Discussion: Psychosocial Aspects of Cancer responses
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SOCIAL WORK
SOCW 6205 – MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK II
Discussion: Psychosocial Aspects of Cancer responses
Cancer is often synonymous with fear, uncertainty, and death. A diagnosis of cancer begins a long journey that affects physical health, mental well-being, and relationships with loved ones. Although cancer care today often provides advanced medical treatment, psychosocial issues may not be adequately addressed (Artherholt & Fann, 2012). This failure may compromise the effectiveness of overall cancer management.
Oncology social workers play an integral role in cancer care in multiple settings. It is common for oncology social workers to engage in individual, family, and group intervention. In addition to providing direct patient care, oncology social workers provide valuable public health interventions, such as health education programs and policymaking.
By Day 5
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ postings see below. (½ page and 2 refereces each)
in one or more of the following ways:
• Expand on your colleague’s post regarding psychosocial effects of cancer on patients and caregivers by providing a different perspective.
• Suggest different ways you might address the psychosocial needs of a cancer patient.
• Explain any insights you gained from the posts submitted by your colleagues.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources and the current literature using appropriate APA format and style.
Be sure to support your responses with specific references to the resources and the current literature using appropriate APA format and style.. If you are using additional articles, be sure to provide full APA-formatted citations for your references both within the text and on the referencing section. PLEASE ALWAYS INCLUDE THE REQIRED TEXTBOOK as part of the references and if possible some of the REQUIRED READING if applicable. Please always start by referring to THE TEXTBOOK, below
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Hospital Social Work 2006
Author: Beder, Joan
ISBN-13: 978-0-415-95067-1
ISBN-10: 0-415-95067-8
Edition/Copyright: 2006
Publisher: Routledge N. Y.
REQUIRED
Handbook of Health Social Work 3RD 19
Author: Gehlert, Sarah
ISBN-13: 978-1-119-42072-9
ISBN-10: 1-119-42072-5
Edition/Copyright: 3RD 19
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
REQUIRED
Social Work in Health Settings: Practice in Context 4TH 16
Author: McCoyd, Judith L.M.
ISBN-13: 978-1-138-92436-9
ISBN-10: 1-138-92436-9
Edition/Copyright: 4TH 16
Publisher: Routledge N. Y.
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Beder, J. (2006). Hospital social work: The interface of medicine and caring. New York, NY: Routledge.
• Chapter 8, “Oncology Social Work with Adults” (pp. 81–94)
Gehlert, S., & Browne, T. (Eds.). (2019). Handbook of health social work (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
• Chapter 19, “Oncology Social Work” (pp. 440-458)
Meuche, G. (2017). An uninvited guest: Addressing students’ death anxiety in oncology social work field placement. Field Educator, 7(1), 1-7.
Schroepfer, T. (2011). Oncology social work in palliative care. Current Problems in Cancer, 35(6), 357–364 [Erratum. Current Problems in Cancer, 36(1), 20].
Kent, E. E., Parry, C., Montoya, M. J., Sender, L. S., Morris, R. A., & Anton-Culver, H. (2012). “You’re too young for this”: Adolescent and young adults’ perspectives on cancer survivorship. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 30(2), 260– 279.
National Association of Social Workers. (2005). NASW standards for social work practice in health care settings. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=fFnsRHX-4HE%3D&portalid=0
Zafar, S. Y. (2018). Price of cancer care and its tax on quality of life. Journal of Oncology Practice, 14(2), 69-72.
Zavagli, V., Miglietta, E., Varani, S., Pannuti, R., Brighetti, G. & Pannuti, F. (2016). Associations between caregiving worries and psychophysicial well-being. An investigation on home- cared cancer patients family caregivers. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24(2), 857-863.
Optional Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004). A national action plan for cancer survivorship: Advancing public health strategies. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/survivors/pdf/plan.pdf
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Psychosocial Services to Cancer Patients. (2008). The psychosocial needs of cancer patients. In N. E. Adler & A. E. K. Page (Eds.), Cancer care for the whole patient: Meeting psychosocial health needs. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK4011/
Cheryl Lester
RE: Discussion – Week 10
COLLAPSE
Post an explanation of a type of cancer and how it might affect the health and well-being of patient/caregivers.
Colon cancer is a cancer located at the lower part of the digestive tract. Early cases can begin as noncancerous polyps. Often these polyps can be detected through screening. Medical experts recommend screenings for those at high risk or over the age of fifty. Colorectal cancer symptoms depend on the size and location of the cancer. This type of cancer treatment depends on the size, location and how far the cancer has spread. Common treatment include surgery to remove the cancer, chemotherapy and radiation .Psychological distress and poor quality of life in patient’s with colon cancer and their caregivers include, low social support, low optimism, and negative threat appraisal (American Society, 2013).
Explain the psychosocial effects of the cancer on the patient and caregivers.
Psychological distress is linked to the psychosocial distress patient’s with colon cancer experience. Patient’s may experience distress in the form of anxiety, depression and traumatic stress symptoms. Furthermore, anxiety and traumatic stress are directly related to the pain and gastrointestinal distress. It should be noted that research revealed that various psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation training and group therapy can reduce psychological distress, as well as improve self-esteem, optimism, social functioning and self-efficacy of colorectal cancer patients (Pereira,et. al., 2012).
Explain how psychosocial factors might impact a treatment care plan and management of the disease.
