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    Oncology Nurse Uses Retirement to Help Patients and Healthcare Professionals Understand Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker Testing Results
    Pancreatic cancer
    Oncology Nurse Uses Retirement to Help Patients and Healthcare Professionals Understand Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker Testing Results
    November 11, 2022
    The Life of Marie Curie and Her Contributions to Oncology
    Cancer treatments
    The Life of Marie Curie and Her Contributions to Oncology
    November 07, 2022
    Post-Flooding Natural Disaster Cancer Considerations and Patient Education Points
    Patient safety
    Post-Flooding Natural Disaster Cancer Considerations and Patient Education Points
    September 28, 2022
    Can Patients Use Continuous Glucose Monitors During Radiation Therapy for Cancer?
    Radiation therapy
    Can Patients Use Continuous Glucose Monitors During Radiation Therapy for Cancer?
    August 19, 2022
    Without My Fellowship Program and ONS, I Would Not Be the Nurse I Am Today
    Nurse empowerment
    Without My Fellowship Program and ONS, I Would Not Be the Nurse I Am Today
    July 15, 2022
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    Communication Models Help Nurses Confidently Address Sexual Concerns in Patients With Cancer
    Sexual/reproductive issues

    Communication Models Help Nurses Confidently Address Sexual Concerns in Patients With Cancer

    Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment, yet oncology professionals often under address patients’ sexuality and sexual dysfunction concerns. Providers cite lack of time, training, and resources as barriers to initiating important discussions about sexual side effects, and studies show that patients’ age and prognosis are additional hindering factors.

    October 18, 2022
    Balance Hope and Quality of Life for Phase I Clinical Trials
    Oncology clinical trials

    Balance Hope and Quality of Life for Phase I Clinical Trials

    Leita, a 42-year-old patient with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, was treated with 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin followed by capecitabine and radiation therapy. After she completed initial treatment, a computed tomography scan conducted in preparation for a possible surgical resection revealed metastatic liver lesions. Leita’s surgery was cancelled, and she began second-line therapy with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel.

    September 20, 2022
    Nearly half of patients with brain cancer have limited MDC at diagnosis, and most patients will experience some neurocognitive decline over time. Current ethical parameters maintain that patients must be able to understand the risks and benefits of a treatment and assume personal accountability for their choice. However, providers have no gold standard tool designed to assess a patient’s MDC, and clinicians often make implicit judgement regarding patients’ MDC. If an MDC assessment tool is used, the results
    Patient Support

    Support Impaired Patients’ Medical Decision-Making Capacity

    John is a 58-year-old patient who was diagnosed with glioblastoma two years ago. He initially responded well to radiation, temozolomide, and a tumor-treating fields device. His cancer recurred 18 months after diagnosis, and John underwent a second craniotomy that was complicated by a stroke. He became unable to verbally communicate, but John and his partner had previously discussed his desire to participate in clinical trials to help extend his life. The medical oncologist says that John will not qualify for a clinical trial because John is unable to give an informed consent, and John’s partner is frustrated that she can’t speak for him and respect his wishes.

    August 16, 2022
    Use Conversational Assessments to Deliver Whole-Person Care
    Oncology nurse education

    Use Conversational Assessments to Deliver Whole-Person Care

    Whole-person care involves evaluating a patient’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and social health. A conversational assessment can help oncology nurses foster an open dialogue about the patient as a person, not just their physical or health needs.

    July 19, 2022
    Support Patients’ Autonomy and Cultural Choices
    Ethics in nursing

    Support Patients’ Autonomy and Cultural Choices

    You are the oncology nurse caring for Maria, who has been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). She says she doesn’t understand how she developed lung cancer because she has always lived a clean lifestyle according to her religious practices. You notice that although Maria is initially conversant with you, she allows her husband to speak for her whenever he is present. When you mention your observation to Maria, she tells you that in her religious culture, medical decisions are deferred to the high elders of the church.

    June 28, 2022
    Use the Evidence to Integrate Ethics in Teleoncology Care
    Oncology nurse-patient relationship

    Use the Evidence to Integrate Ethics in Teleoncology Care

    Emily manages a rural clinic associated with an academic cancer center. Patients initially have an in-person consultation with their treating oncologists at the main campus but then use telehealth for subsequent visits. To support patients during teleoncology visits, Emily wants to initiate a plan to collaborate with the clinic staff to identify and address the ethical principles for oncology care using telehealth.

