Online Features
Choice of Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy Affects Satisfaction, Quality of Life
July 18, 2018A prospective trial with more than 2000 women who underwent mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction sought to determine patient satisfaction with their breasts and quality of life annually over 4 years after their procedure.
The Caregivers' Cancer Journey
July 16, 2018This installment demonstrates how the caregiver's cancer journey often parallels that of the patient with cancer, highlighting their need for evolving support through survivorship.
Staff Education Leads to Increase in Oncology Rehabilitation Referrals
July 12, 2018Educational intervention for oncology clinicians at a rural Michigan oncology clinic does not demonstrate a statistically significant increase in referrals to rehabilitation; however, results show a clinically significant improvement in identification of need, communication among staff, and potential for greater referrals.
Beware Abbreviated Explanations That May Undermine Your Meaning, Patients' Understanding
July 05, 2018Have you ever thought about what is meant — or understood — when you say to a patient "It's going to be okay"? Hearing an exchange between her grandson and a pediatric nurse prompted Ann Brady to reflect on abbreviated communications.
The Nurse as Patient Advocate: What I Did When My Patient Had No Clothes
July 03, 2018Patient advocacy can lead nurses to take on great challenges in the course of caring for their patients or to brave the elements to retrieve replacements for a patient's missing clothes.
Younger Patients, Higher Costs: The Changing Demographics of Cancer
June 27, 2018This overview provides a snapshot of the shift in cancer care costs and age of patients, reviewing the 4 most commonly diagnosed cancers.
USPSTF Updates Guidelines for PSA-Based Screening for Prostate Cancer in Older Men
June 26, 2018In updating its 2012 recommendations, the US Preventive Services Task Force changes its stance on PSA-based screening for prostate cancer in men older than 50. The new guidelines advocate for a patient-physician discussion of the benefits of testing vs the potential harms.
Exercise Habits Influence Mortality in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer
June 22, 2018A multinational retrospective study investigated the long term effects of exercise intensity and frequency on all-cause and cause-specific mortality among adult survivors of childhood cancers.
From Disparities to Disclosure: A Discussion on Lesbians and Breast Cancer
June 13, 2018Marissa Fors, director of CancerCare's Susan G. Komen® Breast Care Helpline, talked with Dr Penelope Damaskos, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, about breast cancer risk and related challenges for women who identify as lesbian and their healthcare providers.
Radiation-Induced Esophagitis: A Common, Debilitating Clinical Challenge in Thoracic Radiotherapy
June 06, 2018A review of current options and ongoing trials for managing ARIE, a common esophageal adverse effect caused by radiotherapy to the thoracic region for lung, breast, or head and neck cancers, or lymphoma.
Art as Palliative Care: Bedside Intervention Improves Pain, Anxiety, Mood in Hospitalized Cancer Patients
June 04, 2018Results from a study on an innovative program from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, demonstrates the potential positive effects of providing hospitalized patients with brief one-on-one art lessons.
Avoiding the ED: Planned Strategies for Unplanned Urgent Cancer Care
May 24, 2018Results of a literature review highlighted 5 strategies for improving the management of urgent care situations in patients with cancer.
New Recommendations Target Promoting Better Sun Protection Habits for All Patients
May 23, 2018A new US Preventive Services Task Force Evidence Report is suggesting that greater efforts are needed to educate children and young adults with fair skin about risks of sun exposure. Although the Task Force recommendations are directed at primary care, its members are encouraging oncology nurses to take note of these new findings.
Evolution of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
May 16, 2018A review of HER2-positive breast cancer, including etiology, diagnosis, and treatments.
Challenges of Shared Decision Making in Prostate Cancer Screening
May 07, 2018A review of shared decision making with men about undergoing PSA testing revealed that although full SDM discussions are increasing, variations in whether these discussions occur and how much information is shared still exist.
Venetoclax Found Effective in Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
May 03, 2018A group of Australian researchers report study findings that demonstrate a significant improvement in PFS in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL treated with venetoclax plus rituximab compared with the standard care.
Evidence-Based Practices, No CLABSIs Achieved Through Quality Improvement
May 02, 2018Faced with an increasing CLABSI rate on their oncology unit, nurse leaders at this rural Northwest hospital surveyed their staff to identify the changes they needed to make. Implementing those changes resulted in a dramatic improvement in patient care outcomes.
