Cancer Survivorship, Article Review Example

Patient care within the context of survivorship after cancer care is an important step towards the discovery of new approaches to the treatment of cancer that may improve quality of life for patients. It is the responsibility of patients who have survived to carry on the message to others and to make the most of the opportunities that they have to make a difference in the lives of others. The article entitled “Childhood cancer survivor finds her voice” demonstrates the importance of children who survive cancer sharing their stories in order to help others to overcome these obstacles at very young ages (American Cancer Society, 2012). The story of Brianna may go a long way in providing support to patients who need assistance and support in managing cancer when otherwise, their priorities would involve managing school and extracurricular activities (American Cancer Society, 2012). This story serves as a lesson to others that overcoming cancer is a real possibility and provides a basis for examining new ideas and approaches to enabling children to better manage a cancer diagnosis and the treatment cycle.

Brianna has learned throughout her journey that she needs to find ways to manage her condition and to endure the treatments that are required; therefore, she has learned that acupuncture and massage therapy are very helpful in enabling her to manage some of her nausea effectively because she experiences this side effect rather frequently, which requires further acknowledgement so that she is able to endure these episodes more effectively (American Cancer Society, 2012). For patients who have been diagnosed with different forms of cancer during childhood and who are able to survive with treatment, it is very important to recognize the value of different methods that will enable them to manage their symptoms effectively and to overcome the difficult challenges of treatment, particularly chemotherapy, as it causes often devastating side effects that are difficult to endure and which require immediate attention (American Cancer Society, 2012).

The importance of developing strategies to address the side effects of cancer treatments are essential in a young patient’s ability to overcome these conditions and to improve the quality of their lives in the process. It is important for patients such as Brianna to make a difference in the lives of others by sharing her story and advocating for alternatives such as massage and acupuncture in order to improve quality of life and to endure these side effects as they occur (American Cancer Society, 2012). Most importantly, the patient will be able to lead by example and provide a basis for exploring other areas that will function as effective means of understanding how to manage a childhood cancer diagnosis and to address options that will counteract the side effects of treatment in an effective manner.

Brianna’s ability to reach out to others at the hospital and to share her story is inspirational for other patients because she is able to relate to their circumstances and what they might be experiencing in the hospital. This also enables her to share some of the lessons that she has learned regarding coping with the symptoms of treatments such as chemotherapy so that other patients will be able to address their own symptoms more effectively. This enables Brianna to have greater confidence in her abilities and also to be successful in working with other patients who are also suffering in a similar fashion. By integrating Brianna’s experiences into discussions with other patients, it is possible that therapies such as acupuncture and massage may be integrated into their own self-care management plans so that patients are able to better overcome the symptoms that they are experiencing and to improve their quality of life over time. A diagnosis of cancer is daunting for any patient, but a child is affected in a very specific way; therefore, Brianna’s story is likely to have a positive and lasting impact on other patients and may inspire them to take charge of their conditions and to address their symptoms in a more direct manner.

References

American Cancer Society (2012). Childhood cancer survivor finds her voice. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/treatment/survivorshipduringandaftertreatment/storiesofhope/childhood-cancer-survivor-finds-her-voice