Emmanuel Rincon
Abstract
This literature review focuses on answering how cancer affects patients psychological
health and how the treatment is including this component into treating the patient as a whole.
Using the statistical data collected in the last fourteen years, that reveals the reasons for the
larges targeted demographics in the United States. Acknowledging that there are cultural
differences that affect the outcome of cases early prevention and their treatment. Prevention
methods are intensively being implemented in the United States for the past two decades. History
helps us understand the priority to continues the development of cancer treatment. The evolution
of cancer treating methods can further be expanded with technology and the reach for other
fields in science to contribute to the cause. Among those recognizable institutions UTEP stands
someones life out of proportion. Even though there have been great advances in medical
treatments in the last twenty years there are still an unknown regimen being developed. The
severe effects of cancer range from physiological to psychological problems. These predicaments
could occur during and after receiving effective treatment. Cho (2013) conveyed that cancer
patients overall well-being can be compromised due to the fact of signs like anxiety, depression,
fatigue, sleep difficulties, and the fear of recurrence. Recent research has been targeting the
effects after cancer that challenges the patients quality of life (pg. 877). The most common
cancer type in the United States over the last few years has been colorectal and breast cancer.
According to The American Cancer Society, there is an increase in people being diagnosed and
there is a decrease in deaths caused by cancer. Due to the fact that there is more awareness to
early detection and preventive methods. Nevertheless, there is a wide space between
accomplishing to over through cancer in the US and the current statistics. The purpose of this
literature review is to attempt to answer the uncertainties that cancer brings to people
College Student to the evolving of cancer treatments. The University of Texas has a great
involvement in cancer research that could benefit several disciplines. Analyzing different genres
that focus on the topic of implementing psychological treatment for cancer. Targeting the
1. What demographic is more susceptible to by diagnosed with any type of cancer and
how does it differ from other ethnic groups?
2. How has the different method of treatment have evolved in the previous twenty
years?
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3. Does Mental health an essential component for the cancer treatment to be effective
or is cancer only physiological?
4. What are the contributions that UTEP is making towards cancer research?
What demographic is more susceptible to by diagnosed with any type of cancer and how does it
differ from other ethnic groups?
gender. Collected data shows that over the period of fourteen years the incidence rates in all
cancer types has target one specific group in society. The most affected demographic is white
males and females in the United States with significantly high rates through a constant number of
years from 1999-2013 as showed in figure 1.1 below. Even though this group has more than
400,000 incident cases each year, fortunately the mortality rate is drastically lower. The two
types of cancer that are associated with this group are breast and colorectal cancer. Most of the
cases are detected in early stages having great survival possibilities. The percentage of survive
with a stage one cancer is 90% and stage two has an 80% when located in a breast. Differently
colorectal cancer has a lower survival percentage but when detected early there is a greater range
of treatment options. The following group that is more likely to be diagnosed is Black males and
females. It is not surprising to find these two groups on top of the rates because they are the
largest populations in the U.S. What is surprising is that many minorities including African
American, Hispanics, Asian American, and Native American that are being diagnosed have the
Could it be that members of these minorities are not getting diagnosed due to a lack of
medical attention? This means that while these other ethnic groups have less cancer diagnoses
they also have less chance for early detection. Cultural differences can be a factor in how
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specific groups can become more susceptible to cancer mortality. According to Adler &Page
(2008) there are cultural differences that should be considered to assist the patient as a whole. It
would be impossible to deliver high quality cancer care without addressing patients specific
needs. Cultural differences are placed into two basic categorizes, genetically and environmental
aspects. Every person has unique genetic material that could contribute to developing some sort
of physical or mental disease (pg. 563). the reality is that there could be a greater pattern in the
environmental experiences of a person. Nurture seems to have a stronger face than nature when it
comes to this topic. This is strongly influenced by Henselmans (2010) which study the areas of
life styles, health care, and education in different cultural groups. Causes for cancer have not yet
been determined but the improvement in these three areas has been correlated to be beneficial to
cancer patients, (pg. 569).The sense of education is among the needs that patients struggle to
meet. These educational methods regard the understanding of their cancer diagnoses, their
treatment plan, copping skills, nutrition, and psycho-education to manage stress that emanates
Figure 1.1 This chart shows the incidence rates of all cancer cites combined in the last fourteen year.