Cancer Screening Follow-up: Enabling Timely Diagnosis, Treatment
April 30, 2018A review of the literature on follow-up after positive screening results led researchers to a consensus opinion on timing of diagnostic tests for 4 cancers: breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung.
Too Much Information: When Prognosis Breaks Down Patient Communications
April 25, 2018Overwhelmed by her poor prognosis, a patient with a newly diagnosed advanced cancer cuts off communicating with her health care team.
Evolving Role of Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Mesothelioma
April 20, 2018Research into the potential of radiation therapy in the management of mesothelioma may improve the prognosis, and possibly extend progression-free survival, for patients with this incurable cancer.
Challenges for Young Adult Couples Facing a Cancer Diagnosis
April 16, 2018A cancer diagnosis can alter life plans for a young adult couple, completely upending their carefully thought out plans. Understanding their unique challenges can ensure oncology nurses are prepared to help these patients and their partners face an uncertain future.
Testicular Cancer Treatment May Increase Risk for Heart Disease in Survivors
April 11, 2018Recent research shows that although testicular cancer survivors do not totally conform to the criteria for metabolic syndrome, past treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy increases its prevalence among survivors and may lead to a greater risk for heart disease in this patient population.
Does Better Breast Imaging Lead to Improved Outcomes or Increased Overdiagnosis?
April 05, 2018Advances in breast imaging such as DBT offer better, clearer images of breast tissue that can identify even low-grade DCIS tumors. But will more sensitive imaging lead to improved outcomes or increased overtreatment?
Spousal, Partner Perception of Coping Affects Adjustments in Breast Cancer
April 03, 2018Male spouse or partner perspectives on a female patient's ability to cope was found to have a positive effect on her ability to cope and adjust to her disease. Unfortunately, this effect remains rarely researched and poorly understood among patients with breast cancer in same sex relationships.
Overtreatment a Concern With RAI for Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
March 30, 2018In a study from the Cleveland Clinic, researchers investigated the association between well-differentiated thyroid cancer and risk for AML or CML in those patients treated with radioactive iodine.
Letter-Writing Project Communicates Care Wishes to Healthcare Team, Family
March 26, 2018What matters most to me, who matters most to me, and what do I want in my last days? Letter-writing project is a tool for patients to communicate their wishes for their last days.
Medical Terms in Patient Education: Using the Confusing to Explain the Complicated
March 21, 2018Medical terminology can be a foreign language — or confusing, at the least — for many patients. Ann Brady uses a patient encounter to illustrate the potential miscommunication inherent in using "medicalese" in patient communication.
A Witness to Letting Go: Nursing Care at the End of Life
March 19, 2018A new oncology nurse reflects on the first time she provided comfort care for a patient at the end of life and her family.
Managing Chemo Brain in Pediatric Survivors of Childhood Cancer
March 14, 2018Reintegration to the general environment, particularly to school, can be challenging for survivors of childhood cancers. This review discusses how adverse effects such as chemo brain may present extra challenges for these patients and what can be done to ease patients' anxiety.
Advances in Prevention, Treatment of RT-Associated Radiodermatitis Hold Promise
March 07, 2018This review of radiodermatitis, a common adverse effect of radiation therapy, discusses preventive and treatment options available that reduce and/or minimize symptoms of the condition.
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ONA Articles
- Choice of Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy Affects Satisfaction, Quality of Life
- Bariatric Surgery Reduced Risk of Some Cancers in Obese Patients
- Carfilzomib Benefits May Outweigh Cardiovascular Risk in Multiple Myeloma
- The Caregivers' Cancer Journey
- Genetic Link Between Depression and Breast Cancer Remains Unclear
- Implementing an Ambulatory Adherence Program May Improve Oral Anticancer Medications Compliance
- Exercise Habits Influence Mortality in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer
- Managing Dyspnea With Fentanyl in Patients With Cancer at End of Life
- CALM: A Depression Intervention for Cancer Patients at the End of Life
- High BMI Among Premenopausal Women May Improve Risk for Breast Cancer
- Fertility Preservation in Hodgkin's Lymphoma Patients That Undergo Targeted Molecular Therapies: An Important Step Forward From the Chemotherapy Era
- Survey of ACEP Councilors Reveals NP, PA Staffing Models, Practice Patterns Vary
- Breath Analysis May Be an Effective Diagnostic for Pancreatic Cancer
- Genetic Susceptibility to Pancreatic Cancer Linked to 6 Specific Gene Mutations
- Dinner Hour and Sleep Habits Affect Risk of Breast, Prostate Cancers
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