How the cancer situation can be improved

3 How the cancer situation can be improved



Chapter aims




• To understand how to prevent cancer developing


• To identify how survival rates can be improved


• To explore public health approaches to detecting cancer at an earlier stage



How to prevent cancer developing


Having identified the possible causations of cancer, we have an opportunity to use this knowledge to inform and influence individual lifestyles and behaviours. This can be done on several levels:



• Government and local policy: for example, the banning of smoking in public places; taxation of cigarettes and alcohol; national vaccination programmes, such as the human papillomavirus vaccine for teenage girls (16 and 18 strains); health and safety at work: Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) regulations and advertising (COSHH 2002).


• Individually: everyone has the opportunity to make small changes in their lifestyle to reduce their cancer risk, such as giving up smoking; eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables; safe sexual practice (using a condom); applying sun screen appropriately (correct sun protection factor (SPF) for skin type and sun intensity, applied at correct time intervals); and taking exercise to maintain a healthy body mass index.


As healthcare professionals, we have a responsibility to promote and provide information to assist individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices, even if this is in a very small way. Many nurses working in acute care environments consider that their role is to care for ‘sick’ people and do not recognise the opportunities to improve the health of their patients and/or families. This needn’t be heavy handed – it might be during a routine admission or assessment. We often ask patients whether they smoke, but what do we do with this information? This is a good opportunity to gently enquire whether the individual has considered or has even tried to give up smoking. If they show interest we should either refer or signpost them to the local smoking cessation programme or provide information on the national telephone helpline/Website. We don’t need to have all the answers. It is about providing the information to direct people to existing services that can support them. If they are not interested in changing their behaviours, they will soon tell us. It is their choice how they live their lives and we have no right to judge them.



image Reflection point


Reflect back on previous placements/experiences. What health promotion opportunities were there and what could you have done differently?


NMC Domain 1: 1.3; 1.8


NMC Domain 2: 2.6


NMC Domain 3: 3.5


NMC Domain 4: 4.1



How survival rates can be improved


As well as preventing cancers in the first place, detecting cancers early in their development also reduces the risk of death. The majority of cancers are identified by individuals after they notice a change in their body appearance or function. When the sign or symptom has become noticeable, they seek medical advice. Unfortunately by this point the cancer has often become sizable and may have spread, making it difficult to treat, and the overall outcome may be less successful.



image Activity


Talk to a patient with cancer (who is happy to share their story). Find out about the initial signs and symptoms they experienced prior to diagnosis.


Alternatively, listen to a patient’s story on the healthtalkonline.org Website, for example: http://www.healthtalkonline.org/Cancer/​Colorectal_Cancer/Topic/1061/ (accessed November 2011)


NMC Domain 1: 1.4


NMC Domain 2: 2.3


NMC Domain 3: 3.2; 3.5; 3.7


Early detection of cancer depends on people knowing what to look for and seeking prompt advice from their doctor (Box 3.1). Education is essential for people to understand how the body works; knowing what is normal for our own bodies helps us detect when something changes. Fear can play a large part in delaying seeking help and is often driven by ‘I don’t want to know’ or ‘they won’t be able to do anything for me’. These feelings may be based on previous family experiences or out-of-date information. It is important to educate people that cancer can often be treated and have a good outcome if it is detected and treated early, emphasising that it is vitally important to note any changes in body function or appearance.



Box 3.1 Signs of cancer for men and women




image An unusual lump or swelling anywhere on the body


image A change in the size, shape or colour of a mole


image A sore that won’t heal after several weeks


image An unexplained pain or ache that lasts longer than 4 weeks


image A cough or croaky voice that lasts longer than 3 weeks


image Unexplained weight loss or heavy night sweats


image An unusual breast change


image Persistent difficulty swallowing or indigestion


image Problems passing urine


image Blood in urine


image Blood in bowel motions


image A change to more frequent bowel motions that lasts longer than 6 weeks


image A mouth or tongue ulcer that lasts longer than 3 weeks


image Bleeding from the vagina after the menopause or between periods

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  3. Receiving treatment
  4. Transferable skills for future placements

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Feb 25, 2017 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on How the cancer situation can be improved

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