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    COVID-19 Affects Cancer Caregivers, but Here Are Ways to Support Them
    COVID-19
    COVID-19 Affects Cancer Caregivers, but Here Are Ways to Support Them
    February 19, 2021
    Celebrate Oncology Nurse Leaders During Black History Month
    ONS Leadership
    Celebrate Oncology Nurse Leaders During Black History Month
    February 03, 2021
    Am I Too Shy to Lead?
    Nurse staffing
    Am I Too Shy to Lead?
    January 29, 2021
    Zoom Through Video Job Interviews With These Tips for Applicants and Hiring Managers
    nursing professional development
    Zoom Through Video Job Interviews With These Tips for Applicants and Hiring Managers
    January 22, 2021
    The Case of Concurrent Therapy Concerns
    Treatment side effects
    The Case of Concurrent Therapy Concerns
    December 18, 2020
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    Genetic Disorder Reference Sheet: Lynch Syndrome (Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer)
    Genetics & genomics

    Genetic Disorder Reference Sheet: Lynch Syndrome (Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer)

    Lynch syndrome, now referred to as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), was first identified in a family in 1895. In 1966, Henry Lynch reported a series of families with colon and other cancers in the Nebraska area. Today, the evidence shows that HNPCC is associated with germline pathogenic variants in the MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM genes.

    January 25, 2021
    Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, Side Effects, and Survivorship Considerations
    Pancreatic cancer

    Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, Side Effects, and Survivorship Considerations

    Pancreatic cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the United States, accounting for 3% of all cancers but causing 7% of cancer-related deaths, which equates to about 57,500 diagnoses and 47,050 deaths each year. The average person’s risk for pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 64.

    December 03, 2020
    Breast Cancer Prevention, Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, Side Effect, and Survivorship Considerations
    Breast cancer

    Breast Cancer Prevention, Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, Side Effect, and Survivorship Considerations

    In the United States, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. One in eight women will develop invasive disease in their lifetime with approximately 270,00 new cases diagnosed in the United States in 2019. Caucasian women have the highest incidence rate, whereas African American women are most likely to die from the disease. The five-year survival rate is 91%, with an estimated 3.8 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.

    October 15, 2020
    As True Detectives, Genetics Professionals Uncover the Meaning of True or Noninformative Negative Results
    Genetics & genomics

    As True Detectives, Genetics Professionals Uncover the Meaning of True or Noninformative Negative Results

    Patients who watch crime shows think that DNA testing is as simple as taking a cheek swab and getting the results in two minutes so the case is solved at the end of the 42-minute episode. The reality? DNA can be identified from buccal cells in a cheek swab, but results take several weeks to obtain and are not always a simple negative or positive.

    August 18, 2020
    Glioblastoma Diagnosis, Treatment, Side Effect Management, and Survivorship Recommendations
    Treatment side effects

    Glioblastoma Diagnosis, Treatment, Side Effect Management, and Survivorship Recommendations

    Glioblastoma or glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is a primary central nervous system tumor. Approximately 23,890 new brain tumors are diagnosed in the United States each year, with GBM accounting for 38%. GBM can present as a primary diagnosis or evolve from a lower grade brain tumor.

    August 06, 2020
    Variants of Unknown Significance
    Genetics & genomics

    Help Patients Understand Genomic Variants of Unknown Significance

    Patients approach genetic testing, either for germline (inherited) or somatic (tumor) alterations, hoping it will provide valuable information about their cancer risk, prognosis, or treatment options. Next-generation sequencing makes it possible to test for panels of 40 or more genes simultaneously. By testing more genes, the possibility of finding an actionable, informative result improves, but so does the chance of having a result with one or more variants of unknown clinical significance.

    July 06, 2020
    Spotlight on Melanoma
    Melanoma

    Melanoma Prevention, Screening, Treatment, and Survivorship Recommendations

    It is no coincidence that May is Melanoma Awareness Month. As Americans take to the great outdoors, they also must take caution to protect their skin and prevent melanoma.  