    May 17, 2022
    Anticipate and Address Anxiety in Survivorship Care
    Oncology nurse-patient relationship

    Anticipate and Address Anxiety in Survivorship Care

    Some people may be overjoyed at the prospect of completing their cancer treatment and returning to normal life, but for many others, fear and anxiety can overshadow feelings of elation. The survivorship phase of a cancer journey can be confusing and uncertain. Comments like, “I don’t know what is next” and “The responsibility for care is now up to me” can alert oncology nurses that patients need additional communication and strategies to transition into healthy survivorship.

    April 19, 2022
    Advocate for Equal Access for Next Generation Sequencing and Clinical Trials
    Ethics in nursing

    Advocate for Equal Access for Next Generation Sequencing and Clinical Trials

    Janice is an oncology nurse in a rural community cancer center. Only one of the three oncologists in the practice discusses clinical trials with their patients and typically not until after patients complete two to three lines of therapy. Also, the practice does not have a process for when to order next generation sequencing (NGS). Janice feels it is not ethical that the patients coming to the clinic do not have equal access to those important services.

    March 21, 2022
    Master the Essentials of Effective Communication
    Oncology nurse-patient relationship

    Master the Essentials of Effective Communication

    Communication is central to an oncology nurse’s role—with patients and families, within the unit, and across interprofessional teams. The Joint Commission identified poor communication as a causative factor in 80% of medical errors, particularly during caregiving handoffs. Effective communication skills are both a science and an art, but oncology professionals can use a variety of tools and techniques to enhance their practice.

    February 15, 2022
    The Case of the Clinical Trials Consultation
    Oncology clinical trials

    The Case of the Clinical Trials Consultation

    Don, age 72, was diagnosed with borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma more than a year ago. Genetic testing indicated a BRCA2 variant. He completed 12 cycles of FOLFIRINOX followed by a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure). He had no evidence of disease for six months until a liver lesion seen on surveillance imaging tested positive for metastatic pancreatic cancer. His medical oncologist suggests a clinical trial targeting the BRCA2 variant.

    December 21, 2021
    Live a Life in Balance
    Nurse well-being

    Live a Life in Balance

    Although you may not always believe it, living a balanced life is not out of reach. Nurses have a variety of ways to achieve daily balance and well-being, both informally and through dedicated programs. Today, institutions and nursing organizations alike are prioritizing initiatives to support and strengthen nurses’ well-being.

    November 25, 2021
    The Case of the End-of-Life Evaluation
    End of life (EOL)

    The Case of the End-of-Life Evaluation

    Ron, your 73-year-old patient, decides to transition to hospice care after receiving lung cancer treatment for three years. His partner finds Ron’s decision to move to hospice difficult to accept and encourages him to look for a clinical trial or try alternative treatments. You suggest that the couple speaks with a hospital chaplain, and Ron agrees. His surprised partner says, “Why do you want to talk with a chaplain? We’ve never been religious!”

    October 19, 2021
    Can Compassion Bust Burnout and Restore Resilience?
    Nurse well-being

    Can Compassion Bust Burnout and Restore Resilience?

    Stress is a normal and necessary part of life. However, prolonged emotional tension takes stress to a new level for many people, including oncology nurses. But what is the antidote to cumulative pressure? The evidence for compassion’s benefits during stress is compelling.

    September 30, 2021
    The Case of the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Targeted Treatment
    Breast cancer

    The Case of the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Targeted Treatment

    Ophelia is a 42-year-old patient who has been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). She completed neoadjuvant chemotherapy with dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, followed by paclitaxel and carboplatin. Her postsurgical pathology shows residual disease in the tumor (3.5 cm down from 4 cm) and 12 out of 18 lymph nodes that are positive for cancer. Ophelia tells you that she is very discouraged and expected a better treatment outcome.

    September 21, 2021
    The Seven Dimensions of Rest
    Nurse well-being

    The Seven Dimensions of Rest

    Sleep and rest are two different concepts. Society focuses on sleep, but rest is just as important, and not just for the physical body. Rest allows us to nurture our physical, mental, emotional, sensory, creative, social, and spiritual self. Each of those dimensions needs to be consciously rested for a person to truly feel restored.

    July 29, 2021
    The Case of the Mysterious Myalgia
    Immunotherapy

    The Case of the Mysterious Myalgia

    Randi is a 57-year-old patient who identifies as female. She was diagnosed with clear cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), and her past medical history includes mild hypertension managed with amlodipine and a two-year history of transient musculoskeletal pain managed with tramadol. She reports a family history of cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Her primary care physician suspects Randi is at the beginning stages of fibromyalgia but has not made a conclusive diagnosis because she hasn’t experienced additional symptoms.

