Nurse’s Role in Palliative Care in Cancer Management: Updated Review

Abstract

Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of almost 100 diseases. Its two main characteristics are uncontrolled growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to migrate from the original site and spread to distant sites. If the dispersion is not controlled, cancer can outcome in death. One out of every four deaths in the United States (US) is from cancer. It is second only to heart disease as a cause of death in the US. About 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer per annum; apart from 500,000 die of cancer every year.Palliative care is a well-established approach to maintaining quality of life in end-stage cancer patients. Palliative care nurses have to complete basic diploma/degree/post-graduation in nursing with special training/experience in palliative care. Palliative care nurses often work in collaboration with doctors, allied health professionals, social workers, physiotherapists, and other multidisciplinary clinical care. There is a unique body of knowledge with direct application to the practice of palliative care nursing. This includes pain and symptom management, end-stage disease processes, spiritual and culturally sensitive care of patients and their families, interdisciplinary collaborative practice, loss and grief issues, patient education and advocacy, ethical and legal considerations, and communication skills, etc. The Need for the Palliative Care Nurse is a model that is persistent with basic nursing values, which combines caring for patients and their families behindhand of their culture, age, socioeconomic status, or diagnoses, and engaging in caring relationships that transcend time, circumstances, and location.