October 19, 2010
The increasing national and international attention to October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings to mind the tremendous progress made by the women’s rights movement over the last few decades.
July 09, 2010
Two very different articles in this issue of ONCOLOGY Nurse Edition drive home the lesson that evidence-based practice improves cancer care.
April 12, 2010
The May 2010 theme of Oncology Nursing Month is “Oncology Nurses: There When You Need Us.”
February 16, 2010
As a new decade unfolds, we are very fortunate to have an increasing number of new interventions available because of the recent tremendous advances in genetics and genomics.
October 08, 2009
October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness month, now in its 25th year, a time to contemplate important advances and milestones as well as future research needs.
August 03, 2009
Formal recommendations for the support and management of cancer patients who are transitioning from active treatment to long-term follow-up are fairly recent, documented notably in the 2006 Institute of Medicine report, From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition.
April 06, 2009
Change is in the air-and I don’t just mean the arrival of spring. The current national focus on health care is clearly evident from many quarters, including policy makers, health care institutions, and clinical staff. In addition to the discussion on health care coverage, there is an increasing emphasis on patient-centered care. As a result, we have before us a unique opportunity to assure the inclusion of survivorship and end-of-life care as formal parts of the health care continuum.
February 11, 2009
On January 20th, all eyes were on the inauguration in Washington, and most of us felt not only a sense of renewed hope but also some uncertainty about what the future will hold. In many ways, cancer patients also face these dual feelings of hope and uncertainty when treatment ends and they confront the task of finding a “new normal.” Re-establishing routines, relationships, and one’s connection to the world is eagerly wanted, but for some it can be daunting. The impact of cancer on one’s health, daily function, and body image, as well as financial and other concerns, also may present challenges.
October 02, 2008
Helping cancer patients to recover and heal goes beyond managing physical consequences of treatment. Mental scars from the cancer experience can run deep. Patients often face profound psychological, spiritual, and emotional challenges as they navigate difficult treatments-and then, if all goes well, move into long-term follow-up.
July 01, 2008
In cancer treatment these days, the immediate-what needs to be done for the patient right now toward achieving long-term survival-is coupled with planning post-treatment surveillance, care, and support for patients who will likely survive their disease.