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    Clinical and Pharmaceutical Nurse Educators Collaborate to Bring Training to Nurses and Improve Patient Care
    Oncology nurse education
    Clinical and Pharmaceutical Nurse Educators Collaborate to Bring Training to Nurses and Improve Patient Care
    January 13, 2023
    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
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    Complementary therapy

    What the Evidence Says About Low-Intensity Exercise in Cancer Care
    Complementary therapy

    What the Evidence Says About Low-Intensity Exercise in Cancer Care

    Regular, light-intensity exercise and activity has been shown to reduce the risks of fractures, heart disease, and death. Substantial evidence also indicated benefits for cancer-related outcomes, including fatigue, depression, and quality of life. Additional observational data suggested that sustained physical activity may help reduce cancer recurrence and improve overall survival.

    March 30, 2022
    What the Evidence Says About Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbal Formula Xiao Yao San for Depression and Anxiety
    Complementary therapy

    What the Evidence Says About Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbal Formula Xiao Yao San for Depression and Anxiety

    An estimated 16% of patients with cancer experience depressive spectrum disorders in oncologic, hematologic, and palliative care settings, seriously affecting their quality of life. Although conventional antidepressants can be effective in many situations, they are associated with adverse effects, such as fatigue, drowsiness, sleep difficulties, nausea, weight gain, nervousness, dry mouth, blurred vision and sexual dysfunction.

    January 28, 2022
    What the Evidence Says for Traditional Chinese Medicine Ma Zi Ren Wan for Constipation
    Complementary therapy

    What the Evidence Says About Traditional Chinese Medicine Ma Zi Ren Wan for Constipation

    A common and distressing symptom among patients with a variety of health diagnoses as well as the general population, constipation is characterized by reduced stool frequency, incomplete evacuation, straining, and a sense of anorectal blockage. Nearly 43%–58% of patients with cancer report constipation caused by a variety of factors, including organic, functional, or drug associated. Standard treatment options such as fiber supplements, laxatives, and stool softeners are not entirely effective and can cause adverse effects.

    September 24, 2021
    What the Evidence Says For Dance/Movement Therapy in Cancer Care
    Clinical practice

    What the Evidence Says About Dance/Movement Therapy in Cancer Care

    Dance/movement therapy is a complementary modality that may help patients manage cancer and its treatment-associated symptoms. Based on the concept that mind, body, and spirit are interconnected, it combines the communicative elements of dance and movement with other body-focused activities—such as guided imagery, mindfulness, breath awareness, and play—to create an emotionally inviting environment where participants can share feelings and experiences. 

    May 21, 2021
    Electroacupuncture and Auricular Acupuncture for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Cancer Survivors
    Pain management

    Electroacupuncture and Auricular Acupuncture for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Cancer Survivors

    Chronic pain is a common but debilitating late effect for many patients with cancer. When undertreated, patients may experience negative functional, mental, and cancer-related outcomes. Although opioids are often effective for managing cancer pain, they may not be appropriate for some patients and others may struggle to access them because of the opioid crisis. The need for nonpharmacologic pain management options is critical. 

    May 14, 2021
    What the Evidence Says About Music Therapy for Cancer-Related Fatigue?
    Symptom management

    What the Evidence Says About Music Therapy for Cancer-Related Fatigue

    Cancer-related fatigue is a serious, debilitating symptom that affects nearly 90% of patients following treatment, with the majority reporting the adverse event at moderate to severe levels. It can prolong hospital stays and limit patients’ ability to complete their treatments and resume daily activities, ultimately affecting quality of life and survival. Despite high prevalence rates, cancer-related fatigue was reported as “inadequately addressed” in findings from a large multisite study.

    March 15, 2021
    What the Evidence Says for Guided Imagery in Oncologic Care
    Complementary therapy

    What the Evidence Says About Guided Imagery in Oncologic Care

    Imagery is a mind-body practice with deep historical roots. It uses imagination to recreate mental images, sounds, smells and even tastes to help achieve relaxation and to promote healing. Guided imagery can be learned in an interactive manner from a licensed practitioner or from books and self-help tapes. Repeating the practice results in a conditioning effect that can empower the individual to use it whenever needed.

