Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.
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SPECIAL FEATURE some medications used to treat cancer. the management of their comorbidities," effective to take during treatment and Patients with diabetes may need extra Dr. Stephenson says. with the specific diagnosis. support with controlling blood sugar The care management team tracks the If a patient has a prior cardiovascular because some cancer treatments can data, so that if a patient has level-4 pain condition, physicians in the Quality affect blood sugar control. (on a scale of 0 to 10) in June and that of Life Center use preventive strategies pain jumps to a level 7 in July, the issue to ensure that the patient does not will be addressed. encounter heart issues during surgery. "Each one of our hospitals has an oncology-mindful, internal medicine care approach that addresses the core "What sets us apart is how we manage For example, they'll optimize their heart issues that are unique to each patient, and measure these things," says Dr. and blood pressure medications, and the specific treatments for the disease, Stephenson. "If the patient's pain level is they'll also prescribe the appropriate and the comorbidities affecting that too high, the nurse will tell the doctor. If pain medications to relieve and prevent particular patient," Dr. Stephenson says. he or she needs assistance in managing pain because a pain response could place The bottom line is that the physicians the pain, the patient is referred to the extra stress on the heart. and the nurses in the Quality of Life Quality of Life Center, where I will do Pain management is one of the most Centers have a vitally important job: to everything within my power to bring critical factors to maintaining a good know and understand each individual relief to the patient. This is unique. No quality of life. "Pain interferes with ev- patient so that they can help proactively one else is doing this." erything," Dr. Stephenson explains. "It is a significant health issue that affects all manage any side effects or health issues AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION other issues in a patient. How can one Measuring and tracking symptoms is only truly enjoy life if he or she is always in ASSESSING QUALITY OF LIFE the starting point. The Quality of Life pain? Many clinicians consider it the All care team members at CTCA Center is about action, specifically pre- fifth vital sign." continually work to monitor and assess ventive action. More often than not, the patients' quality of life. CTCA has best defense is a good offense. that may arise during treatment. "We have a very aggressive pain management protocol in place at CTCA. If implemented a new assessment protocol "We try to prevent complications be- you are in so much pain all the time, you that nurses use every time they see a fore they arise," Dr. Stephenson explains. are not going to want to comply with patient. "Essentially, we are having The only way to do this is to know exactly your treatment plan," Dr. Stephenson our nurses measure things that impair what is going on with each patient. says. "If patients have pain, we are go- our patients' well-being," explains Dr. For example, if a patient has diabetes, Stephenson. "We are measuring the the physicians in the Quality of Life things that patients tell us are important Center take a proactive strategy to to improve their quality of life during and managing both the diabetes and the COMMUNICATION IS KEY after the cancer is treated." cancer. Dr. Stephenson explains that they Addressing This nurse assessment includes nine will use long-acting and short-acting a main key to cancer treatment. The symptoms that nurses ask patients about insulin to counteract the negative effects innovative every time they visit the clinic: pain, that can occur as a result of some cancer at CTCA is a good starting point anxiety, depression, numbness/tingling, treatments. What's more, all patients and can open the door to effective fatigue, nausea/vomiting, appetite changes, have access to nutrition and naturopathic communication between the patient and constipation, and diarrhea. "After 14 oncology providers at CTCA hospitals, the team physicians. months of analysis and research, we came who will help the patient determine what up with these key predictors of symptom to eat to maintain an ideal weight and important for patients to be open about management that will affect compliance blood sugar during cancer treatment their symptoms. "If you are empowered with the entire oncologic therapy plan and and what natural therapies are safe and to speak with your doctor about these cfthrive.com FOR A FREE PRINT SUBSCRIPTION GO TO CFTHRIVE.COM ing to do something about it before they leave." Dr. quality-of-life nurse Stephenson issues assessment says that is tool it is spring 2013 | cancer fighters thrive 29