    May 18, 2020
    Family Risk Factors May Indicate Need for Genetics Counseling Referrals
    Genetics & genomics

    Family Risk Factors May Indicate Need for Genetics Counseling Referrals

    Genetics testing is not just about one family member; the results have implications for an entire family. Results of genetic testing can be confusing, and families often need assistance understanding what it means for them. Genetics counseling before and after testing is very important to help individuals and families understand the results of genetic testing when they are received and over time. 

    May 14, 2020
    What Happens During a Genetics Counseling Session?
    Genetics & genomics

    What Happens During a Genetics Counseling Session?

    When referring patients for genetics counseling and possible testing for hereditary risk, oncology nurses can help relieve their trepidation and anxiety by explaining what to expect during the visit. See the sidebar for key indications for referral.

    March 26, 2020
    Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Screening, Treatment, and Survivorship Recommendations
    Cancer screening

    Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Screening, Treatment, and Survivorship Recommendations

    Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer affecting men and women in the United States. When CRC is found at an early stage before it has spread, the five-year relative survival rate is about 90%, yet it remains a leading cause of cancer-related death among both genders. 

    March 17, 2020
    Ovarian Cancer: Prevention, Screening, Treatment, and Survivorship Recommendations
    Ovarian cancer

    Ovarian Cancer: Prevention, Screening, Treatment, and Survivorship Recommendations

    Even though its incidence is less common, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of death from cancer in women, according to the American Cancer Society. It also estimated more than 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer in 2019, with a five-year survival of 47% for all stages.

    February 06, 2020
    Germline and Somatic Mutations: What Is the Difference?
    Genetics & genomics

    Germline and Somatic Mutations: What Is the Difference?

    Cancer occurs from mutations, or harmful changes from an alteration in a gene’s DNA sequence. Most mutations involve changes in the order of the base pairs, including substitutions, deletions, additions, or shifts. Mutations can be divided into broad categories based on the tissue where they occur.

    January 14, 2020
    Continued Conversation Shows That Nurses Need More Genetics Education
    Genetics & genomics

    Continued Conversation Shows That Nurses Need More Genetics Education

    During the  44th Annual ONS Congress in April 2019, some sessions featured a Continuing the Conversation event following the main session. As a speaker, this might have been the best part for me. It was filled with unexpected, wonderful surprises and great conversations with oncology nursing colleagues.

    July 19, 2019
    Why Pretesting Counseling Is Critical in the Age of Consumer Genetic Tests
    Genetics & genomics

    Why Pretesting Counseling Is Critical in the Age of Consumer Genetic Tests

    On March 6, 2018, 23andMe—an at-home genetic testing company—announced their direct-to-consumer genetic test (DTCGT) would include DNA results for the three common founder BRCA mutations commonly seen in people with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. This was big news because DNA results for the BRCA mutations had been previously available on the 23andMe panel report until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration removed them in 2013.

    July 06, 2018
    A Career in Nursing Offers Plethora of Challenging, Satisfying Opportunities
    Oncology nurse pride

    A Career in Nursing Offers Plethora of Challenging, Satisfying Opportunities

    It’s the season for graduations. My husband and I recently celebrated our youngest daughter’s graduation from Saint Louis University School of Nursing—just as we did for our two older daughters. As I reflected on this time of celebration, I was reminded of when I was asked to write for Continuing the Legacy: More Voices of Oncology Nurses, an ONS book that shares the narrative history of oncology nursing through individual nurse stories. I wrote about a patient who taught me a lot during our time together. At the end of each story, the authors were asked to reflect on their contributions and their experiences. With all of the celebrations lately, I had to look back on what I wrote.

    June 08, 2018
    How DNA Revolutionized Oncology Care
    Genetics & genomics

    How DNA Revolutionized Oncology Care

    April 25, 2018, marks National DNA Day. Why the hype? National DNA Day commemorates the successful completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, and the discovery of DNA's double helix in 1953. Without DNA, understanding the diseases and treatments for cancer would be nearly impossible. Genetics and genomics play huge roles in treating malignancy, and it’s crucial to the care of patients with cancer for oncology nurses to understand genetics and genomics.

