As an ONS member, I participate in the Bipartisan Policy Center and represent oncology nursing in dialogue and advocacy regarding health policy topics that are at the forefront of cancer care.
Sterotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) was found to improve overall survival in two different populations of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to two studies presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology annual meeting.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) added seven new substances to the 14th release of its Report on Carcinogens in November 2016. This brings the total number of HHS-identified carcinogens to 248.
Gwen is a 64-year-old woman, recently diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer. She has her first meeting with the medical oncologist today at 10 am. When she hasn’t arrived by 11 am, Tara, the nurse, calls Gwen’s home to check in on her.
The presence of certain intestinal bacteria types may improve the efficacy of alkylating chemotherapy agents such as cyclophosphamide, according to the results of a new study published in Immunity.
On December 19, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to rucaparib (RUBRACA™, Clovis Oncology Inc.) for treatment of patients with deleterious BRCA mutation (germline and/or somatic) associated advanced ovarian cancer who have been treated with two or more chemotherapies.
On December 13, 2016, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) announced that three roles of the VA’s APRNs will be able to practice to the full extent of their licensure at VA clinics and hospitals. Certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse specialists, and certified midwifes will see an increased scope in practice authority. Excluded from this ruling are certified RN anesthetists, which the VA is still accepting comment on their inclusion for future rulemaking.
Since the first article on exercise for patients with cancer appeared in the literature in 1986, numerous studies have confirmed its benefits on disease- and treatment-related fatigue, anxiety and depression, sleep quality, lymphedema, bone and muscle strength, and risk of recurrence.
Sarcopenic obesity, a dual condition in which patients lose muscle mass but gain fat mass, can both be caused by and complicate cancer and its treatment.
