MEDICINE AND HEALTH 4
Running head: MEDICINE AND HEALTH 1
Cancer and How It Affects Family Members
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As any person living with cancer perceives, a cancer diagnosis furthermore distresses family members and friends. Sometimes, the composite feelings and lifestyle alterations caused by cancer and the accorded treatment become as formidable for others in one’s life as they are for himself. Apprehending the potential modifications in the manner in which s/he relates to specific friends and family members may help him/her take steps to snowball healthy, mutually supportive correspondence during this challenging time (Given, & Kozachik, 2001). The effect of cancer on one’s family hinges on things such as the sick family member as well as the age and number of the dependents. Liability for finances, taking care of the children among many other things has to be reconsidered. Most common areas of alteration during health complication are responsibilities, emotional needs, physical needs, sexual health and intimacy, roles and plans.
Cancer refers to a collection of the related malady. In all types of cancer, the subtle body’s cells start to divide without ceasing and spread into adjoining tissues. Cancer can begin almost wherever in the human body, which composes of trillions of cells. Usually, human cells multiply and grow to produce new cells as the body require them. When cells embellish old or become defaced, they die, and new cells occupy their place. When cancer grows, their orderly operation breaks down. As cells produce more and more abnormal, damaged or, old cells endure when they ought to die, and new cells develop when they are not required. These extra cells may divide without terminating and may institute growths called tumors (Given, & Kozachik, 2001).
Cancer is a genetic malady—that is, it is promoted by changes to genes that steer the way the cells operate, mainly how they develop and divide. Genetic alterations that foster cancer can be inherited from the parents. They can also emerge during an individual’s lifetime as a result of mistakes that occur as cells divide or because of defacement to DNA caused by definite environmental subjections (Robinson, 1992). Cancer-causing surrounding exposures include fabrics, such as the chemicals present in tobacco smoke and radiations such as ultraviolet rays coming from the sun.
Cancer has a prime effect on long-term partnerships and marriages. The impact of cancer varies from one couple to the other. For some couples, confronting the challenges of cancer cooperatively strengthens their correspondence. For others, the pressure of cancer may generate new problems and aggravate existing problems. Cancer often alters roles. A person who has dominantly been running or serving as the caregiver can have difficulty accepting a more dependent position. Or a family member who has not succored in those roles may scuffle to take charge and give care (Given, & Kozachik, 2001).
In most relationships, every partner handles certain chores. One partner may cook and do yard work, while the other does cleaning and pays bills. If cancer and its treatment present one feeling tired or incapable of performing their usual tasks, their partner may have to acquire those duties. If one must stop performing duties, their partner may involve going back to work or work additional hours while feasibly also taking on caregiving responsibilities (Robinson, 1992). However, critics suggest that well-managed cancer may not alter responsibilities, roles, physical needs, sexual health and intimacy, and emotional needs. Still, most people are capable of keeping working while they are getting cancer treatment. Some individuals work their regular full-time schedules work while others work the same schedules with exceptional conditions, such as being closer to the office bathroom to deal with side effects. Others require a less demanding schedule, such as taking extra days off or working part-time.
References
Given, B. A., Given, C. W., & Kozachik, S. (2001). Family support in advanced cancer. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 51(4), 213-231.
Robinson, S. (1992). The family with cancer. European Journal of Cancer Care, 1(2), 29-33.