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    ONS Members Recognized for Achievements in Oncology Nursing
    In The News
    ONS Members Recognized for Achievements in Oncology Nursing
    October 13, 2017
    Breast Cancer Awareness
    Breast cancer
    Why Breast Cancer Awareness Is Important All Year
    October 06, 2017
    nurses quitting smoking
    Oncology nurse scientist
    Oncology Nurses Champion Tobacco Cessation Programs
    September 29, 2017
    Nursing School
    Nursing education
    After 100 Years, Nursing School Is Both Different Yet Still the Same
    September 22, 2017
    Vicky Reiser
    Compassion fatigue
    How Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Can Reduce Compassion Fatigue
    August 29, 2017
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    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
    supportive oncology services
    Cancer screening

    Local Organizations Can Make a Big Difference in Cancer Care

    I have the privilege of managing and being the sole provider in a unique program. I work in the Hereditary Cancer Program at Saint Louis University Cancer Center, where I provide risk assessment services and education about genetic testing to individuals and families in the region. It’s an amazing nursing role, and I can truly help people prevent cancer and manage their risk.

    June 28, 2017
    Melanoma Awareness
    Melanoma

    Encourage Malignant Melanoma Awareness in May

    As Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, May is the perfect time to encourage people to examine their skin and seek medical assistance if they recognize signs of a melanoma. Early detection and prompt treatment is associated with a much higher survival rate for skin cancer diagnoses.

    May 12, 2017
    Double Helix
    Genetics & genomics

    The Story of Henrietta Lacks Sheds Light on Ethical Considerations in Genetic Testing

    Imagine a situation where a patient’s tumor cells were used for countless scientific experiments—without the patient’s informed consent. Safeguards are in place today to prevent such an ethical breach, but in 1951 Henrietta Lacks and her family weren’t as lucky. Author Rebecca Skloot shared Henrietta’s story in a 2010 nonfiction book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, that was adapted into a movie released on April 22, 2017.

    April 28, 2017
    Walking the dog
    Cancer prevention

    Physical Activity Benefits Patients and Nurses Throughout Life

    My husband is a gerontologist. My oldest daughter is an RN working with acutely ill elderly patients at a busy academic medical center. They both know that living to 90 or 100 years old is becoming the norm. They’ll also tell you that the habits formed throughout a lifetime can make a big difference in the quality of life as one gets older.

    April 07, 2017
    Clinical practice

    Genetic Testing Is Important for Survivorship

    Cancer survivorship is filled with many challenges, hopes, and expectations. June 5 marks National Survivorship Day, and survivorship is being celebrated throughout the month. Survivors are often not sure where they're going once their cancer journey commences. In my practice, I care for people with a genetic risk for cancer, and I work with survivors on a regular basis.

    June 04, 2016
    Cancer prevention

    Spread Awareness on Melanoma Monday

    On one of the first warm spring days in St. Louis, I came home and found my active dog, Maggie, sound asleep and enjoying the warmth of the sun. Like many humans, she was taking pleasure in a beautiful day and found it relaxing. As the summer approaches, many will spend much more time outside. Despite the inviting nature of a warm day, there are still hidden dangers. 

    April 28, 2016
    Nurse self-care

    Embracing the Hidden Benefits of Walking

    I have an energetic dog, Maggie. She’s a lab, German shepherd mix. She always sleeps much better when she has had a nice long walk in the neighborhood. I try to get her out most days, and I always go at least a mile—usually longer. She gets excited when she sees the leash, and we both reap the benefits of walking. It’s a great habit and something feels wrong when I miss a day.
    April 25, 2016
    Oncology nurse influence

    Supporting Nurses With Disabilities

    Recently, my middle daughter and I submitted a Letter to the Editor that was published in the professional nursing journal Nurse Educator. It was in response to a paper in the journal that emphasized the need for professional nursing to embrace and implement means for nurses with disabilities to contribute to excellent patient care.

