A Nursing Care Plan for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer can be defined as the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. The abnormal cells do not function like that of normal lung cells and thus do not develop into healthy lung tissue. As they grow, the abnormal cells tend to form tumors and interfere with the proper functioning of the lung, which is to provide oxygen to the entire body via the blood.

The cells in the body are made up of genetic material called deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Every time a mother cell undergoes cell division and splits into two daughter cells, the DNA is exactly duplicated. These new cells are identical to their mother cells. This is the method by which the body continually repairs itself and grows. New cells are born which replaces old cells.

Cancer occurs due to an error, or mutation, in a genetic combination of a cell. DNA mutations can be caused by many factors, mostly it is due to the normal aging process, and other times it can be due to environmental factors, such as smoking tobacco, breathing asbestos,  being exposed to radon gas. These factors that can lead to cancer are also known as carcinogens.

Primary lung cancer takes its form in the lungs itself.  Sometimes, people have cancer that travels from another part of the body or metastasize to the lungs. This type of cancer is known as secondary lung cancer as the lungs are a secondary site in comparison to the original or primary location of cancer. Like, for example, say breast cancer cells which travel to the lung are not lung cancer but is metastatic breast cancer, and will require the treatment as is given for breast cancer and not lung cancer.

The early stages of lung cancer do not specifically show any symptoms. It generally shows signs of its occurrence in the later stages when it is more developed.

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include:

A cough that does not go away, also cough laid in with blood even in small amounts, running short of breath, chest pain, and etcetera.

Lung cancer can be categorized into two types based on the appearance of the cells under a microscope.

The two types of lung cancer include-

1. Small cell lung cancer – Small cell lung cancer is found mostly in heavy smokers and is not as common as non-small cell lung cancer.
2. Non-small cell lung cancer – Non-small cell lung cancer is a term used to describe several types of lung cancers that behave in a similar way. This contains a proportion of the cell lung cancers types is mainly in the form of squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma.

Smoking tobacco- Smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer. About 80% of lung cancer deaths are the result of smoking. The risk for lung cancer amongsmokers is much more prevalent than among non-smokers. Passive smoking that is inhaling the smoke of others can also increase the risk of developing lung cancer.

1. Exposure to radon
Radon is a radioactive gas that results from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks. Radon is considered to be the second leading cause of lung cancer and is the leading cause among non-smokers.

2. Exposure to asbestos
Working with asbestos (such as in mines, mills, textile plants, places where insulation is used, and shipyards) increases the risk of lung cancer several times. Lung cancer risk massive amongst workers exposed to asbestos and who also smoke.  Exposure to large amounts of asbestos offers a  greater risk of developing mesothelioma which is the type of cancer that develops in the pleura (the lining surrounding the lungs).

Other risk factors include

• Exposure to other carcinogens ( agents that cause cancer) in the workplace
• Radioactive mineral ores like uranium
• Polluted Air
• Drinking water containing arsenic

Surgery

This is an option when cancer hasn’t spread too far in the body and is the best method for removing lung cancer.

Radiofrequency Ablation

For have non-small cell lung cancer and surgery is not an option, this treatment may be an option.

Some other options include Radiation and Chemotherapy.

Helping the lung cancer patient or nursing care plan for a lung cancer patient

Physiotherapists visit the patient’s home to begin the nursing care plan for lung cancer. For those who book a consultation, a doctor will visit their home and diagnose the condition by reviewing the medical record. Nursing care for lung cancer at home or pacifying care begins once the reports and condition have been reviewed, and nurses for lung cancer care are appointed for verified periods to patients.