Article review
This article describes in detail the experiences of women suffering from breast cancer with chemotherapy treatments. Some of the problematic experiences explained are, problems with body image, negative emotions, depression, social dysfunction and physical problems. Breast cancer patients also experience dysfunction in sexual relationships, marriage and family dysfunction. The authors have also provided good information on the method of data analysis and collection used in the article (Nizamli et al , 2011).
The article also purports that vitamin C and E supplements are helpful in the protection of some side effects of anticancer drugs. However, the authors do not give any statistical data to support their theory (Nizamli et al, 2011). .
The information provided in this article is very beneficial to breast cancer patients. The article explains how patients can cope with a recurrence of Breast cancer and the interventions, and measures that breast cancer survivors can use to improve their health and wellbeing. These interventions and measures are not backed by statistical data (Nizamli et al, 2011). .
The researchers used a nursing intervention strategy adopted from Orem’s self-care theory as a framework. The nursing intervention was investigated on its impacts on the coping abilities of women suffering from breast cancer during and after undergoing cancer therapy. The interventions included the designing of behaviors that supported the ability of the patient to adapt and interact with radiotherapy treatments (Nizamli et al, 2011). .
The researchers associated oxidative stress, excess body weight, BMI and dietary intake to cancer treatment and diagnosis. These factors have huge impacts on nutritional counseling for prevention of cancer and it s complications. The researchers investigated the dietary intake of cancer patients before and undergoing surgery for the prevention of weakness due to cancer treatments and cancer medication (Nizamli et al, 2011). .
Depression was found to be a major affective disorder of cancer patents. This article states that an understanding the risk factors to the development of depression is essential in its prevention. These factors include distressing life events, insomnia, hopelessness, ambivalence, social dysfunction, and negative emotional expression (Nizamli et al, 2011). .
The risk of development of cancer is one in eight women in the course of a woman lifetime. The authors argue that the risk to the development of cancer can be minimized if women can be proactive in reducing their risks to cancer development. The main risk factors to cancer are multifactorial including weight, age, hormonal imbalances, exposure to toxins and diet (Nizamli et al, 2011).
Systemic therapy consisting of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological agents are the new modern treatment of breast cancer. Systemic therapy and adjunct therapy have enabled the conservation of breast during breast surgery and less extensive surgery in breast therapy treatments (Nizamli et al, 2011).
Awareness and contact of breast cancer patients with self-help groups varies hospital wide. The researchers found in this study that patient self-help groups enhances healing and prevents the reemergence of the disease (Nizamli et al, 2011). .
Using statistical data on metastasis of breast cancer, the researchers observed that referrals occurred in the late disease trajectories of patients, and the total referrals were lower than expected. They therefore proposed that palliative care teams to be an integral part of patients care with breast cancer that has metastasized (Nizamli et al, 2011). .
The researchers also assessed sexual dysfunction of women before and after treatment utilizing the female sexual function index to determine the factors that cause poor sexual dysfunction after cancer therapy (Nizamli et al, 2011).
Breast cancers are the most widespread type of cancer in women. However, the number of breast cancer survivors has increased due to improvements in treatment. Rehabilitative treatments can reduce the side effects of treatments and maintain life quality of patients. 13. 2 percent of women born nowadays will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the future (Nizamli et al, 2011). .
This article also describes the need for breast cancer awareness through awareness campaigns, breast cancer screening, the use of oral contraceptives and hormonal replacement therapy in treatment of cancer. This article also describes mortality rate in women. The conversion of the relative risks of breast cancer into the absolute risk can help in advising women into making important decisions on breast cancer risk reduction(Nizamli et al , 2011).
Reference
Nizamli, F, et al (2011). “Experiences of Syrian women with breast cancer regarding
Chemotherapy: A qualitative study”. Nursing and Health Sciences (2011), 13, 481–487