    January 18, 2021
    What the Evidence Says for Cannabis in Cancer Care
    Complementary therapy

    What the Evidence Says About Cannabis in Cancer Care

    An annual flowering herb native to East Asia, Cannabis sativa is cultivated around the world. It is used in traditional medicine as an analgesic, hypnotic, hallucinogenic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory. Preparations derived from its flowers, leaves, and hashish made from its resinous extract are taken orally, by smoking, or by vaporizing. Cannabis teas, tinctures, ointments, and oil-based extracts that can be mixed into food products are also popular.

    September 28, 2020
    ONS Bridge

    Innovation and Opportunity Lead to a Distinguished Career in Nursing Research

    “Nursing is at the forefront of symptom management, and nurse-designed interventions lead the way,” Gwen Wyatt, RN, PhD, FAAN, FAPOS, recipient of the 2020 ONS Distinguished Nurse Researcher Award, said in a session at the inaugural ONS Bridge™ virtual conference. She shared lessons from her career journey and told nurses that ONS can help them get their ideas “off the drawing board.”

    September 15, 2020
    What the Evidence Says for Use of Quigong in Patients With Cancer
    Symptom management

    What the Evidence Says About Qigong in Patients With Cancer

    Qigong is a mind-body practice that originated in China nearly five millennia ago. It integrates movement, meditation, and breath regulation to improve physical and emotional health. The actions are slow, gentle, flowing, repetitious, and weight-bearing and can be adapted or practiced while sitting, standing, or walking. Qigong styles and forms vary widely, depending on the school of thought and philosophy.

    July 20, 2020
    Cope With COVID-19 Through Mind-Body Therapies for Oncology Nurses
    Nurse well-being

    Cope With COVID-19 Through Mind-Body Therapies for Oncology Nurses

    The COVID-19 coronavirus is causing dramatic increases in anxiety and stress around the world, disrupting daily life. Healthcare professionals, including oncology nurses, are confronting enormous challenges as they struggle to deliver optimal patient care.

    April 08, 2020
    What the Evidence Says About Acupuncture and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
    Complementary therapy

    What the Evidence Says About Acupuncture and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

    Sleep disturbances such as insomnia are prevalent and persistent among cancer survivors and diminish quality of life. Because of adverse effects such as continued sleep difficulty, memory disturbances, and falls associated with associated with conventional medications, many patients prefer nonpharmaceutical options to address their insomnia.

    April 08, 2020
    What the Research Cautions About Kratom’s Opioid-Like Abuse Potential
    Complementary therapy

    What the Research Cautions About Kratom’s Opioid-Like Abuse Potential

    Kratom is a Southeast Asian tropical tree, the leaves of which have been chewed, smoked, or made as tea for their stimulant and euphoric effects. They have also been employed in traditional medicine to reduce pain and fever, to relieve diarrhea, for wound healing, and as a substitute for opium. Recently, kratom supplements have become popular in the United States for alleviating pain, improving mood, lowering anxiety, and alternative opioid withdrawal treatment.

    January 13, 2020
    What Does the Evidence Say About Reiki for Cancer?
    Complementary therapy

    What Does the Evidence Say About Reiki for Cancer?

    Reiki is a complementary health approach in which practitioners place their hands lightly on or just above a person to promote a sense of well-being. It was founded by the Japanese Buddhist and spiritual teacher Mikao Usui in the early 20th century and brought to the United States in the 1930s, where it has become increasingly popular.

    November 21, 2019
    Evidence Shows Tai Chi May Be Useful for Insomnia
    Complementary therapy

    Evidence Shows Tai Chi May Be Useful for Insomnia

    Nearly 60% of people with cancer experience insomnia; it can persist for years if not appropriately managed. Furthermore, patients with cancer who have insomnia are at increased risk for infections, anxiety, and depression, which can negatively affect quality of life.