    April 25, 2018
    Cancer Prevention and Awareness Starts With Oncology Nurses
    Cancer prevention

    Cancer Prevention and Awareness Starts With Oncology Nurses

    April is designated as National Cancer Control Month in the United States. It’s a federally endorsed observation, annually encouraged by a proclamation from the president. April is dedicated to raising awareness for cancer prevention and treatment throughout the country. Approved through a joint resolution by Congress in 1938, the yearly presidential announcement serves as a reminder to all Americans that awareness of the factors that cause or prevent cancer are crucial to the public health.  

    April 18, 2018
    Oncology Nurses Play Key Role in Genetics Education, Testing for Patients
    Genetics & genomics

    Oncology Nurses Play Key Role in Genetics Education, Testing for Patients

    Identifying genetically predisposed women with breast cancer who could benefit from risk assessment and genetic counseling is an important competency for oncology nurses. However, a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) reported that fewer than 50% of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer who should have been given formal genetic counseling actually received the appropriate genetic testing.

    March 29, 2018
    Oncology Nurses Can Help Patients Understand At-Home Genetic Testing
    Genetics & genomics

    Oncology Nurses Can Help Patients Understand At-Home Genetic Testing

    Direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) has entered the prime-time stage. It’s difficult to watch TV without seeing ads touting the simplicity of DTCGT and what it can tell you, and it even made Oprah’s 2017 Favorite Things List.

    March 14, 2018
    CJON Offers Opportunities for Oncology Nurses to Start Writing
    Oncology nurse influence

    CJON Offers Opportunities for Oncology Nurses to Start Writing and Get Published

    Young authors have so much to share, and they shouldn’t think that what they have to say isn’t worthy of publication just because they’re young. I’ve had the privilege of mentoring young authors on many occasions. Recently, I had the joy of watching a novice author actually open a journal and see her article in print. It was made even more special because it was my daughter, Elaine, who is a senior nursing student at Saint Louis University School of Nursing. She shared her personal story about her decision to become a nurse in the Clinical Moment feature in the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing’s (CJON’s) October 2017 issue.

    November 03, 2017
    Oncology Nurses Need to Embrace Genetics
    Genetics & genomics

    Why Oncology Nurses Need to Embrace Genetics

    Genetics in clinical oncology nursing practice permeates all aspects of care from prevention and detection to treatment decisions to long-term survivorship care. Each of these areas often overlap, and oncology nurses need a solid genetics understanding to provide optimal care.

    October 23, 2017
    Breast Cancer Awareness
    Breast cancer

    Why Breast Cancer Awareness Is Important All Year

    As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins this week, we’ll start seeing pink awareness efforts everywhere. Pink products will line the shelves at stores, awareness and fundraising ads will showcase celebrities wearing pink ribbons, and high school, collegiate, and even professional athletes will adorn their uniforms with pink, some even articulating a specific person or family member affected by breast cancer for whom they’re dedicating their athletic efforts.

    October 06, 2017
    Nursing School
    Nursing education

    After 100 Years, Nursing School Is Both Different Yet Still the Same

    Earlier this month, I found this picture of my grandmother from 1918. She must have sent it to her sister, because on the back of the photo was scrawled a message: “I thought you might want a snap to see me in my nursing uniform.” This is like a selfie from nearly a hundred years ago. Although the sign behind her says, “Don’t park here,” that’s exactly what she’s doing. The humor was not lost.

    September 22, 2017
    HPV Vaccination
    Cancer prevention

    The Importance of HPV Vaccination for Your Patients

    August marks the beginning of National Immunization Awareness Month, which is an annual observance to promote awareness of the importance of vaccination for individuals of all ages. It’s a great time for nurses to check with their patients and make sure they’re up to date on the recommended vaccines.

    August 01, 2017
    Ultraviolet Safety and Skin Cancer Risk
    Safety

    Raise Awareness in July for Ultraviolet Safety and Skin Cancer Risk

    With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to head outdoors and enjoy the sunny weather. But are you protecting yourself from potential risks? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has named July as Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month. The goal is to spread the word about how important it is to protect everyone’s skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. This presents a teaching opportunity for oncology nurses and their patients—not just during July but all year long.

    July 06, 2017
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    To discuss the information in this article with other oncology nurses, visit the ONS Communities.

    To report a content error, inaccuracy, or typo, email pubONSVoice@ons.org.

    Suzanne Mahon RN, DNSc, AOCN®, AGN-BC
     
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