ABSTRACT
The surgical period of the treatment of lung cancer is gruelling for the patient. Close to the patient from the pre-operative care onwards, nursing teams take turns in listening and providing technical care through to the patient's discharge. The optimal treatment of pain favours the early rehabilitation of the patient.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Bronchogenic/nursing , Carcinoma, Bronchogenic/surgery , Lung Neoplasms/nursing , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Nurse's Role , Pulmonary Surgical Procedures/nursing , Carcinoma, Bronchogenic/rehabilitation , Home Care Services/supply & distribution , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/rehabilitation , Monitoring, Physiologic/methods , Monitoring, Physiologic/nursing , Postoperative Care/methods , Postoperative Care/nursing , Preoperative Care/methods , Preoperative Care/nursing , Pulmonary Surgical Procedures/rehabilitationSubject(s)
Hospice Care/standards , Palliative Care/standards , Respite Care/standards , Rural Health Services/standards , Carcinoma, Bronchogenic/nursing , Health Services Accessibility/standards , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/nursing , Male , Middle Aged , Rural Health , Terminally Ill , United StatesSubject(s)
Attitude to Death , Carcinoma, Bronchogenic/nursing , Lung Neoplasms/nursing , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
The preceding review of bronchogenic carcinoma and our own experience with lung cancer patients, indicate that long-term survival of these patients has only minimally improved. Advanced lung cancer does not significantly respond to the current treatment armamentarium, but present research and clinical trials of such new treatments as immunotherapy and interferon therapy may give hope for the future. At present our biggest weapon against lung cancer is still the elimination of cigarette smoking. Until we achieve this unlikely goal or greatly improve our success in treating the disease, we will need to continue our commitment to assist the patient with lung cancer in achieving the highest quality of life.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Bronchogenic/nursing , Lung Neoplasms/nursing , Carcinoma, Bronchogenic/complications , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/complications , Pain/drug therapy , Palliative Care , Pneumonia/etiology , Terminal CareABSTRACT
Despite much research and clinical application of various treatment modalities, the five-year survival rate in bronchogenic carcinoma is very poor. With over 90,000 lung cancer deaths recorded in 1977, and over 100,000 deaths estimated in 1980, we should emphasize prevention as well as cure in our daily patient contacts. Patients particularly at high risk are (a) men over 45 years of age with more than 10 pack-years of smoking, (b) patients (men and women) with chronic cough, recent pneumonia, or hemoptysis. (c) Patients with a stable solitary nodule, (d) patients with occupational exposure. Hopefully, with prevention, early diagnosis, and improved treatment, our role in management of the lung cancer patient will be easier. Management of the patient with bronchogenic carcinoma will follow in the second part of this article.
