Cancer is one of the most serious diseases. Patients with this ailment need special care. The correct psychological approach is of great importance. After all, people with malignant neoplasms are often emotionally unstable. The features of caring for cancer patients are described in sections of the article.
Therapy stages
Cancer pathologies require long-term treatment. First, the patient is in the hospital, where an examination, surgery and other medical measures are carried out.
Then he is discharged home. Before starting therapy, relatives should ask the doctor about the need to purchase drugs or conduct additional diagnostic procedures. The specialist, in turn, must inform the patient's family members about the features of caring for cancer patients, nutrition principles, hygiene measures. These aspects are determined by what form of cancer and at what stage is present in the person, and what treatment he receives. After a course of procedures in a hospital, the time for discharge comes. Relatives should take the patient to themselves as soon as possible. The hospital environment has a depressing effect on the physical and mental state. Properly organized care for cancer patients at home allows patients to be in a comfortable atmosphere.
Possible concerns
Relatives of an individual with a cancer pathology, of course, are in shock when they learn about the diagnosis of a loved one. They have many questions for doctors, one of which is: is it possible to become infected with a malignant neoplasm? To date, the exact causes of the disease are unknown. Experts say that infection with cancer is unlikely. However, many people avoid close contact with patients, and this deprives patients of the emotional support they need. The individual feels the nervousness of his relatives, and this contributes to the deterioration of already weakened health.
Similar situations are common. It should be remembered that caring for cancer patients requires a careful, tactful and sensitive approach to patients.
Difficulties encountered by relatives. Ways to overcome them
Close people who care for an individual with a cancer pathology are in a difficult situation. They have to combine caring for a relative with duties at work and domestic problems. Additional cash costs and negative experiences further aggravate the situation. Turning to a specialist in the field of psychology helps family members of the patient cope with the tests. It is advisable that relatives go to see a doctor with the patient. This allows you to accurately learn about medical procedures, areas of therapy, side effects of drugs. Patients may be shy to ask a specialist about treatment.
They fear that they will not be able to understand the doctor’s explanation.
What should relatives know?
When organizing home care for cancer patients, family members need to find out some aspects. Before going to the doctor, it is advisable to make a list of questions. Here are the most important ones:
- What medical measures should be taken to determine the form of cancer?
- What type of oncopathology is diagnosed, at what stage?
- What therapy is required?
- Are there other treatment options under compulsory health insurance or in private facilities?
- What are the side effects of drugs? Is it possible to soften them?
- How long does it take to carry out medical procedures?
- How often should events be held?
- In what situations do I need to see a doctor outside the time of admission?
The doctor's answers to these and other questions should be recorded.
Features of the physical care of relatives for cancer patients
Relatives of the patient should perform atypical actions: the elimination of signs such as nausea and vomiting, dressing, the use of medical devices, hygiene procedures. In order to effectively cope with responsibilities, it is necessary to write down in advance a list of tasks to be solved. It is important that the patient takes part in personal care. You can ask for help from other family members, from friends. Written information provided by the doctor, as well as medical devices, should be stored in a convenient place. To effectively care for patients with cancer, it is important to create an environment in the house that is as comfortable and safe as possible for the patient. He should have more room for movement. Handrails should be placed next to the bathtub and toilet, and a stool should be put in the shower. Relatives should know in advance how to use the necessary medical equipment. You can ask a nurse or doctor to write step-by-step instructions. It is necessary to clearly find out what drugs are given to the patient, their dosage. Medications should always be in a convenient place. Those close to you need to have instructions for medicines with them in order to know about the effect of the drugs on the body. If family members of the patient are not able to cope with all responsibilities, specially trained personnel should be hired to provide nursing care for cancer patients.
Features of observation and condition monitoring. Some aspects of the regime
Of great importance is the regular measurement of body weight. Weight loss is one of the symptoms of complications. The medical staff is also required to check the body temperature from time to time. All patient observation results should be documented.
It should be remembered that in case of development of metastases in the spinal column of a person is placed on a wooden shield, which is placed under the mattress. Some patients require short walks in the fresh air and regular ventilation. This aspect is important when organizing medical care for cancer patients with tumors in the lungs. The liquid, which is often released from the respiratory tract during an ailment, should be collected in the spittoon. These devices are washed daily in hot water, treated with turpentine and bleach. If laboratory tests are necessary, the biomaterial is placed in a vessel, which should also be regularly disinfected.
Diet features
An important rule of care for cancer patients is that they should be provided with nutritious, tasty and varied food.
It is necessary to exclude cold, hot, spicy, fried and heavy dishes. If the patient suffers from a malignant neoplasm of the stomach at a late stage, he is given easily digestible products (sour cream, cottage cheese, boiled fish, steamed broths, chopped fruits and vegetables, tea with sugar, liquid cereal dishes). In case of violation of patency of the digestive tract, the patient is prescribed a mixture. Sometimes you have to feed with a probe. Patients often experience stool retention. In this situation, intestinal lavage and laxatives are used (vaseline oil, rhubarb, magnesium sulfate). A diet of liquid and nutritious foods is recommended. If the patient is diagnosed with severe obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, they undergo surgery.
Difficulties associated with pain
One of the important features of caring for cancer patients is the need to eliminate severe discomfort. The tumor and its metastases cause extremely unpleasant sensations. The only method of getting rid of pain in the later stages is to use the drugs prescribed by the doctor.
If an individual is in a hospital or at home under the care of a nurse, medical staff need to follow the schedule for taking medication.
Psychological and ethical aspects
There are a number of rules that must be observed by the doctor and loved ones when communicating with the patient. Specialists are not recommended to inform the patient of the diagnosis. In the documents given to the individual, the terms related to oncology should be replaced with more neutral ones. Although the question of whether to tell the patient about the pathology is considered controversial. There is a category of patients who, having heard about the diagnosis, direct all their efforts to fight it. Other patients experience shock, lower their hands. Tactics of behavior of relatives should be based on the characteristics of the individual’s character. Doctors should also consider this aspect. For example, do not put people with severe forms of pathologies in the same ward with new arrivals, as well as those with an early stage. After discharge during the period of home care for the cancer patient, it is important not to allow the individual to become isolated. One must treat the relative kindly.
The disease should be mentioned only if necessary. Better to talk about topics related to family, work, plans and interests.