    August 22, 2019
    Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Fatigue
    Complementary therapy

    Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Fatigue

    Fatigue is one of the most prevalent and challenging side effects that people with cancer experience. Commonly known as cancer-related fatigue (CRF), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network  defines it as “a distressing, persistent, subjective sense of physical, emotional, and/or cognitive tiredness or exhaustion related to cancer or cancer treatment that is not proportional to recent activity and interferes with usual functioning.” CRF affects 50%–90% of patients and can diminish quality of life, lead to functional impairment, and is associated with significant morbidity. Although it improves in many patients the year following treatment, CRF may persist over a much longer period in some.

    May 14, 2019
    Evidence Doesn’t Support Antioxidant Supplementation for Patients With Cancer
    Complementary therapy

    Evidence Doesn’t Support Antioxidant Supplementation for Patients With Cancer

    Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, singlet oxygen, and hydrogen peroxide, are byproducts of metabolic processes in the body and play an important role in regulating cell physiology and function. But uncontrolled ROS formation (oxidative stress) can result in DNA, protein, and lipid damage, which has been implicated in several diseases, including cancer. Antioxidants, produced endogenously or in supplemental form, function as ROS scavengers and inhibit oxidative stress. Popular antioxidants include vitamins C and E, selenium, beta carotene, lycopene, resveratrol, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and catechins. They are widely used to prevent cancer and its recurrence.

    March 15, 2019
    The Integrative Oncology Nurse: New Role for a New Era in Cancer Care
    Complementary therapy

    The Integrative Oncology Nurse: New Role for a New Era in Cancer Care

    When patients or loved ones receive a cancer diagnosis, they often experience fear, worry, and a desire to do everything possible to increase the chance of survival. It is also a pivotal time for patients to assess their well-being and lifestyle and make positive changes. For many, complementary therapies become part of their cancer care journey. Internationally, 40% of patients with cancer have reported using complementary therapies to address cancer-related symptoms, improve the effectiveness of conventional treatments, and provide hope.

    November 15, 2018
    Evidence Is Building for Acupuncture as an Opioid Alternative for Cancer Pain
    Complementary therapy

    Evidence Is Building for Acupuncture as an Opioid Alternative for Cancer Pain

    Pain is the most common and debilitating side effect that patients with cancer experience. Contributing factors include the disease itself via tumor invasion on surrounding tissue and bone; nerve compression; treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, especially chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), which can be disabling; and aromatase inhibitors that can cause persistent diffuse joint pain. In addition, pain that “breaks through” continuous pain medicine can be difficult to predict and control.

    September 12, 2018
    APRNs Must Stay Educated About Medical Cannabis in Cancer Care
    Advanced Practice Nursing (APRN)

    APRNs Must Stay Educated About Medical Cannabis in Cancer Care

    As more U.S. states approve the use of medical cannabis, oncology advanced practice RNs (APRNs) may see increasing inquiries from patients who are interested in using it to manage cancer-related symptoms. However, the drug remains illegal under federal law, confounding research efforts for its use in cancer care and limiting the generation of supportive evidence.

    July 25, 2018
    What Does the Research Say About Probiotics and Health?
    Complementary therapy

    What the Evidence Says About Probiotics and Health

    Probiotics are live microorganisms that can offer health benefits following consumption, by reversing dysbiosis: changes in the composition or function of gut microbes associated with the development of many chronic and degenerative diseases. The majority of probiotics contain nonvirulent, lactic acid-producing bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Bifidobacterium, Propionibacterium, and Enterococcus, or yeasts such as Saccharomyces boulardii. They are available as dietary supplements or can be obtained from yogurt and other fermented foods. Probiotics have grown in popularity over the past few decades because of perceived benefits such as improved digestion, immune function, and nutrient absorption.  

