Nursing Sensitive Outcomes in People with Oncological Diasease

Abstract

Globally, in 2012, 8.2 million life losses were caused by cancer, 14.1 million of new cases occurred and 32.6 million people are living with cancer [1]. At the same time, more than 14 million new cases will emerge every year in the world, the number of people with cancer are expected to triple at 2030, as a result of survival [2]. Survivors continue to experience significant physical limitations compared to those without a history of cancer, with translation in increase of fatigue (56%), pain (35%) and insomnia (30%) [3]. The presence of symptoms persists permanently, resulting from direct adverse effects of cancer, treatment, exacerbation and / or onset of new ones associated with relapse or second tumor. The cancer survivor experiences different magnitudes of symptoms at different stages of the disease, with negative effects on quality of life, functional status and self-care. The end of life is reported as a period of increased incidence, intensity of symptoms and emotional distress [4]. Spichiger et al. [5] reported that people admitted at palliative care units experienced 7 to 13 different symptoms. Simultaneously, people admitted at the hospital services reported an average of 13 symptoms, in which pain, dyspnea, and gastrointestinal disorders were present in more than 50% of the people.