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 Wanda’s story.
Wanda, a 17-year-old European American female, is an avid soccer 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 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 Wanda to an orthopedic specialist, who runs some bloodwork. The specialist becomes concerned by Wanda’s white-blood cell count and refers her to an oncologist.
Given Wanda’s age, which type of cancer would she be likely to be diagnosed with?
What are some protective factors Wanda already may have in place that would help in her recovery?
Wanda’s mother has become very protective since her daughter’s diagnosis and watches everything Wanda eats as well as does. She is convinced that sugar may worsen Wanda’s symptoms. How would you answer Wanda’s mother’s concerns?
Wanda’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 it was he who passed those genes on to Wanda. How would you respond to Wanda’s father’s concerns?
Identify at least three types of cancer treatment and compare and contrast the process and utility of each treatment.