Module Objective: To facilitate an in-depth appreciation of the epidemiology, risk factors, development and detection of cancer, cancer treatments and inherent symptoms, from a professional nursing perspective.

 

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

• Examine the risk factors involved in developing a cancer diagnosis
• Critically discuss the incidence of cancer trends nationally and internationally
• Identify and critically review cancer proliferative growth patterns and spread of disease
• Critically explore the role of the nurse in identifying cancer symptoms and the effects of cancer and its treatment on the individual.
• Identify and critically review the key principles of pain management in the oncology setting
• Analyse the key principles of management of cancer related fatigue, nutritional deficits, nausea and vomiting and GIT in the cancer population
• Explore the concept of survivorship in cancer.

 

Module Content: Cancer care trajectory, Pathophysiology of cancer, cancer diagnosis and metastatic spread, epidemiology, screening and risk factors of cancer, risk behaviour and theory, cancer genetics. Overview of cancer treatments. Symptom management: pain, fatigue, nausea & vomiting, GIT and nutritional issues. Survivorship in cancer.