“Describe at least three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen physical and psychological effects.”

In many patients, cancer treatments often possess many side effects that occur when the treatment plans lead to damage of nearby healthy tissues and cells (National Cancer Institute, 2020). However, evidence suggests that the side effects and complications of cancer are unique for each patient, especially depending on the model or type of cancer treatment. For instance, neutropenia is one of the complications that result from medical treatment. Neutropenia is often a complication that is caused by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a medical treatment modality is used to kill fast-growing cancer cells. Neutropenia complication is often evidenced by a decline in white blood counts, which are responsible for the body’s defense against pathogens. Consequently, neutropenia complication lowers the ability of the immune system to protect the body from foreign inversion.

The second complication of cancer is hair loss, which is common in many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Hair loss results from a condition known as alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. However, the amount of hair loss is different in each cancer patient. For some people, hair loss occurs only in a few spots while they lose most of their hair (National Cancer Institute, 2020). The third complication is Lymphedema, which causes the build-up of body fluids on the skin, causing swelling in different parts of the patient’s body. Lymphedema is a complication that results from radiotherapies and surgical processes when getting rid of the affected lymph nodes. 

Moreover, the diagnosis and treatment of cancer can have both physical and emotional effects on the patient, family members, and caregivers. The common emotional effects include anxiety, distress, and depression. Further, the roles at home, work, or school can be adversely affected. The physical effects of cancer treatment include sexual health complications, concentration difficulties, organ-related inflammations, and fertility problems (National Cancer Institute, 2020).

Methods to Lessen Physical and Psychological Effects

 As noted above, cancer causes significant side effects that must be addressed to enhance healthcare outcomes. There is the need to offer palliative and supportive care to people living with cancer. For instance, patients should always consult their primary care physicians concerning specific information concerning the side effects they experience due to their treatment modality. For instance, lymphedema can be managed and relieved using palliative care, where patients are encouraged to exercise to enhance the flow of lymph fluids. Besides, exercise can help patients to strengthen their muscles. Further, nurses can provide home-based health care services to patients from low-income families, thus helping to reduce the financial and emotional burden of hospitalization and commuting to and from the hospital for treatment (National Cancer Institute, 2020). The patients can also be provided with mandatory morphine to assist in the moderation of the treatment plans of care