Every month, WNA's Tri Council members will be posting clinical topics that are part of national spotlights. The goal is to increase awareness for nurses about these clinical areas of practice.
March: Colorectal Cancer and Endometriosis
Every month, different organizations spotlight different health conditions to increase awareness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March is a month to spotlight colorectal cancer and endometriosis. What should nurses know about these two health conditions?
| Colorectal Cancer | Endometriosis | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Refers to cancer that affects the colon and rectum (American Cancer Society) | Endometriosis is a condition where a benign endometrium tissue grows outside of the uterus and most frequently in the ovaries, fallopian tube, vagina, vulva, or bladder. |
| Statistics and Trends | • Third most common cancer. • The number of new diagnosis and death from the disease has been trending down. • In 2024, there were approximately 106,000 cases of Colon cancer and 46,000 cases of rectal cancer. • While the cases were slightly lower in women than men, the incidence of the disease is comparable between men and women. • 5-year relative survival among all genders, races, and ethnicities is 63.8%. | • It is most common among women aged 15-44. • Approximately 190 million women globally and 6.5 million women in the US have endometriosis. • It is most common among women aged 30-40. • This is a common condition among nurses. Symptoms • Very painful menstrual cramps that worsens over time • Chronic lower back and pelvis pain • Pain during sex • Bleeding/spotting between menstrual periods • Infertility • Digestive problems |
| Risk Factors | • Age • History of inflammatory bowel disease • Family history of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps • Genetics • Non-insulin dependent type 2 disease • Men with a history of testicular cancer • Being overweight • Lack of purposeful movement • Smoking • Alcohol use • Diet low in fiber | Causes for Endometriosis are unknown. More research is needed. |
| What can nurses do for prevention? | • Colorectal cancer SCREENING-Starting at age 45 years for those with average risk • Those with a history of IBS or family history of colorectal cancer should consider screening before 45 years. • Consider reducing consumption of red meat and increase fiber, fruits, and vegetables. • Consider increasing purposeful movement • Reducing alcohol consumption and tobacco use | Since causes are unknown, it is also unclear how to prevent the condition. More research is needed. |
| Diagnosis | • Stool tests • Blood tests • Medical history and physical exam • Diagnostic colonoscopy • Biopsy | • Pelvic Exam • Ultrasound • MRI • Laparoscopy |
| Treatment | • Chemotherapy • Surgery • Immunotherapy | • There is no cure for treating endometriosis. • Hormonal birth control • Supportive pain management • Complimentary therapies such as acupuncture • We need more research |
| Training with CEs | Colorectal Cancer Screening Continuing Education | |
| Resource for more information | Colorectal Cancer Statistics | How Common Is Colorectal Cancer? | American Cancer Society | Endometriosis (who.int) |
| USCS Data Visualizations - CDC | Endometriosis | Office on Women's Health (womenshealth.gov) | |
| Colorectal (Colon) Cancer | CDC | ||
| Colorectal Cancer-Catching It Early Infographic |
April: Autism Spectrum Disorder
April: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Every month, organizations spotlight health conditions to increase awareness. As noted in allnurses.com, April is the month to spotlight Autism. Here’s a bit of information nurses should know about Autism.
| Definition | Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is defined as a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. |
| Statistics and Trends | Autism is a lifelong condition, with currently no cure. It is also one of the fastest growing, least funded developmental disorders. Current statistics tell us that one in every 68 children in America has a form of autism. In June 2014, researchers estimated the cost of caring for a child with autism is as high as $2.4 million over a lifetime. The estimated cost for the United States to care for autism is $90 billion a year. |
| Risk Factors/Prevention | At this time, nothing has been proven to cause autism including genetic factors and vaccines. |
| Diagnosis | A medical diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorder is most frequently made utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5, released 2013) of the American Psychiatric Association. |
| Treatment | Currently, there are no cures, but with early diagnosis and interventions, individuals can experience improved outcomes. |
| Nursing Considerations | Early Screening including developmental monitoring should be considered. When caring for adults on the Autism Spectrum, you may need to use additional resources for communication. There also may be associated conditions to consider, such as Epilepsy, Gastrointestinal disorders, mental health, and sleep disturbances. |
| Resources for More Information | For more information on Autism, check out the following additional resources: |
| CDC's "Know the Signs. Act Early | Texas Autism Resource Guide for interventions |
| Follow @AutismSpeaks on Twitterr | Autism Source |
| Autism-Society.org | Autismspeaks.org |
| Iancommunity.org | Nationalautismassociation.org |
| https://allnurses.com/april-autism-awareness-month-t644683/ | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851469/ |
Accelerating Science to Improve Early Autism Screening
Today, thanks to research focused on embedding routine screening in well-baby checkups, the early signs of autism can be identified in children as young as 12–14 months. These efforts, many supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), show that making early autism screening part of routine health care can have a significant impact on children and families, helping connect them to support and services as early as possible.
- Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how people interact, communicate, and learn.
- Making early autism screening part of routine health care helps connect families to support and services as early as possible.
- Despite American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, only a small fraction of pediatricians reported screening for autism at well-child visits.
- NIMH-supported efforts to close the gap between science and practice have yielded key insights into effective strategies for expanding early autism screening.
- Researchers are identifying new tools for detection, new models for delivering services, and new strategies for embedding early autism screening and rapid referral into routine health care.
Source: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Continue reading by clicking on: Accelerating Science to Improve Early Autism Screening (govdelivery.com)