Dr. Andrew Stevens And Addresses Key Areas Of...

Advocate in Action What a society values changes almost yearly and differs between cultures. However, personal health will always bear a priceless significance to each person. The Apostle John writes to Gaius in III John 1:2, â€Å"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.† Themes related to health, sickness, and healing are inspired all throughout the Bible. Man lives in a fallen condition and still suffers from disease, in spite of modern medical advances. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1 million people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each year. Cancer spans over 200 diseases characterized recognized by rapid, uncontrolled growth of cells.†¦show more content†¦Leukemia broadly describes conditions that affect erythropoiesis in the bone marrow, lymphatic system, and spleen. As with all other cancers, leukemia begins from the mutation of DNA in certain cells. Classifications of leukemias a re based on the age of onset and the leukocyte involved (Lewis et al. 2014, 665). The most common leukemia is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), accounting for approximately 30% of cases in the United States (Copstead and Banasik 2013, 222). The normal function of the bone marrow, spleen, and liver becomes interrupted by the invasion of malignant lymphocytes (B cells); since the B cells are functionally inactive, a patient becomes more susceptible to infections. The sluggish progression of CLL unfortunately leads to late diagnoses and poor prognosis (Lewis et al. 2014, 665). Patients that become symptomatic in later stages will experience fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, and an increased susceptibility to infection, due to abnormal antibody production. Patient specific factors such as age, disease progression, and medication side effects will determine the course of treatment (Copstead and Banasik 2013, 223). The fragile state of patients with CLL requires continuous examination of drug therapy and interventions to prevent further complications. Drug therapy always carries risks, but in older populations, that risk is at times amplified due to normal physiological variations. When considering drug therapy for an older