Impairments_08

Cancer
Statistics
 One in eight deaths worldwide is due to cancer… it is the second leading cause of death in economically developed countries (following heart disease) and the third leading cause of death in developing countries (following heart disease and diarrheal diseases)
 Worldwide, the three most common cancer sites are also the three leading causes of cancer deaths (breast, lung and bronchus, and prostate).
 While more than half of all new cancers and cancer deaths worldwide are potentially preventable, anyone can develop cancer, with the risk of diagnosis increasing with age
What is cancer?
 Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells that can affect any body system.
 Cancer is caused by multiple mutations in the genes that control cell division. Normal body cells grow and divide in a coordinated manner, while cancer cells multiply out-of-control, overpowering the growth-control mechanism. These cancer cells destroy adjacent normal tissue and spread to other body parts. Secondary cancerous cells (metastases) develop and destroy cellular structure of the organ at the new site A tumor is a growth of new cells (neoplasm) having no useful function. A benign tumor will remain at the site of its origin, while a malignant tumor has the potential to spread to other tissues.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmFEoCFDi-w
How does cancer spread?
 If the cells travel through the lymph system, they may end up in nearby lymph nodes (small, bean-sized collections of immune cells) or they may spread to other organs. More often, cancer cells that break off from the main tumor travel through the bloodstream. Once in the blood, they can go to any part of the body
 Cancer cells have to go through several steps to spread to new parts of the body:
 1. They have to be able to break away from the original tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymph system, which can carry them to another part of the body.
 2. They need to attach to the wall of a blood or lymph vessel and move through it into a new organ.
 3. They need to be able to grow and thrive in their new location.
 4. They need to be able to avoid attacks from the body’s immune system.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcigJn8UJNQ
 A physician may detect cancer as a result of conducting a screening test (imagining, x-ray, laboratory tests, pathology reports from a biopsy, surgical removal of a tumor)
Warning signs
 The seven warning signs of cancer may be symptoms of advanced stages of cancer and require aggressive treatment: unusual bleeding or discharge, a lump or thickening in or under skin tissue, change in size or color of a wart or mole, sores that do not heal, change in bowel and bladder habits, chronic hoarseness or nagging cough, and chronic indigestion or difficulty swallowing.
Treatments
 The primary cancer treatments consist of one or a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
 With each, a person’s functioning is temporarily or permanently affected.
 Surgery: the tumor and surrounding tissue are removed
 Radiation therapy: weakens or destroys cancer cells, or controls symptoms of recurrent cancers and relieves pain.
 Chemotherapy: markedly reduces platelet cells that bleeding episodes become cause for concern.
Purpose of therapeutic recreation
 TR specialists address the psychosocial impacts of cancer. Clients fear of death and recurrence of the disease, their anticipation of unbearable chronic pain, and the side effects of treatment create anxiety, frustration, and feelings of insecurity.
 TRSs attempt to design programs that provide diversionary relief; promote health and well- being; manage grief, depression, and end- of- life issues; and facilitate social involvement and continued peer and family support.
Survivor stories/things that were learned from this trial
 Although many deaths occur because of cancer there are also many survivors as well. This video captures Rod Echols journey with cancer, and how he managed to stay positive during treatment and after.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_0TIjp2zNE
 This woman explains how God helped her be strong and refine her as her whole family was affected by cancer.
 https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/the-refiners-fire