Week 16: MS1 COURSE TASK- Colon Cancer

Study Questions:

1. A 92-year-old woman in a long-term care facility is a patient assigned to your care. With
visible discomfort, she tells you that she has noticed blood in the toilet bowl with her last
several bowel movements and she has had blood on her underwear. What other questions
should you ask this woman to clarify the potential causes of this problem? Explain how
the patient’s age might affect your focused assessment.
Here the woman is 90 years old and found to have blood in the toilet bowl. Usually, if
there is bleeding during defecation this may be because of anal fissures, hemorrhoids,
Colon and rectal cancers, or inflammatory bowel disease. Questions to be asked to clarify
the potential problems :

 Initially the women must be questioned about constipation and bowel patterns to
identify whether this is because of hemorrhoids.
 Question her about the swollen or inflamed parts in the anal region and also ask
her about pain.
 Question the woman about the color of the blood whether it is bright red in color
or dark red in color to find out whether it is from the higher part of the colon or it
is only from the rectum.
 Question the woman about consistency, narrow stools, abdominal discomfort, and
fatigue to know about the cancerous symptoms.
 Also question the woman about the melena, as this is also one cause for bleeding
from ulcers.

As the woman is over aged this may lead to pressure on the heart also there will be a drop
in blood pressure, tachycardia, also dizziness and mental confusion take place which is
dangerous for this 90-year-old woman. So there is a need to ask her about these
symptoms initially. These symptoms of her make her easily experience shock symptoms.

If any of the symptoms of hemorrhoids or anal fissures are not detected this may be
colorectal cancer which can be complicated in older adults.
Above are the some of questions to be asked and her age-related focused assessment.

2. Over 50 studies have been conducted on the connection between exercise and the risk of
colon cancer. Research shows that adults who increase their physical activity in intensity,
duration or frequency can reduce their risk of developing colon cancer by 30 to 40
percent, compared to adults who are sedentary. Download a research article on studies
relating to the effect of exercise on colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.

A sharp rise in the number of colorectal cancer survivors and other

cancer survivors has been noted in recent years as a result of improved cancer
screening, detection, and treatment approaches. The need for preventive
measures, such as lifestyle changes related to obesity, physical activity, food, and
smoking, has been supported by the growing population. 15% of colon cancers
may be avoided with physical activity. Additionally, numerous observational
studies have shown the effectiveness of exercise in reducing mortality and the
likelihood of recurrence both before and after the diagnosis of colorectal cancer
(CRC), as well as how these effects are dose-dependent and anti-cancer. But it's
not yet known what kind, how much, or how intense exercise is necessary.