Chemotherapy treatment is a series of drugs which is administered to a patient who has cancer. Although decision of the treatment is usually left up to parents when it comes to their children, adolescents should be given the chance to have the final say of whether or not it is something they would like to pursue. Providing the adolescents with the appropriate resources and information in regards to chemotherapy treatment can aid them in making a decision which is best for them. The same kinds of effects of the treatment are seen in both adults and adolescents but due to the development that adolescents are going through it has an even greater impact on their lives both physically and psychologically. The physical effects of chemotherapy treatment …show more content…
For some it may help to get rid of cancer completely, it may serve as a supplement to the removal of a tumor or it may stand alone as a treatment to help alleviate the symptoms for an incurable cancer. The harsh side effects which accompany chemotherapy can vary depending on the individual but overall the symptoms of fatigue, weight loss, pain, nausea and hair loss are usually common across the board (Chemotherapy, n.d.). Due to the harshness of chemotherapy treatments, an individual must make the decision of whether or not it is something they would like to pursue. In most cases, adults have the option of making the decision on their own. Children under the age of 18 on the other hand usually have their parents to make the decision for them, with the exception of special cases such as adolescents who are emancipated, when there is a legal guardian who is appointed or if a parent lacks the decision-making ability (Canadian Pediatrics Society, 2004, p. 100). The final say overall does come from whoever has authority over the minor. Although all children under the age of 18 may not be suited to make decisions for themselves, some are capable of making it. Adolescents should be able to make the decision of whether or not they want to go through a chemotherapy …show more content…
They also tie in closely with the psychological effects which develop as the treatment progresses. In one study conducted by Enskar and von Essen, it was found that in most 8 to 12 year olds, pain came from the diagnostic procedures and treatments. There were comparisons between children who were receiving treatment at the moment and those who had completed it. Of the children who were receiving treatment, they had more problems with hair loss and nausea compared to those who had completed the treatment (Enskar & von Essen, 2008, pp. 37, 39). During the duration of the treatment, the patients typically felt the physical effects even more compared to when it was completed. There is also a distinct comparison between which effects are emphasized between school aged children and adolescents. Children felt weak and tired physically while adolescents felt fatigue mentally and emotionally (Hooke, Garwick, & Gross, 2011, p.
Cancer can have many different effects on people. Many people would limit the effects to the patient but like I mentioned above the family is heavily affected by the cancer as well. The causes range from smoke to sunlight and the difference of exposure they have to both. The effects of cancer can be as simple as vomiting and being sick, to death. I don’t think just anyone can talk about cancer I think that only people who have personally experienced it can tell the true effects of it. Cancer is a slow killer that effects many American families and families around the
Ph.D. degree acquired authors, Ronald L. Blount, Ronald T. Brown, and Natalie C. Frank, conducted a study focused on predictors of the overall psychological adjustment in children who are battling cancer. They concentrated on anxiety and depression levels and how the child externalizes behavior. There were 83 children who participated in this study of ages ranging from 7 to 18 years. After obtaining parental and child consent, the researchers proceeded to give each
Would a person say the number forty-three, out of all the numbers in existence, is small? That person would probably say yes, but what if someone said forty-three children a day are diagnosed with cancer (Duncan, Geoff). With the widespread of cancer, one should try to envision themselves as a pediatric oncologist because of the comfortable environment of the work, the great gain of knowledge and salary, and benefits of healing people.
survivability rate as high as 80% for children.” (Hopper, P3). After her prognosis she started her
Cancer also affects the lives of the caregivers/family members about a little bit different. Family members don’t experience the physical pain but they do encounter the emotional pain. Whenever family member experience a traumatic event it brings a great deal of worry, fear, and even depression throughout the family. Some family member may even isolate themselves because the stress can be overwhelming and hard to deal with.
Young patients and their families who are diagnosed with childhood cancer have a very difficult time coping with the situation at hand. Due to the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty it is pivotal that all health care members are involved in the promotion of quality of life in the hospital settings and in their home. Nurses especially are given the opportunity with each interaction to help a patient and their families find ways to cope with their diagnosis. The purpose of this article is to discuss how uncertainty decreases coping mechanisms and what interventions are implemented to effectively cope and adapt to their diagnosis.
