness. WALKAWAY a. Long: loosened...
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...Health Promotion in Oral Cancer Health promotion may be defined as the process by which patients are given the power to gain control over their health thereby improving it. It also includes providing skills to patients to enable them to develop healthy habits and also improving their social and physical environments to support these habits (Sharma & Romas, 2012). Health promotion does not only focus on the disease but empowers the patient to improve his or her overall health. Therefore, health care in oral cancer is involved in creating a conducive environment for patients to improve their health. Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects the inner parts of the mouth including the throat. It is mainly caused by smoking cigarettes and chewing smokeless tobacco. It mostly appears as painless sores and growth within the mouth including the lips, tongue, gums and inner cheek. It may be confused for ulcers or cold sores (Sharma & Romas, 2012). Oral cancer has a very high mortality rate i.e. patients affected only live for up to 5 years after infection. This may be due to the fact that cancer cells in the mouth are usually not detected until they are developed. Survival and treatment of oral cancer depends on early detection. If it is diagnosed in the early stages, an oral cancer patient is more likely to survive than persons affected by other cancers (Sharma & Romas, 2012). Health education with health promotion and the situation in Saudi Arabia Health education is any learning...
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...mouth and to the gum or jaws. As the tumour grows, it becomes more life threatening by metastasizing to lymph nodes in the neck and to the rest of the body. There are two parts of the tongue, the oral tongue and the base of the tongue. Tongue cancer can develop in either part. The oral tongue is the part which is visible when someone ‘sticks the tongue out’. The base of the tongue is behind the oral tongue but they develop from different embryonic tissues and are dissimilar. Tongue carcinoma can be defined as squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and could be: * Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue * Squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue. Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue The tumor is usually located on the side/lateral border of the oral tongue. It is usually ulcerated and greyish-pink to red in color and bleeds easily if bitten or touched. Some very small cancers of the oral tongue can be quickly and successfully treated surgically by removing the primary tumor in the tongue. But as the size of the primary tumor increases, the statistical possibility of some cancer cells spreading through the lymphatic vessels to the lymph nodes of the neck increases. Squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue The base of the tongue can grow several types of cancer but squamous cell carcinoma is the most common. Carcinoma of the base of the tongue is usually large when...
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...Group 6: HPV as a leading cause of Cancer Human papillomavirus (HPV) was founded in the 1950s as a virus infection that is associated to many cancers. It is primarily transmitted through sexual contact and less intimate skin-to-skin contact. Preventions have been implemented to raise awareness of the virus. The first vaccine for HPV approved as a widespread use in the US was in 2006. The virus acts to infect the keratinocytes in the skin and mucosal membrane. Other areas the HPV acts as a carcinogen are the cervix, anus, penis, vulva, vagina, oropharynx, benign genital and cutaneous warts, respiratory papillomatosis, and nasal or oral papilloma. Some researchers have concluded that the HPV infection which is more common during the active period of age is directly related to certain cancers. Researchers have found that HPV is associated with certain types of cancers and also have found that HPV can have no association with certain cancers. The research we did will explain the various cancers associated with HPV and attempt to answer the question “is HPV the leading cause of cancer?” In the United Stated and around the world, cancer is and continues to be a very serious disease that affects millions of people. Head and neck cancers are “the sixth most common cancer in the world” (Lajer et al. 2012). While the link between HPV and cervical cancer has been established; it is still unclear to researchers how HPV is related to head and neck cancer. The authors assert that alcohol...
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...Background Regnier Denois, V., Poirson J., Nourissat A., Jacquin J., Guastalla J. P, & Chauvin F. (2011) European Journal of Cancer Care 20, 520-527. Adherence with oral chemotherapy: results from a qualitative study of the behavior and representations of patients and oncologists. This study was conducted to evaluate the importance of partnership between the patient and the prescriber in oral chemotherapy adherence. 42 patients taking Capecitabine for the treatment of metastatic breast or colon cancer and 10 oncology prescribers were interviewed to evaluate the practice behavior of the prescriber and assess patients’ understanding of therapy adherence. The study aimed at obtaining the perspectives of both patients and the prescribing oncologists. The findings of this study show that patients did not deliberately ignore to take their medication, it shows poor adherence to treatment schedule, poor or failure to report adverse effects and toxicity was the most important finding. It also shows there is no standard of practice for the process of prescribing and educating the patients. Each prescriber selected the patients based on available treatment guidelines and individual experience. Problem Statement The use of oral chemotherapy is increasing as more new targeted therapy drugs are developed. Oncologists prescribe oral chemotherapy based on the disease, recommended guidelines and patients are selected based on the prescriber’s past experiences. The weight...
