People with cancer - Cuyahoga County Board of Health
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Transcript People with cancer - Cuyahoga County Board of Health
People with cancer
LINDA MILLER, RN, OCN
METROHEALTH CANCER CARE CENTER
Statistics
American Cancer Society estimates for 2014
In US 1,665,540 new cases
In US 585,720 deaths
In Ohio 67,000 new cases
Cancer is the 2nd most common cause of death in the
US, responsible for 1 in 4 deaths
Statistics
By 2030 expect 2.3 million new cases annually in US
By 2030 cancer will be leading cause of death
People living at least 5 years after cancer diagnosis
1970s 50%
Currently 66%
Cancer treatments
Modes of treatment
Surgery
Radiation
Chemotherapy
Treatment with single mode or multiple modes
Example of multi-modal: Breast cancer (radiation to
reduce tumor prior to surgery, chemotherapy after
surgery)
Chemotherapy
Usually given in outpatient setting
Prevents cancer cells from metastasizing
Systemic therapy
Given intravenously
Destroys good and bad cells
Treatments on set schedule
Radiation therapy
Local treatment directed at specific area
Treatments scheduled daily, but treatment extends
for weeks
Oral chemotherapy
Increasing number of patients receiving oral
chemotherapy
PRECAUTIONS NEEDED:
Handled with proper protection including chemo gloves
Keep away from others in secure area
Side effects of therapy
Fatigue
Nausea/vomiting
Diarrhea
Fever
Skin
Pain
Other
Side effects of cancer treatment
Fatigue
Most common side effect
Due to decreased red blood cells leading to lower oxygen levels
Inability to perform basic tasks
No over-exertion, conserve energy
Accommodations
Frequent rest periods
Nutritious foods, plenty liquids
Side effects of therapy
Nausea
Anti-nausea medications can prevent vomiting
Nausea triggers
Perfumes and odors
Fried foods, spicy foods, fatty foods, overly sweet foods
Dehydration
Increased risk of nausea
Women
Younger patients
Women with history of morning sickness
Helping people avoid nausea
Provide small frequent meals (nausea occurs on an
empty stomach)
Avoid strong odors
Assure availability of anti-nausea medication,
encourage to take as prescribed
Provide dry crackers/dry toast
Avoid spicy, greasy, fatty foods
Helping people with diarrhea
Imodium
BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce, dry toast
Avoid high fiber, high fat, greasy, spicy foods
Avoid caffeine, milk, alcohol
Increase fluids
People with fever
Due to low blood counts, usually 7 to 10 days after
chemo
Observe for temperature increase
First sign of infection
If fever of 100.4°F or 38°C (have thermometer
available)
To ER or call oncologist on duty
Infection precautions
Chemotherapy patients can reside in general
population shelter, but away from ill people
Dependent on instructions from physician
Provide isolation if necessary
Skin problems
Especially for people receiving radiation therapy
Redness of skin
Provide Eucerin, Aquaphor
People with pain
Treat with medication
Opioids
Keep in secure place!
Other side effects
Less frequent side effects related to attack on the
“good cells”
Alopecia
May use head covering, even at night
Numbness in fingers
Difficulty feeling, holding things
Stomatitis
Questions to ask
If a shelter resident identifies as a person being
treated for cancer, ask about
Pain medicine
Anti-nausea medicine
Oral chemotherapy
Personal supplies: ostomy bags, etc.
Time and place of next treatment
Have available
Rest area
Nutritious foods
Fluids (water, juice, Gatorade, popsicles, Jell-O)
Imodium
Thermometer
End of life concerns
Understanding prognosis
patients continue to "hope" - requesting more treatments
Ask person (and listen to the answers) what care or
treatment will be needed in the shelter and how best
to provide the care
Ask if caregiver is with person
Ask about others providing care
Ask about advanced directives
End of life concerns – symptom control
Pain – adequate pain control
Secretions – control and/or managing secretions
Constipation – adequate hydration, stool softeners
Anxiety – medication, comforting environment,
caregivers
Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) – positioning, oxygen
POD related information
Per CDC – no live vaccines
Herpes Zoster (shingles)
Flu mist (nasal spray)
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
Smallpox
Yellow fever
Chicken pox
Thank you
Questions?
Comments?