The February issue of The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA (TON) is filled with important news and insights for today’s oncology nurse.
The July issue of The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA (TON) is packed with indispensable news and insights for today’s oncology nurse.
In this issue, we feature a profile of the Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, OH, where, in my capacity as a nurse practitioner in the Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, my primary role is to diagnose and manage patients with multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and other hematologic disorders.
As always, we hope you will enjoy this issue of TON and look forward to receiving your feedback.
It’s been a busy time in the world of oncology. The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) held its 37th Annual Congress in May while the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) took place this month. The Oncology Nurse- APN/PA (TON) was at both events. Our coverage of the news from the ONS and ASCO meetings starts with this issue and will continue over the next several issues.
With this issue, we introduce the 4 finalists for the second annual Oncology Nurse Excellence award. The 4 finalists—Darcie Deaver, MSN, NP-C; Wendy Miano, RN, MSN, DNP, DN; Patricia (Patti) Palmer, RN, MS, AOCN; and Deborah Thompson, BSN, ONC—were selected from among the many nominations we received. Given the caliber of all the nominees, it was very difficult to narrow it down to just 4 finalists.
Imagine being newly diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a neoplasm of hematopoietic stem cells caused by the Philadelphi chromosome t(9;22). In decades past, individuals diagnosed with CML were offered allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT). Survival rates with allo- HSCT are lower compared with newer therapies mainly due to the risk of graft-versus-host disease and infectious complications.
Dr Hansen provides a thorough review of adherence in cancer therapy and the growing use of oral therapies. These agents may provide patient convenience, but they also present significant adherence issues. As Dr Hansen reported, it cannot be assumed that a patient will adhere to the prescribed medication doses and schedules simply because he or she is facing a potentially life-threatening illness.
Dr Hansen’s article brings to light financial aspects of healthcare that we do not often consider. A recent economic analysis showed the total cost of cancer care in the US reached $209.9 billion in 2005.1 The high costs of chronic cancer care come in second to cardiac disease (23% and 38%, respectively).2,3 However, increased costs do not yield longer life.
Dr Hansen provided a comprehensive review of the challenges patients face when diagnosed with cancer. She illustrated that while improved survival is a welcome benefit to many of today’s cancer patients, psychological, social, and emotional struggles exist. Several considerations come to mind, such as where does one obtain information regarding care? Does the patient- provider relationship affect treatment, and what is the role of the oncology nurse (ON) in the care of cancer patients?
Dear Colleague,
The “Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer,” emerging from a collaboration of the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Cancer Society, shows declines in cancer rates and improved survival. It helps reassure us that the resources invested to fight cancer have not been misplaced.
To sign up for our newsletter or print publications, please enter your contact information below.