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...Vemurafenib: A Potentially New Standard of Care? Vemurafenib: A Potentially New Standard of Care? Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. Advanced metastatic melanoma, stage III or IV, has been incurable and relatively untreatable with “less than 10% of patients responding to traditional chemotherapy” regimens (PubMed Health, 2011). Progress in this area of oncology research has been very slow with the “average prognosis for patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma being 8-18 months” (Chapman., 2011). Proven research shows that the standard chemotherapy regimens don’t actually extend the lives of these patients. The standard first line treatment for late stage metastatic melanoma is dacarbazine (DTIC), used either alone as a single agent or in combination with other chemotherapy agents, and the effects have been minimal. The dacarbazine regimen usually shrinks the tumors for a temporary period, “about 3-6 months,” and then they begin to grow again. (Melanoma Skin Cancer, 2011). Recent research in the past five years has led to some targeted immunotherapy drugs like ipilimumab and peginterferon alpha-2b which have shown some promising results in helping to extend life expectancies for these patients. On August 17, 2011 the Food and Drug Administration gave some much needed hope to these patients with the approval of vemurafenib (Zelboraf). An orally administered targeted chemotherapy agent that has shown statistically significant results in “reducing the...
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...tests showed reduced WBC and platelet count. Her PCP referred LV to the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute for further evaluation. The CBCI completed a bone marrow biopsy. The results were consistent with relapse. Their blood tests showed the following: WBC count, 2200 cells/mm3; Hgb, 6 g/dL; Platelets, 60,000/L; Albumin, 2.0 g/dL; Creatinine, 0.7 g/dL; Sodium, 140 mEq/L; Potassium, 4.3 mEq/L;...
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...from their hometown and this was not their first trip here. DK and her husband have been married for 56 years and have three children: two daughters and a son. She worked for McDonalds for 12 years and then retired to be a stay at home mom. My patient was admitted to the hospital based on an abnormal finding from a CAT scan. They CAT scan showed a mass in her right kidney. The patient described that she had no idea of the mass. She went in for a CAT scan because of blood in her urine and experience of her previous diagnosis of kidney cancer, and was informed of the findings. In June of 2013, she had received a total left nephrectomy because of malignant neoplasm in her left renal pelvis. She also informed me that she was born with three kidneys, one left and two rights. However she now only has the two right ones. Malignant neoplasm of the renal pelvis means any new or abnormal growth of tissue found in the renal pelvis associated with cancer. The kidneys are bean shaped, so the renal...
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...Article 1 Quimby, Erin L. "The use of herbal therapies in pediatric oncology patients: treating symptoms of cancer and side effects of standard therapies."Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing Jan.-Feb. 2007: 35+. Academic OneFile. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. Summary: Erin L. Quimby graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with her Masters of Science in Nursing. She currently works for Penn State as a Nurse Practitioner caring for pediatric oncology patients. Throughout the article she explains many aspects of using herbal therapies along with chemotherapy. Quimby gives us positive and negative notations on these affects. According to Quimby, the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased in the pediatric oncology community. CAM is the use of herbal therapies to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy. Complementary and alternative medicine is commonly used, but is not always discussed with the health care provider. Not consulting a health care provider before using prescription drugs, with non-prescription drugs can be very harmful towards a child. According to Quimby “a study conducted by Friedman et al. (1997) showed that 64% of children with cancer use some type of CAM, where only 22% of them told their health care provider. These results suggested that families with chronically ill children are more likely to disclose information about herbal therapy usage in their homes. “ When asked by a health care provider, parents often times only...
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...Introduction The last few years have seen an increase in research in the treatment of childhood cancer. Such research is essential for understanding common challenges that arise after the difficult cancer diagnosis experience and may lead to better strategies and interventions for anticipating and mitigating the adverse impact of cancer on the child and his or her family giving a more holistic approach to care. From this case study, one can immediately notice that family Cauchi have passed through a lot of hardships over a short period of time. Over three weeks they have faced the diagnosis of cancer, prolonged hospitalisation, and a disrupted routine, together with surgical and invasive procedures, intensive treatment along with adverse side-effects, as well as changes in the child’s body image and in his habitual personality. In its first section, this assignment will give an overview of the initial diagnosis and acute phase of the leukaemia treatment. In light of literature, the following section will discuss and evaluate interventions carried out to prevent, reduce and manage adverse side-effects, in order to maintain the overall physical health of the child. Subsequently, the impact of the illness experience on the child, sibling and the parents is addressed from a psychological, social and spiritual point of view. The nurse’s role in providing support, information and education throughout hospitalisation, as well as in preparation for discharge, is outlined...