Patient’s who received only surgery as treatment, had lower levels of depression, anxiety and traumatic stress symptoms when compared with patients who received both surgery and chemotherapy or surgery plus radiotherapy. Caregivers of surgical patients demonstrated lower levels of state anxiety and traumatic stress symptoms when compared with other groups. Patients with more depression had partners who were more depressed. Patient’s with more depression had caregivers who were more depressed. Likewise, patient’s who received a diagnosis longer than 12 months had traumatic stress, intrusion and hyper- vigilance. Patients with illness recurrence showed more traumatic symptoms. Anxiety and depression were the main predictors for a patient’s quality of life. Traumatic stress was a predictor of symptom distress; pain/bowel pattern. Psychosocial factors influence whether patients accept mental health intervention. These factors play a powerful role in adherence to treatment care plans as it relates to depression (Lynch, et. al., 2008).
Explain how you would address psychosocial needs of cancer patients and caregivers
Psychosocial problems are more specifically the emotional stress of living with a diagnosis of cancer and its treatment, fear of cancer and its distress imposed by living with the day to day physical problems can create new or worsen pre-existing psychological distress for people for people living with cancer, their families and other informal caregivers. Physical and psychological impairments can also lead to substantial social problems such as the inability to work or fulfill other social roles. The best course of action for treating psychosocial stressors is through education, ( by developing and implementing coping strategies) cognitive behavioral therapy and peer support groups, this provides knowledge and support to both the patient and caregiver ( Pereira, et. al., 2012).
References
American Cancer Society (2013). Cancer facts and figures (2013). Retrieved from: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/document/document/acspc-036845.pdf
Lynch, B.M., Steginga, S. K., Hawkes, A. L., Pakenham, K.I., & Dunn, J. (2008). Describing and predicting psychological distress after colorectal cancer. Cancer, 111(6), 1363-1370
Pereira, M. G., Figueiredo, A. P., & Fincham, F. D. (2012). Anxiety, depression, traumatic stress and quality of life in colorectal cancer after different treatments: A study with Portuguese patients and their patients and their partners. European Journal of Oncology Nursing 16, 221-232.
2 days ago
Esi Essien
RE: Discussion – Week 10
COLLAPSE
Cancer is a class of diseases marked by unrestrained growth and spread of abnormal cells and the disease occurs when a cell in the body change to an abnormal state and starts to multiply uncontrollably, (Beder 2006). Cancer is also a common disease and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for millions of deaths yearly, (Gehlert, et al. 2019). According to Beder, (2006), nearly every family will have at least a member in each generation who will become ill with cancer and in the United States, cancer accounts for one in four deaths.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and according to the National Cancer Institute, there were 215,020 new cases of lung cancer and 161, 840 deaths from non-small-cell and small-cell lung cancer in 2008, (Raleigh 2010). Even though cigarette smoking is the major cause of lung cancer, there are other genetic and environmental factors such as genetic polymorphisms, prior lung disease, family history of lung cancer, diet, physical inactivity, and exposure to air pollution and cancer-causing agents such as second-hand smoke, asbestos, arsenic, and radon, (Raleigh 2010). Lung cancer impact individuals with the disease and their families mental and emotional well-being. This is because according to Raleigh, (2010), the psychological stresses of lung cancer are not limited strictly to the patient but also affect families, friends, and other caregivers.
Psychosocial effects of lung cancer on patient and caregivers
Cancer affects not only the patient but the family or caregivers as well and the illness go beyond the needs of the patient and extends to the whole family and it’s functioning, (Beder 2006). Newly diagnosed cancer patients experience different kinds of emotions such as shock, anxiety, fear, uncertainty, depression, and grief when cancer becomes part of their life, (Gehlert, et al. 2019). Individuals with lung cancer often experience the feeling of guilt, anxiety, depression, and stigma. It has been estimated that 15 percent to 44 percent of patients experience depression after being diagnosed with lung cancer, (Raleigh 2010). The stigma of lung cancer is due to it’s association with smoking and an estimate of 85 percent to 90 percent cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking, (Raleigh 2010). Patients with lung cancer experience pain and fatigue which may prevent them from working, continuing to function in their family role or engaging in certain social activities. As social interactions are restricted, the quality of life for the patient and his or her family is reduced.
The low survival rates of lung cancer patient also affects family members psychological well-being. Spouses or partners are specifically affected by the anticipation of death as well as death itself as a result may experience depression before and after patient’s death, (Raleigh). Caregivers also experience lack of social support, feelings of loneliness and helplessness as well as financial difficulties.
How psychosocial factors may affect treatment and management of lung disease
Research has shown that depression affects prognosis and quality of life among patients with lung cancer. It has also been hypothesized that depression affects mortality risk in lung cancer patients through poor adherence with lung cancer treatment, (Nakaya 2014). Depression has been reported to be strongly associated with poor clinical status, performance, and severity in clinical symptoms.
How I may address the psychosocial needs
As a medical social worker, I may address the psychosocial needs of a cancer patient and their families or caregivers by providing them with individual and group counseling sessions. The goal of providing a cancer patient and their families with individual counseling sessions is to teach them skills that may help them adjust or cope with changes associated with diagnosis and make plans for the future, (Beder 2006). Group counseling might also be useful by allowing the cancer patient or caregiver interact with and get emotional support and share information with those who have had or are having the same experience.
References
Beder, J. (2006). Oncology social work with adults. In hospital social work: The interface of medicine and caring (81-94). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203956120
Gehlert, S., & Browne, T. (Eds.). (2019). Oncology social work. In handbook of health social work (3rd ed., pp. 411-458). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119420743
Raleigh, Z. T. (2010). A biopsychosocial perspective on the experience of lung cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 28(1), 116-125. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347330903438990
Nakaya, N. (2014). Effect of psychosocial factors on cancer risk and survival. Journal of Epidemiology, 24(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.JE20130124
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