Chemotherapy is a cancer drug which is used to treat brain cancer. Radiation therapy is high energy rays that kill and shrink cancer cells. Some steroids are used to treat and prevent swelling of the brain. You will some what lose motor skills and muscle strength. Continuous follow up care to help care for the disease is highly recommended. According to some in depth research , long term survival varies depending on the different types of cancer your child has.
Cohen, L.L., Lemanek, K., Blount, R.L., Dahlquist, L.M., Lim, C.S, Palermo, T.M., …Weiss, K.E. (2008). Evidence -based assessment of pediatric pain. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 33 (9), 939-955. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsm103
The under-served population in this article are children experiencing or had experienced cancer and an extension of them, their families. The highest cause of death in children is cancer, which could be acute lymphoblastic leukemia, brains tumors, etc. I result of this, the child and families can experience traumatic. Going through a painful process of treatment, drawing bone marrow, or undergoing anxiety and fear after treatment all contributes to the distress.
Dealing with cancer can be one of the most difficult situations in someone’s life; whether it’d be yourself or a loved one. It becomes even more sensitive when it is a child that is diagnosed with cancer. Rationalities are tainted and desperate times call for desperate measures. Many parents go above and beyond for their sick child and want to do everything possible to save them, unfortunately in these cases it can be by any means necessary. The issue of treatment for minors being mandatory is one that has stirred up controversies over many years. But some patients, with the support of their parents, just want quality of life. They want to live their last days on their own terms. In that case, it should be okay for the parents to refuse chemo for their child. It shouldn’t be mandatory for the patient to get treated.
In regards to therapy, the article discussed how it is effective in treating cancer patients temporarily but may cause other related issues later on. These future issues are called SPM’s or second primary malignancies. They are more likely to show up in people who were treated for pediatric cancer because of the large number of years following treatment and the relatively high radiation sensitivity due to body development (Neglia et al., 2001.) It is also important to address that many childhood cancers are caused by genetic issues. The utilization of radiation therapy could potentially further destroy the already ineffective genes and lead to another related cancer (Baker et al.,
However, studies have shown that the majority of young adults and college students know very little about cancer and a very unlikely to perform self-examinations. While cancer is declining as a whole, cancer incidence among young adults is slowly rising. Three of the cancers young adults may be at risk for include lymphomas, testicular and breast cancers. General risk factors for cancer include a family history of cancer, as well as abnormalities in childhood development of primary and secondary sex organs. Prevention of these cancers is mainly linked to a healthy diet and lifestyle, with little to no use of alcohol and tobacco. Being aware of one’s family history with cancer is also important in determining what cancers one might be at risk for. Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are also important as obesity in linked to most cancers. Besides knowing about what cancers college students are at risk for, it is also important to know where to go if one should get cancer. Cancer resources for the Walla Walla area can be found at the local St. Mary’s Cancer Center where they can provide screenings, tests, and treatments. Support groups and some financial resources can be found through websites such as Stupid Cancer, which raise awareness about young adult cancers. Financial aid is available for college students who have or have had cancer in the form of various scholarships. Resources are out there but are not being introduced to college students as they should
The purpose of the site is clear. It provides a wealth of information on late effects of childhood cancer, and how best to manage and follow-up on them. Content links are complementary and educative, while the information is well summarized and reviewed throughout. The literacy demand on readers is appropriate for both laypeople and
This paper will address evidence based practice and apply it to a PICO question. The focus of the paper will be on information about cancer occurring in teenagers who are experiencing pain.
Cancer, one of the most feared words in our vocabulary of this time, especially in childhood (Druker 1). Most people when thinking of “childhood cancer” envision very young children, although a “Nation Institute of Health Policy concerning inclusion of children in clinical research defines children as being younger than twenty-one years of age while the Food and Drug Administration considers children to be fifteen years and younger” (Ries 158). That being said, most cancers incidence peak among children occurs during the first year of life (Gurney 149). Some of the most well-known nationwide childhood cancers are leukemia, brain cancer, and other central nervous system cancers (oeconline 1). In conjunction, “the side effects of treatment,