Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing
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Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs · Apr 2019
ReviewManagement of Immune-Related Adverse Events Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: a Minireview of Current Clinical Guidelines.
Successful targeting and inhibition of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 and programmed cell death-1 protein/programmed cell death ligand 1 immune checkpoint pathways has led to a rapidly expanding repertoire of immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of various cancers. The approved agents now include ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, durvalumab, avelumab, and cemiplimab. ⋯ Herein, we review the mechanisms of irAEs and strategies for management of irAEs and highlight similarities as well as differences among clinical guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, and European Society for Medical Oncology. Understanding these similarities and key differences will facilitate the development and implementation of a practice site-specific plan for the management of irAEs.
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The objective of the study was to conduct a concept analysis of "self-management of cancer pain" to develop a theoretical definition of the concept and identify its attributes, antecedents, and outcomes. The Rodgers' evolutionary model of concept analysis was used. Literature published from January 2000 to February 2017 containing the terms, "cancer pain" and "self-management" in their title and/or abstract was assessed. ⋯ The outcomes were classified into the following three categories: pain relief, well-being, and empowerment. The attributes of self-management of cancer pain can be used as components of nursing practice to promote patient self-management of cancer pain. The categories of antecedents can be used as indicators for nursing assessment, and the outcomes can be used as indicators for evaluations of nursing intervention.
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Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs · Jul 2016
ReviewNurses' Knowledge and Attitudes toward Complementary Therapies for Cancer: A Review of the Literature.
Complementary therapies (CTs) are nonconventional supportive therapies, which are used by the patients with cancer. The use of CTs has been known to alleviate symptoms as a result of chemotherapy and to improve quality of life. However, if CTs are inappropriately used, there may be adverse reactions or no effect resulting in poor support of the cancer treatment. ⋯ Three major themes were identified by the thematic analysis of reviewed studies: nurses' knowledge about CTs, nurses' attitudes toward CTs, and sources information about CTs. The majority of studies investigating nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward the use of CTs for oncology was conducted in developed countries. Overall, it was identified that nurses need to improve their knowledge and skills about CTs so that they were more confident to assist patients in integrating conventional treatment and CTs for cancer management.
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Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs · Jan 2016
ReviewCancer Prehabilitation for Patients Starting from Active Treatment to Surveillance.
The purpose of this brief summary is to introduce the concept of cancer prehabilitation and the role of oncology nurses in prehabilitation care. Cancer prehabilitation has been defined by Sliver and Baima (2013) as "a process on the cancer continuum of care that occurs between the time of cancer diagnosis and the beginning of acute treatment." The evidence supports the notion that prehabilitation programs can improve physical and psychological health outcomes and decrease overall health care costs. The care model for cancer prehabilitation should include timely and efficient assessment throughout the care continuum with a focus on improving outcomes in cancer at every stage. ⋯ Teaching, counseling, discharge planning, and coordination should also be part of an oncology nurse's role in cancer prehabilitation. It is suggested that cancer care managers or navigators be trained in the assessment of their patients' physical and psychological status once the cancer diagnosis has been identified and the patient has decided to receive active treatment, especially for those waiting for surgery at home. Oncology nurses could increase their competence with prehabilitation care by gaining knowledge about cancer-related treatments and their outcomes for specific cancers and by strengthening the ability to assess the functional status and psychological distress of their patients.