Utilizing Evidence for Nursing Practice

The purpose of this essay is to explore the effect a cancer diagnosis has on patients and their spouses. It will look into the effects cancer has upon a patient’s sexuality and their issues with intimacy, it will also look into the support patient’s feel would be useful throughout such an experience, and how this would be best put into practice and how as a student nurse I can develop my skills in this area for future practice . The essay will clearly state my question, structure and rationale also details of the structured search. It will go on to summarise the papers and critically analyse them, considering the findings and their relevance to practice, concluding by discussing the potential benefits of applying them to practice.
Cancer in past years used to be seen in essence as a diagnosis of death, it is now recognised patients will not necessarily deteriorate so rapidly resulting in many invasive surgeries and treatments. Procedures such as Hickman lines, porta-caths or amputation can result in disfigurement and possibly reconstructive surgery having a varied effect on the patient, most of which known to be negative, including the loss of self-esteem, confidence and self-worth (Salter (1997) pg.133). Patients adapt differently to their individual circumstances therefore it is important to deal with the situation professionally and in as sensitive manner as possible in order to alleviate the anxieties patient’s experience (Newall (2000) pg.9). Whilst it is apparent that society has opened up in regards to sexuality than some 20 years ago, intimacy and sexual relations can still be dealt with in an “anti-therapeutic” manner. Healthcare professional’s may feel uncomfortable broaching such subjects with the patient, therefore rushing or avoiding these topics altogether leaving the patient unable to voice their concerns, ask questions, or feeling that they may not return to discussing the topic at a later date (Newall (2000) pg.9,10). Weston (1993) states that...