    April 07, 2016
    Patient safety

    Celebrate Patient Safety Week

    March 13-19, 2016 marks Safety Awareness Week. It encourages both patients and healthcare professionals to take a role in promoting patient safety. This is an appropriate message, because it takes everyone working together to make care as safe as possible for patients, families, and the healthcare professionals who provide this care.

    March 13, 2016
    Cancer risk factors

    Addressing Myths About Family History and Cancer Risk

    Urban legends. Myths. Sometimes you should not believe everything you hear or read. The more emotionally charged the issue, often the bigger the myth. In my practice of providing cancer risk assessment and genetics education and counseling, patients often thank me at the end of the session and tell me they are going to explore the information more extensively at home on the internet. 

    March 09, 2016
    Oncology nurse influence

    My Unexpected Journey to Oncology Nursing

    I never anticipated that I would be an oncology nurse. In fact, I’m not exactly sure what led me to the path of nursing. My paternal grandmother was a nurse and worked for a few short years before she married. She lived to see me graduate from Saint Louis University in 1983 and take my first job on an oncology floor. I am not sure how much influence she carried. I do know that she was always proud that she had become a nurse.

    March 03, 2016
    Clinical practice

    Understanding How Portion Control Keeps You Healthy

    I was recently at a lovely event with a buffet. The food was spectacular and there were many choices for eaters of all palates. What struck me was the large size of the plates provided. It felt like they were encouraging diners to take larger portions or to load up on many different foods. There’s no doubt that many adults and children have no idea what a reasonable portion looks like or even what constitutes a serving. In all honesty, the size of the plate matters more than you think.

    February 10, 2016
    Clinical practice

    Nurses Don't Take Snow Days

    People will discuss the enormous amount of snow that fell on the East Coast during January 2016 for some time to come. It was predicted, and the snowfall lived up to the hype. My daughters have lived with healthcare professionals their entire lives, and they know that healthcare providers do not get a day off just because the weather is bad. There are no snow days. Patients are still sick. Many people do not stop to think about the sacrifices and extra time it takes healthcare providers to get to work during inclement weather. Just prior to the big snow, there had been a smaller one in St.

    February 01, 2016
    Genetics & genomics

    Sometimes Waiting Is the Best Decision

    Last fall, I was walking with my dog at our cabin in the Ozarks of Missouri.  I had my camera.  I came to a clear area, and, on a dead tree, I spotted a large bird and then another. For some reason, Maggie, our energetic Lab mix, was quiet. I watched the birds from a distance and took a series of photos. Then, without warning, all of these birds started to fly away.

    January 23, 2016
    Breast cancer

    Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Make the News Again

    There are numerous activities to promote breast cancer awareness.  My youngest daughter, Elaine, is a nursing student who also swims for the Saint Louis University Billikens.  During October, the entire team, men and women donned pink caps and shirts instead of their typical bright blue to promote awareness about breast cancer.  The team was unified on this one, and I have no doubt it made people stop and think.  Anything that makes people think about the early detection of breast cancer is a good thing.

    January 17, 2016
    Cancer risk prevention

    A Healthy Lifestyle Prevents Cancers

    The importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet to maintain a healthy weight should not be underestimated. Healthy habits often need to be fostered. They need to be automatic and practiced consistently. The earlier they are developed, the bigger the benefits.
    September 02, 2014
    Clinical practice

    Use Physical Sunscreens to Block the Sun and Prevent Skin Cancer

    July 16, 2014
    Patient Education

    Top 10 Reasons Why Sunglasses Are More Than Just a Fashion Accessory

    Darker lenses do not necessarily provide more protection from harmful ultraviolet rays—consumers need to check the label to be sure the pair blocks 99%–100% of both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation or say “UV absorption up to 400 nm."
    July 04, 2014
    Suzanne Mahon RN, DNSc, AOCN®, AGN-BC
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