FDA Approves Crizotinib for ROS1-Positive Lung Cancer

On March 11, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved crizotinib capsules (Xalkori®, Pfizer, Inc.) for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are ROS1-positive. Crizotinib was first approved in 2011 for the treatment of patients whose tumors are anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive.

ONS Members Teach Advanced Courses in Palliative Care in the Middle East

Health care, specifically oncology, doesn’t adhere to country borders or cultural differences. Cancer, in its many forms, affects millions the world over, and groups like the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC) and ONS are working diligently to spread quality cancer care interventions to the region.

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.

The Importance of Caring for the Caregiver

As oncology nurses, we have all encountered the caregivers of our patients. Caregivers come in all ages and genders. They can be old and young, male and female. We have seen young mothers at the besides of their suffering husbands, and elderly gentlemen at the bedsides of their sick wives. What can we do for the caregivers who are experiencing their own challenges caring for their loved ones in these trying times?

Patient Education Needs With Pazopanib Therapy for Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Few therapies are effective for treating advanced soft tissue sarcoma, so pazopanib quickly became a commonly prescribed therapy once it was approved for STS in April 2012. Although pazopanib is safe and effective, patients must be educated about its administration and side effects.

Association Found Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Leukemia Risk

Leukemia rates are two times higher in people living at higher latitudes who are exposed to lower levels of sunlight and are more likely to be vitamin D deficient, according to the results of a recent study published in PLOS One.

How Oncology Nurses Can Help Patients Mitigate the Cost-Sharing Burden of Treament

Increasing healthcare expenses have become a major concern for patients with cancer, especially considering the cost of oncology medications and treatment plans. On Friday, February 26, ONS President-Elect Susan Schneider, PhD, RN, AOCN®, FAAN, participated in a discussion titled “Exploring Innovative Strategies to Mitigate Cost-Sharing Burdens for Patients” at the event Cost-Sharing Roundtable: Improving Patient Access to Critical Therapies hosted by the Patient Access Network (PAN) and the American Journal of Managed Care in Washington, DC.

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.

ONS Member Recognized for Work in Self-Care, Symptom Management

For many, oncology isn’t just a profession. It’s a devotion and a passion. It becomes an encompassing enterprise through which one strives to make the lives of patients and nurses better. That’s ONS member Marylin J. Dodd, PhD, RN, FAAN. She’s been named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) for her groundbreaking work in self-care, along with her studies in symptom management.

Capitol Hill Roundup: President-Elect Speaks at Panel; ONS Members Attend Biden Roundtable

Big change often comes from small beginnings. That’s why our ONS members, staff, and representatives are working every day to bring the fight of the oncology nurse to the forefront of the political world. One of the most important services ONS provides to its members involves advocating for oncology nurses and their patients in the political arenas on Capitol Hill and throughout the country.

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