Good Example Of Comparison And Discussion Of Cancer Survivorship Issues Research Paper

Overview of the Survival Stories

Marie Botchie: Stage IIIB Breast Cancer Survivor
At 39 years old, Marie Botchie was diagnosed with stage IIIB Breast cancer in 2008. She had a double mastectomy. Her doctor informed her that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes as well as her bloodstream. Her survival rate at the time was 49%. Through a support from her husband, who explored online sources on how integrative care services provided at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. After exploring these online sources, Marie had an appointment with an Oncologist, Dr. Citrin who provided her with an assurance that her cancer would be attacked in various dimensions using different strategies. Her treatment plan involved three main chemotherapy medications, which were delivered in a fractionated dose after a period of every three weeks. She was also subjected to eight weeks of radiation that incorporated Tomotherapy radiation techniques and a two dose final chemotherapy sessions. One of her doctors, Dr. Williams recommended and performed a complete hysterectomy on her after completing all the treatment plans. Marie asserts that her treatment plan was not only targeted to kill all the cancerous cells, but also prepare her psychologically for life after treatment. Her Doctors played a significant role in counseling and her how adapt to the living far from her family. Her family members were also provided with information on how Marie should eat and the specific diet she should be provided with. Even after a successful treatment, Marie says in her story that she has continued visiting CTCA for purposes of check-ups and also to access services such as nutrition information, acupuncture, massage and physical therapy. However, her Doctor has informed that she can stop visiting the care center owing to the fact that she is completely cured (www.cancercenter.com).

Rod Echols: Colorectal Cancer Stage III

In 2012, Rod Echols, a 38 year old man of African-American descent detected blood in her stool; when he visited his doctor, he was diagnosed with hemorrhoids. He says that he has a family history associated with colon cancer, a factor that affected him psychologically, wondering if he was also suffering from the same colon cancer. However, he immediately scheduled an appointment for colonoscopy. The colonoscopy revealed that he had a polyp in his colon, a positive indication of cancerous cells existence. After the colonoscopy procedure, Rod was referred to Surgeon who made attempts to remove the polyp through minimal surgical procedure. However, a new discovery was made indicating that the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. Through appropriate family support, Rod was able to access the CTCA facilities located in Chicago where he was provided with a comprehensive assistance from the qualified team at the facility, characterized by examination and treatment by different physicians. His treatment plan involved chemotherapy and radiation. At the initial stages, he was provided with Xeloda and currently he is taking a combination of oxaliplatin and xeloda. Rod attributed the success of his treatment to his wife, Keisha and his medical team, who provided him with the appropriate information and counseling sessions regarding the treatment process. The medical team also ensured that his wife, who takes care of him at their home, is involved in various discussions, specifically on how to take care of him i.e. feeding and the kind of physical activities he should engage in (www.cancercenter.com).

Discussion and Comparison of Survival Issues from the two Cancer Stories

Despite the fact that the two cases presented survival stories of patients who suffered from different cancer cells, it is apparent that there are similar survival issues that might have enhanced the survival rate of the affected persons. To begin with, both patients were at the stage III of their cancers, this stage is usually associated with low rate of survival and requires thorough treatment and management processes. In the case of Marie, quick actions were taken after realizing that she was suffering from stage IIIB breast cancer, this was characterized by a series of tests, counseling and treatment processes, increasing her chances of survival and the ultimate complete treatment. The aspect of taking quick actions when handling a patient suffering from cancerous cells has been associated with an increased chance of survival. This is basically due to the fact that appropriate actions are usually implemented to prevent further spread of the cancerous cells from affecting the rest of the body. A similar case is also evident in Rod’s survival story; he detected blood on his stool and took immediate actions that led to diagnosis, counseling and treatment.
Another important issue emerging in the case of Marie Botchie and Rod Echols is the fact that they were provided with various forms of treatment; hence this might have had a significant positive impact on their treatment process. To begin with, both patients were provided with counseling sessions, giving them the psychological strength that they will survive. Marie was subjected to chemotherapy sessions, administered in fractions; additionally, she was subjected to radiation sessions and provided with adequate after treatment check-ups as well as counseling sessions, hence enhancing her treatment processes. Similar, Rods was subjected to a series of treatment that began by counseling and psychological support from the medical team; this was followed by a chemical therapy and radiation treatment plan.
Diet and lifestyle issues appear to a common survival aspect in both cases; both Rod and Marie’s families were provided with adequate training on how they should be fed and the specific diets that they should be provided with. Medical research indicates that the provision of appropriate diets and food materials to cancerous patients as well as survival is a crucial issue (Molassiotis, 4471). Doctors usually recommend certain food materials that are associated with i.e. providing patients with adequate energy through an enhanced cell regeneration process, thus faster recoveries (Molassiotis, 4471). On the other hand, psychological support is a common issue the two cancer survival stories; Marie was subjected to incidences of counseling and encouragement from his medical team and his family. Similarly, Rod was provided with counseling sessions that basically involved informing him of the consequences of certain aspects of treatment as well as encouraging him that the doctors will handle his problems from various perspectives to ensure that he is completely treated. In a research article published by the United Kingdom National Health Service, it is indicated that counseling, especially among breast cancer patients, doubles their survival chances (www.nhs.uk). This might have a significant positive impact in the survival case of Marie and Rod.
In summary, the two cases present various common issues that might have enhanced the survival rate of the two cancer survivors, Marie and Rod despite the fact that they were of different ages and suffered from different forms of cancer. It is apparent that various issues such as; seeking immediate and appropriate medication, proper diet, counseling and family support are common issues that are associated with increased chances of survival among cancer patients.

Work Cited

 
"Breast Cancer Counselling." - Health News. Web. 25 Mar. 2015. <http://www.nhs.uk/news/2008/11November/Pages/Counsellingbreastcancer.aspx>.
 
"Marie Botchie." - Breast Cancer Survivor. Web. 25 Mar. 2015. <http://www.cancercenter.com/community/survivors/marie-botchie/>.
Molassiotis, Alexander, et al. "Acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial." Journal of Clinical Oncology 30.36 (2012): 4470-4476.
 
"Rod Echols." - Colorectal Cancer Survivor. Web. 25 Mar. 2015. <http://www.cancercenter.com/community/survivors/rod-echols/>.