    July 20, 2021
    The Case of the Weight Loss Wishes
    Clinical practice

    The Case of the Weight Loss Wishes

    Craig was diagnosed with colorectal cancer after a routine colonoscopy and subsequent colectomy. He meets with Lacey, the oncology nurse, to discuss managing the side effects of his FOLFOX chemotherapy. Lacey notes that Craig’s age is 71, weight is 255 lbs., and body mass index (a body fat ratio based on weight and height) is 38. Craig describes his activity level as “walking to the mailbox and exercising my fingers on the remote control. This cancer treatment will help me knock off some of this extra weight.”

    May 18, 2021
    The Case of the Transgender Considerations for Cancer Screening
    Patient Support

    The Case of the Transgender Considerations for Cancer Screening

    Sally, a nurse practitioner in a cancer survivorship clinic, is preparing to discuss screening and surveillance guidelines with Jonah, a 32-year-old survivor of Hodgkin lymphoma. Sally reviews Jonah’s patient history form and notes that Jonah uses he and him pronouns. His gender identity is male and sex assigned at birth was female. Jonah’s surgical history includes gender-affirming surgery on chest tissue (also known as top surgery), and his current medications include supplemental testosterone. Jonah also specifies that he is transmasculine—an umbrella term used to indicate that Jonah feels a connection with masculinity.

    April 20, 2021
    Don’t Get Trapped in the Pitfalls of Perfectionism
    Nurse well-being

    Don’t Get Trapped in the Pitfalls of Perfectionism

    Having high expectations can motivate you to achieve your very best. In the extreme, however, aiming for perfection can be dangerous to your mental health. In a 2015 TED Talk, self-proclaimed perfectionist Petra Kolber passionately revealed that despite being at the top in her field in the fitness industry, she felt her best was never good enough and she lived a joyless life. 

    March 16, 2021
    The Case of the Sensitive Staging System
    Survivorship care plans

    The Case of the Sensitive Staging System

    Marianne, an oncology nurse navigator, is preparing a cancer treatment summary and survivorship care plan for Sylvia, who finished breast cancer treatment six weeks ago. Sylvia was treated with neoadjuvant therapy followed by mastectomy, reconstruction, and radiation. Her tumor was characterized as multifocal invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 2, estrogen and progesterone positive, and HER2/neu negative. Sylvia has no family history of breast cancer. Marianne notices that the oncologist recorded Sylvia’s cancer as a stage IB. Marianne wonders if the stage was determined before or after chemotherapy and surgery.

    February 15, 2021
    How to Manage Survivor Guilt During a Pandemic
    Patient Support

    How to Manage Survivor Guilt During a Pandemic

    Pandemics have a tremendous impact on societies and individuals alike. From incidence rates to death tolls, financial hardship to job loss, and anxiety to isolation, we’ve all been affected in one way or another—although some much more than others.

    February 11, 2021
    The Case of the Targeted Therapy Toxicities
    Clinical practice

    The Case of the Targeted Therapy Toxicities

    Three years ago, Tony, a 42-year-old man, began FOLFOX chemotherapy treatment for stage III colon cancer and achieved a complete response. Two years later, a biopsy of an intraabdominal lesion uncovered metastatic disease, and he was prescribed the epidermal growth factor inhibitor (EGFRi) cetuximab. Alex, the oncology nurse educating Tony on the side effects of EGFRi therapy, understands that skin toxicities are common with the class of drugs and looks for national guidelines for prevention and management direction.

    January 19, 2021
    How to Accept Criticism With Class
    Interprofessional issues

    How to Accept Criticism With Class

    Quick: what’s your first reaction when you hear the word criticism? Do you brace yourself for feelings of failure and put up a defensive wall? It’s hard to respond otherwise, but try to look at it differently. Criticism can be positive if we accept it with class and let it help us gain knowledge about ourselves.

    January 14, 2021
    The Case of the Virtual Venture
    Clinical practice

    The Case of the Virtual Venture

    Staff in an oncology infusion unit located in an urban healthcare system watched as patient and caregiver stress increased during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and the November 2020 U.S. presidential elections. During a team meeting, Holly, one of the nurses, brought up a study she read about that used virtual reality (VR) as a distraction for patients undergoing chemotherapy. The staff was interested in implementing a similar program at their institution but wasn’t sure how to start. What would you do?

    December 17, 2020
    The Case of the Chronic Cancer Condition
    Clinical practice

    The Case of the Chronic Cancer Condition

    Lisa, a 32-year-old tax accountant, completed treatment for stage III triple-negative breast cancer 18 months ago. During a follow-up appointment, Lisa reported worsening headaches and difficulty concentrating at work. A magnetic resonance imaging scan and subsequent biopsy revealed a solitary brain lesion. She completed stereotactic brain radiation two months ago.

    November 16, 2020
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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.

    Deborah Christensen MSN, APRN, AOCNS®
     
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