Previous Lesson

Cancer and Prevention

Adult Nursing NCLEX Review Cancer, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, and Oncological Emergencies Cancer and Prevention

A sore that doesn't heal/Skin lesion

Skin cancer, oral cancer
ABCDE to assess spots/moles on skin
- Asymmetry⇒asymmetrical
- Borders⇒uneven borders
- Color⇒different-uneven colors on a mole
- Diameter⇒bigger than 6mm (a pencil eraser)
- Evolving⇒changing in shape, color, border, diameter

Changes in bowel habits

Blood in stool is a warning!
Occult blood means you can’t see it- very important indicator that there is a tumor
Everyone should have a colonoscopy after the age of 45

Unusual Discharge

From any secreting area
Mouth
Reproductive organ
Rectum

Lumps

Lumps on breasts or testicles

Indigestion or Difficulty Swallowing

Can’t swallow ⇒ thick esophageal tumors
Esophageal reflux for many years⇒ at risk for GI tumors

Obvious changes in a mole or sore

Changes in elevation, size, color, shape etc ⇒ sign of skin cancer.

Constitutional Signs of Cancer

Unintentional weight loss
Recurrent infections
Shortness of Breath
Unexplained low grade fevers
Unexplained fatigue

Preventing Cancer

Focus on lifestyle modifications
Brown & whole grains (high fiber)
Fruits
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and cabbage).
Vitamin A (apricots, carrots, leafy green and yellow vegetables).
Vitamin C (fresh fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits).
Low fat, low salt, low sugar diet.

Primary Prevention

Avoid carcinogens/Prevent exposure:

Sunscreen
No smoking
Use PPE in work environment to prevent asbestos exposure
Maintain healthy diet: Avoid animal fat & red meat, nitrates (lunch meats, sausage, bacon).
Avoid Alcohol.
Safe sex: prevent cervical cancer
Treat H.Pylori since it can cause stomach cancer
Remove moles to prevent skin cancer
Remove colon polyps to prevent colon cancer
Vaccination: Gardasil to prevent HPV

Secondary Prevention

Regular screening: yearly mammogram, Colonoscopy at 45, yearly fecal occult blood for adults of all ages.

Yearly prostate-specific (PSA) test and digital rectal exam

Tertiary Prevention

Follow up exams: to detect cancer that is metastasizing
Rehabilitation
Palliative Care

Previous Lesson