    July 16, 2018
    How Aromatherapy With Essential Oils May Help Patients With Cancer
    Complementary therapy

    How Aromatherapy With Essential Oils May Help Patients With Cancer

    Aromatherapy has grown in popularity over the past few decades for improving sleep and mood and for reducing anxiety, but its first use dates back more than 5,000 years. The practice involves using essential (aromatic) oils, derived typically from steam distillation of plants, through application to the skin as a component of therapeutic massage or inhalation with vaporizers, inhalers, or hot water baths.

    May 14, 2018
    Massage Therapy Helps Manage Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema
    Breast cancer

    Massage Therapy Helps Manage Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

    Lymphedema, the chronic swelling of a limb resulting from fluid accumulation, is a common sequela of surgery or radiation treatment for breast cancer. Nearly 90% of women who develop lymphedema do so within three years of treatment. Survivors commonly report physical and emotional distress, limitations to daily activities in fear of exacerbating lymphedema, and body image issues because of an abnormally enlarged limb.

    March 13, 2018
    Music Therapy Can Affect Patients With Cancer
    Complementary therapy

    Evidence Shows How Music Therapy Can Affect Patients With Cancer

    Music has historically been associated with health and healing in cultures around the world. As a therapeutic intervention in patients with cancer, it is used to address physical and psychological symptoms. The sessions are tailored to meet patients’ individual needs and abilities and can involve listening to, writing, performing, or discussing music and lyrics, guided by a trained therapist. Although music does not affect the disease itself, it produces more immediate effects compared to pharmacologic agents, has a positive impact on mood, and strengthens patients’ ability to cope.

    January 12, 2018
    What Routes of Administration Are Available for Medicinal Cannabis?
    Complementary therapy

    What Routes of Administration Are Available for Medicinal Cannabis?

    As medicinal cannabis continues to make its way into practice in states in which it has been legalized for medical use, oncology nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, and all members of the cancer care team must be aware of the ways in which cannabis can be administered to patients. Although medicinal cannabis is still being studied, patients have several ways to use it to combat side effects like pain, nausea, and vomiting associated with cancer and its treatments. Knowing the routes of administration and the potential for drug interactions can help all oncology professionals approach medicinal cannabis in the safest possible ways for their patients.

    January 01, 2018
    Understanding Medicinal Cannabis in Cancer Care
    Complementary therapy

    Understanding Medical Cannabis in Cancer Care

    Medicinal cannabis, a topic that remains largely unstudied in human trials in the United States, is slowly becoming introduced in areas of health care and oncology in states that have legalized it for medical and adult recreational use.

    January 01, 2018
    Yoga for Cancer
    Complementary therapy

    Yoga May Improve Many Side Effects in Patients With Cancer

    December 15, 2017
    Sangeeta Agarawal
    Nurse empowerment

    Oncology Nurse and ONS Member Selected to Attend Global Entrepreneur Summit in India

    In clinics across the country, oncology nurses are moving the needle when it comes to patient-centered care. They innovate, create practice change, and are the lifelines for many of their patients. One oncology nurse and ONS member has combined her unique background in software development and health care to form a new business that aims to provide real-time practice resources to oncology nurses. In recognition of her achievements, ONS member and chief executive officer of Helpsy Health, Sangeeta Agarawal, RN, has been selected to attend the 8th annual Global Entrepreneur Summit (GES) in Hyderabad, India.

    November 30, 2017
    Using Alternative Medicine Instead of Conventional Cancer Treatments Increases Risk of Death
    Research

    Using Alternative Medicine Instead of Conventional Cancer Treatments Increases Risk of Death

    A large study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that patients with nonmetastatic breast, lung, or colorectal cancer who chose to use only alternative medicine had substantially worse survival than patients who received conventional cancer treatment.

    November 29, 2017
    Medicinal Mushrooms in Patients With Cancer
    Complementary therapy

    Safety of Medicinal Mushrooms in Patients With Cancer

    Mushrooms have been valued for their health-promoting and medicinal effects for thousands of years. Research over the past few decades has focused on maitake (Grifola frondosa), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), coriolus (Coriolus versicolor), shiitake (Lentinula edodes), and agaricus (Agaricus blazei), which are predominantly used in Asia.

    November 14, 2017
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