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...Case Study 1. Review the four principles of sex-linked inheritance listed just before the case study. Which individuals in figure 5.2 demonstrate principle 1? Bill, Terry, Greg, and Jenny. 2. Which individuals in figure 5.2 represent principle 2? Carl, Terry, and Greg. 3. Which individuals in figure 5.2 represent principle Florence, Jessica, Terry, and Greg. 4. Why are none of the males in figure 5.2 shown as carriers of hemophilia? Males cannot carry hemophilia because it is an X-linked disease and males only have a single X chromosome. If the male has an X, he has the disease. 5. What is the probability that Marcy and Tom will have any child with hemophilia (irrespective of sex)? Show how you calculate this. The probability of Marcy and Tom having a child with hemophilia is 12.5%. This is because Marcy has a 50% chance of being a carrier. Marcy’s children in turn have a 50% chance of receiving a copy of the X chromosome. Thus, there is a 25% chance that any of the children would receive a copy of the recessive X allele from Marcy. Tom does not have hemophilia, so we know that the gene on his X chromosome is normal. Therefore, only Marcy and Tom’s sons could have hemophilia. The total probability of Marcy and Tom having a child with hemophilia is 12.5% which brakes down mathematically (0.5)(0.5)(0.5) = .125. 6. Suppose Marcy becomes pregnant and has an amniocentesis, a prenatal cell-sampling technique that can identify the sex of a child (among...
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...have hemophilia, so we know that the gene on his X chromosome is normal. Therefore, only Marcy and Tom’s sons could have hemophilia. The total probability of Marcy and Tom having a child with hemophilia is 12.5% which brakes down mathematically (0.5)(0.5)(0.5) = .125. 6. 7. 8. The drugs for chemotherapy target the rapidly dividing cells of the body, which include not only the cancer cells but the hair cells. Those drugs are used specifically to seize the ongoing replication of fast growing cells. This means that these drugs affect the fast replication of hair cells and new growth cannot occur because of the intensity these drugs apply to the cells. Fortunately hair loss is just when the chemotherapy is repeated throughout the body. Shortly after chemo is no longer used or needed hair will return though it may grow in thicker/thinner, a different color, and/or might have a different curl. 9. Based on Table 5.1 oral cancer has a better prognosis because 84,000 out of 30,750 or 27.3% people with oral cancer pass away. That compared to almost nearly 50% of people who are diagnosed with colon cancer do not over come the battle....
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...each other. Treatments for mycosis fungoides Treatments for mycosis fungoides include both skin-directed and systemic treatments. Skin-directed treatments for mycosis fungoides For patients with early-stage mycosis fungoides, treatments are aimed directly at the skin rather than the entire body. Skin-directed treatmetns for mycosis fungoides include • Phototherapy with ultraviolet (UV) light • Topical medicines • Radiation therapy Phototherapy with ultraviolet (UV) light Phototherapy uses two types of ultraviolet (UV) light to destroy cancer cells. A patient may be treated using either ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Both types of UV light are administered using fluorescent lamps. The light boxes are specially calibrated to maximize the effect of treatment while minimizing the risk of burns. Phototherapy treatments are usually...
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...Being the fifth leading cause of all cancer related deaths among women in the United States, ovarian cancer is a silent killer for which all women are at risk (National Cancer Institute, 2006). Ovarian cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells are located in the ovaries, the glands, of the female reproductive system. What makes this a deadly disease is because it is difficult to detect. In 2012, 22,500 women were diagnosed nationwide and an estimated 15,500 deaths were recorded (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 2012). Women today are unaware of the severity of this cancer in addition; they do not know the proper ways to keep themselves at minimum risk. Most cases of ovarian cancer are sporadic, meaning they occur in women who may not have a family history of developing this cancer; even though statistics show that 1 in 10 cases are hereditary (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 2012). Women of all ages should be educated on this disease and know the facts. Many women do not know that they are at risk for ovarian cancer. It is important to know the information because there are very subtle symptoms on this disease. Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer should know their options when receiving treatment to optimize their success of removing the cancer. It is important for all women to know the treatment and prevention of ovarian cancer. There are several treatments and ways to prevent ovarian cancer. Women should always discuss treatment options with their doctors...
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