Cancer is a scary word for many. The National Cancer Institute has recently completed an epidemiological study
Question:
Cancer is a scary word for many. The National Cancer Institute has recently completed an epidemiological study that examines the potential risk and protective factors related to the presence of cancer. Countless individuals, however, are unaware of the indirect influences in their lives and environment that may put them at risk. Visit https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/ as a reference for answering the questions that follow Siobhan’s story.
Siobhan (pronounced shi-vawn), a 17-year-old American female, is an avid lacrosse player on her high school varsity team. She is physically active and eats a pretty well-balanced diet for her age. She was recently injured and had to sit out several games. The doctor finally cleared her and she is back on the field. Unfortunately, her knee is still swollen at the area of impact of the injury, but she does not tell anyone for fear of missing out on playing. Eventually, when the pain becomes too much she tells her parents, and they take her to the family doctor. He cannot find a reason for the pain and refers Siobhan to an orthopedic specialist, who runs some bloodwork. The specialist becomes concerned by Siobhan’s white blood cell count and refers her to an oncologist.
QUESTION 1
Given Siobhan’s age, which type of cancer would she be likely to be diagnosed with?
QUESTION 2
What are some protective factors Siobhan may already have in place that would help in her recovery?
QUESTION 3
Siobhan’s mother has become very protective since her daughter’s diagnosis and watches everything Siobhan eats and does. She is convinced that sugar may worsen Siobhan’s symptoms. How would you answer Siobhan’s mother’s concerns?
QUESTION 4
Siobhan’s father has become convinced that it is his fault his daughter has cancer because his father’s grandfather had cancer and ultimately died from the illness. He fully believes that cancer is hereditary, and thus that it was he who passed those genes on to Siobhan. How would you respond to Siobhan’s father’s concerns?
QUESTION 5
Identify at least three types of cancer treatment and compare and contrast the process and utility of each treatment.