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How has the different method of treatment have evolved in the previous century?
Time and Technology have a positive relationship when it comes to progress. As the world
has evolved it has transformed various aspects of life. Technology has the leading edge in the
tools used to promote advances in science. Cancer treatment has been part of the fields that
technology has significantly benefited. The Methods for treating this gruesome illness are now
reliable and well researched. There has been a great breakthrough in medicine and procedures
helping to safe a greater number of cancer patients. The oldest method for treating cancer is
surgically, tracing back to ancient times. Hunt (2016) stated that before anesthesia the process
of undergoing surgery was painful and in many cases fatal (1:17 minutes). Forwarding to more
relative times until the 1970 extensive surgery had to be performed in order to diagnose a person
with cancer. Surgeons had to open the affected area to detect the damage, taking samples of the
abnormalities to further testing. Often cancer was detected until a very advance stage where
medical intervention could cause a faster spreading of the melanoma. Today the computerized
tomography also known as (CT scan) has made surgery much easier, giving the ability to
visualize a tumors location and size. Surgeons could now have a clear view on the tumor to
strategize their approach. An initial study of the CT scan of M.D. Andreson Hospital and Tumor
institute (1972) predicted the extraordinary results that this machine could help obtain. Claiming
that it would fill in the blank that for many years surgical medicine was missing. In the other
hand chemo and radiation therapy have also greatly developed in the past couple of decades.
Reducing the extreme surgical measures that had to be taken before. Breast cancer is an example
of how these two practices have enhanced. Twenty years ago mastectomy was the most popular
surgical procedure to obtain better care. Now with the amelioration of chemo and radiation
therapy its possible to preserve as much of the breast as possible. This advance has redefined the
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struggles of a female breast cancer survivor. The amputation of the beast is one of the causes of
many women to suffer from depression or other psychological distress. The relief of cancer pain
produces other uncertainties in the stability of an individual, according with Tung (2016) the
after treatment affect quality of life for various reasons. The side effects of these treatments are
half of the reasons peoples life quality is disrupted. Technology has assisted these limitations
with additional preventing medications that alleviate nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and other
symptoms. There is not a cure for cancer but the evolution of these treatments can supplement
patient with relief throughout their fight until science finds other alternatives (pg. 893).
Does mental health an essential component for the cancer treatment to be effective or is cancer
only physiological?
individual to maintain full control of their emotional being. The effects in a cancer diagnose are
biological, physical, and psychological. These three areas need to be addressed in order for the
patient successfully overcome cancer. In many cases the medical system has ignored the
the benefits in asking their patients how are they adapting to the idea of them having cancer. A
survey conducted in medical visits Cerezo (2014) measured the positivity and negative responses
that a person would gradually develop over a lapse of visits. The findings simply communicated
that positive patients had better stress management reflecting on their collaboration with
treatment and self-efficacy. Their positivity had common ground, most of the patients were
affiliated with their spirituality or a support groups. Attending a support group provides hope to
those that have lost their way in the process. In contrary negative attitudes often makes a person
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magnify the pain and stress they are experiencing. The important fact here is that psychological
issues can predetermine patients to not want to treat their physical problems. Psychology is not
only the way people behave but the mental cognitive processes. If a person sets their mind to a
negative idea the entire experience could become extra overwhelming. Long (2012) explains in
his YouTube video that cancer is harsh and cruel to the body but devastating to the mind.
Similarly Cho (2013) defines the typical symptoms that are synthesized in people with
cancer. These are mention at the beginning of the review but its important to address in detailed.
