Oncology Nursing

Oncology defined

 Branch of medicine that deals with the study,

detection, treatment and management of
cancer

Neoplastic disease process that involves abnormal cell

growth and differentiation. The exact cause is
unknown, but viruses (HPV human papillomavirus),
chemical(industrial) and physical agents, hormones,
genetics and diet are thought to be factors that trigger
abnormal cell growth. Cancerous cells may invade the
surrounding tissues and gain access to lymph and blood
vessels, allowing it to spread to other areas of the body
(metastasis). Cancer may involve the skin, bone, any
organ, or blood.

Root Words

 Neo- new
Common sites of metastasis is breast cancer, bone and
 Plasia- growth
lung; lung cancer, brain; colorectal, liver; prostate, bone,
 Plasm- substance spine and legs; brain tumors, CNS.
 Trophy- size Cancer Nursing
 +Oma- tumor Etiology of Cancer
 Statis- location 1. PHYSICAL AGENTS
 A- none  Radiation
 Ana- lack  Exposure to irritants
 Hyper- excessive  Exposure to sunlight
 Meta- change  Altitude, humidity
 Dys- bad, deranged 2. CHEMICAL AGENTS
Cells lose their normal growth-controlling mechanism,  Smoking
and the growth of the cells is now uncontrolled.
Metastasis- cancer cells move from their original  Dietary ingredients
location to other sites- by way of blood, local  Drugs
distribution and lymphatic spread.
3.Genetics and Family History
Cancer can be a solid tumor which is usually associated
with the organs from which they develop, such as breast  Colon Cancer
or lung or Hematologic cancers: which originate from  Breast cancer
blood cell-forming tissues, such as leukemia and
lymphomas. Inherited predispostion to specific cancers, or inherited
conditions associated with cancer, or chrmosomal
abberations
Also age: advancing age is a significant risk factor  2. CT, MRI

4. Dietary Habits  3. Tumor Markers

 Low-Fiber Biopsy involves a surgical incision of a small piece of

tissue for microscopic examination.
 High-fat
Cancer Nursing
 Processed foods
Cancer
 Alcohol
 CANCER affects every age group.
High fat and low fiber diets, High animal fat intake
 The incidence of cancer is higher in men than in
preservatives and contaminants, nitrates additives.
woman and higher industrialized sectors and
5. Viruses and Bacteria nations.
 Refers to class of diseases or disorders
 DNA viruses- HepaB, Herpes, EBV, CMV,
characterized by development of abnormal cells
Papilloma Virus
that divide uncontrollably and have the ability
 RNA Viruses- HIV, HTCLV to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue.

 Bacterium- H. pylori WARNING SIGNS OF CANCER

Viruses capable of causing cancer are onconoviruses CAUTION

HPV
 C- Change in bowel/bladder habits
6. Hormonal agents
 A- sore that does not heal
 DES
 U- Unusual bleeding
 OCP especially estrogen
 T- Thickening or lump
7. Immune Disease
 I- Indigestion
 AIDS
 O- Obvious change in warts
Incidences of cancer are higher in immunosuppressed
 N- Nagging cough and hoarseness
individuals, organ transplant recipients who are taking
immunosuppressive therapy and those with AIDS  A-anemia

Body Defenses Against TUMOR  Loss of appetite

 1. T cell System/ Cellular Immunity DETECTION AND PREVENTION OF CANCER

 Cytotoxic T cells kill tumor cells PRIMARY PREVENTION

 2. B cell System/ Humoral immunity  Acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary to

educate client, community about cancer risk.
 B cells can produce antibody
SECONDARY PREVENTION
 3. Phagocytic cells
 Cancer screening programs for individuals who
 Macrophages can engulf cancer cell
are found to be at high risk of cancer.
debris

Cancer Diagnosis
 1. BIOPSY

 The most definitive

 NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES IN EARLY
DETECTION OF CANCER
STEPS TO REDUCE CANCER RISK
When teaching individual patients or groups,
nurses can recommends the following cancer
prevention strategies.
1. Increase consumption of fresh vegetables
(especially those of cabbage family)
2. Increase fiber intake
3. Increase intake of Vitamin A
4. Increase intake of foods rich in vitamin C
5. Practical weight control
6. Reduce intake of dietary fat
7. Practice moderation in consumption salt-cured,
smoked and nitrates cured foods.
8. Reduce alcohol intake
9. Avoid overexposure to sun
RECOMMENDATION FOR EARLY DETECTION OF
CANCER
BREAST CANCER
Risk factors
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE
1. Colonoscopy- an insertion of fiber optic scope
through the rectum for direct visualization of
the colon.
2. Digitals Rectum examination
PROSTATE CANCER
Risk Factors
 Increasing age after 50
 Having father or brother with prostate cancer
doubles the risk of relatives
 A diet high in red meat increase risk
 Difficulty and frequent urination, urinary
retention, decrease size and force of the urinary
stream
 Every man older than 40 should have DRE as
part of regular check up
 The more advance lesions, it becomes “stony
hard” and fixed

 Menarche before age 11

 Menopause after 50
 Family history of breast cancer-especially
mother or sister
 History of uterine cancer
 Nulliparity or borth of first child after age of 30
 Link with obesity, diabetes and hypertension
 Presence of benign breast cyst

Screening

 Breast self examination or Sariling suri sa suso

 Regular mammograms (screen all middle aged
woman)

COLORECTAL CANCER
 Means colon and rectal combined
 Highest for people older than 85 years of age
 High for people with family history of colon
cancer, polyps adenomatous of inflammatory
bowel disease. High fat. High protein (with high
intake of beef), low fiber diet, genital or breast
cancer in woman.