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In people with cancer, cachexia is diagnosed from unintended weight loss of more than 5%. For cancer patients with a body mass index of less than 20 kg/m 2, cachexia is diagnosed after the unintended weight loss of more than 2%. [12] Additionally, it can be diagnosed through sarcopenia, or loss of skeletal muscle mass. [12]
Generally, it is believed that the cancer arises, or a pre-existing cancer is encouraged, during the process of repairing the trauma, rather than the cancer being caused directly by the trauma. [83] However, repeated injuries to the same tissues might promote excessive cell proliferation , which could then increase the odds of a cancerous mutation.
Cancer-related fatigue is a symptom of fatigue that is experienced by nearly all cancer patients. [1] Among patients receiving cancer treatment other than surgery, it is essentially universal. Fatigue is a normal and expected side effect of most forms of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and biotherapy. [2]
Perhaps most concerning: The age of the average cancer patient is decreasing. In 1995, 61% of cancer diagnoses were among those ages 65 and older. But by 2020, that proportion had dropped to 58%.
Additionally, patient education about worrisome symptoms that require further evaluation is paramount to reduce morbidity and mortality from cancer. Symptoms that cause excess worry, symptoms that persist or are unexplained, and/or the appearance of several symptoms together particularly warrant evaluation by a health professional.
Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate in comparison to other forms of cancer, with the leading cause of development due to smoking. [27] The number of smokers in China is rapidly increasing with tobacco killing approximately 3000 people each day. [27] The diagnosis of lung cancer is most common within the 50–59-year age bracket. [26]
Screenings are important tools used to detect cancer early on, when it's more likely to be treatable. But many screening guidelines phase out these tests over time based on a patient's life ...
The patient's own description is the best measure of pain; they will usually be asked to estimate intensity on a scale of 0–10 (with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain they have ever felt). [10] Some patients, however, may be unable to give verbal feedback about their pain.