The entire list is very acceptable for situations of high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and
fear are the most difficult to manage. The unknown brings anxiety to the persons most rational
thoughts including their decision making. This can obstruct the significance of correct treatment
time and method. Another symptom is depression that causes the rapid deterioration of the
persons self-goals to survive. Cho said that depression is the number one factor of decline in
people that lack a strong back support in family members or intimate friends. The prevention of
these two symptoms can motivate patients to finish their treatments. Even after the remission
stage begins the psychological problems can continue. The fear of the disease recurring could be
as bad as the initial diagnoses. In any given time that person can feel misunderstand or
abandoned by their physician (pg. 589). The importance of maintaining communication with
doctors, support groups, social workers, and family can undoubtedly result in a lifesaving
strategy.
What are the contributions that UTEP is making towards cancer research?
The University of Texas in El Paso has been recognized among the top fifteen institutions in
the nation that are making innovative contributions in cancer research. In 2016 The Lung Cancer
Research Foundation awarded UTEP with $150.000, to continue developing the study of new
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drugs targeting cell death drug resistance. Conducting an email interview with Rachid Skouta
Ph.D. research assistant professor better helped understand the purpose of the promising
contributions. In lung cancer as in other cancer types the drug treatments in chemo attacts all
cells in the body killing cancer and healthy cell. Skouta found a common protein found in lung
cancer mutated cells that has not been researched before. The notion of this protein could help
create a drug that healthy cell could resist. The composition of cancer cells has been studied for
couple of decades but a cure has not yet been found because of the diversity in Cancer cells
unpredictable behavior. Asking Skouta how his findings narrows the way to finding a cure he
said It is very important to understand, at the molecule level, how a set of specific proteins may
be the cause of some specific diseases like lung cancer, Skouta explained. These proteins were
never researched to find out more about their enzymatic role on drug resistance. We found a
specific protein that was never uncovered or never investigated in this field. It seems like
UTEP has a great deal of responsibility to expand the knowledge of this Protein. The selection of
this border area to conduct primary investigations is a wide opportunity to consider in career
focusing among UTEP students. Rachid Skouta is interested in recruiting a greater population of
undergraduates with chemistry, pharmacology, biology and biomedical focus. Hunt (2016)
asserted that the cure for cancer can possibly be found in this century because of the interest of
institutions that are willing to research. This claim has no objective proof but there will be
Conclusion
Overall this review gives a quick background on cancer history and the expected
future progress. The authors help us understand the importance in the progress this field
has made since ancient times. How the different types of methods to cure this disease have
evolve in the past twenty years. Contributing facts about the Incident rates and how they
psychologically and for this reason treatment should include these three areas. Fortunately
UTEP is making a difference in this field. An interview shows how UTEP faculty and
References
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(2010). Personal control over the cure of breast cancer: Adaptiveness, underlying beliefs
Davis, J. L., Buchanan, K. L., Katz, R. V., & Green, B. L. (2012). Gender differences in cancer
doi:10.1177/1557988311425853
Cho, D., Park, C. L., & Blank, T. O. (2013). Emotional approach coping: Gender differences on
Dolbeault, S., Cayrou, S., Brdart, A., Viala, A. L., Desclaux, B., Saltel, P., & ... Dickes, P.
doi:10.1002/pon.1440
Tung, H., Chao, T., Lin, Y., Wu, S., Lee, H., Ching, C., & ... Lin, T. (2016). Depression, fatigue,
and QoL in colorectal cancer patients during and after treatment. Western Journal Of
Adler, N. E., Page, A., & National Institue of Medicine. (2008). Cancer care for the whole
patient :Meeting psychosocial health needs. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute. (1972). Rehabilitation of the cancer patient;a
World Health Organization. (1986). Cancer pain relief. Geneva: World Health Organization.
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The Psychological effects of childhood cancer (2012) Jacob Long. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mjU0gkCpcE&t=315s