Oncology Nursing

The integration of information technology into healthcare—such as EHRs and patient portals—is growing by leaps and bounds, and cancer care is no exception. Judy Murphy from HHS provides important perspectives on this topic.

February 4 marks World Cancer Day 2013--this year is devoted to dispelling myths about cancer, such as cancer is a death sentence or a disease of the wealthy.

Over 5 million central venous catheters are inserted annually in the United States. Yet the ‘ideal’ access device does not exist. A host of issues preclude optimizing central line care.

Massage is considered a complementary modality in cancer care, used in tandem with medical therapies to promote comfort. The strongest evidence for the use of massage in cancer care suggests its ability to reduce pain and anxiety.

Culture is a tool that its members use to assure their survival and well-being, as well as provide meaning to life. Conflict related to cultural beliefs within healthcare commonly arises during times of significant life change.

Nurses can implement interventions in the workplace to prevent environmental contamination and personal exposure to hazardous drugs.

Genotyping, sometimes referred to as molecular fingerprinting, must be distinguished from genetic testing. Genotyping is done to tumor samples and tests genes in the malignancy only.

With access to clinical trials growing in a variety of clinical settings, nurses increasingly need to develop core skills and knowledge to safely, effectively, and appropriately care for enrolled patients.

A large study of the impact of patient navigation (PN) on breast cancer management has found that women who receive PN are diagnosed faster than non-navigated women, and the difference is most striking among biopsied women.

A US and European team has developed a 3D technique that produces sharper breast images than those available with standard CT scanners, allowing earlier and more accurate detection of breast tumors.

When facing decisions involving children with cancer at the end of life, three themes drove parental decision making--communication, extending time, and understanding prognosis, according to a recent meta-analysis.

In this podcast we discuss the long-term effects of chemotherapy on the cognitive function of cancer patients and the current status of research in this field.

The AICR, noted for its investigation of links between lifestyle and cancer, has released a free digital book for cancer patients and survivors, with current, evidence-based advice on managing diet and activity during and after treatment.

Researchers have concluded after a large meta-analysis of trials involving more than 29,000 patients that patients taking currently available biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are not at increased risk of cancer.

News of note from the current literature.

Vismodegib is for the treatment of adults with metastatic basal cell carcinoma, or locally advanced basal cell carcinoma that has recurred following surgery or who are not candidates for surgery, and who are not candidates for radiation.

Clinical hypnosis has been defined as a mind-body therapy that involves a deeply relaxed state, individualized mental imagery, and therapeutic suggestion.

The prevention of patient falls is a major healthcare imperative. Falls are associated with avoidable morbidity and mortality, compromised quality of life, and considerable economic burden.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a potentially life-threatening metabolic disorder characterized by an elevated uric acid level, elevated serum potassium and phosphorus levels, and a decreased calcium level.

Lung cancer remains the number one cancer killer in both men and women, with more deaths attributable to lung cancer than breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers combined.[1]