Clinical journal of oncology nursing
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Personalized medicine is the study of patients' unique environmental influences as well as the totality of their genetic code-their genome-to tailor personalized risk assessments, diagnoses, prognoses, and treatments. The study of how patients' genomes affect responses to medications, or pharmacogenomics, is a related field. ⋯ Nurses need to understand related issues such as the role of genetic and genomic counseling, the ethical and legal questions surrounding genomics, and the growing direct-to-consumer genomics industry. As genomics research is incorporated into health care, nurses need to understand the technology to provide advocacy and education for patients and their families.
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Although the third leading cancer in incidence following breast and prostate, lung cancer is the principal cause of cancer death in the United States. The majority of lung cancer cases are detected at an advanced stage when surgical resection is no longer an option. Recent research has concluded that lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography for specific high-risk groups may reduce lung cancer mortality. ⋯ This article provides a historical perspective on the topic of lung cancer screening. The risks and benefits of screening are discussed, and current clinical practice guidelines are reviewed. Oncology nurses will need to be cognizant of the risks, benefits, and current guidelines related to lung cancer screening as they support patients and their families making informed decisions about personal health care.
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Sepsis is a potential life-threatening oncologic emergency. Early recognition and prompt intervention can decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines Committee updated its recommendations in 2012, outlining specific evidence-based interventions to manage sepsis.
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Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) frequently experience treatment-related adverse events (AEs), which may lead to nonadherence or discontinuation from their treatment regimen. In the phase 3 CORRECT study, the addition of regorafenib to best supportive care (BSC) significantly increased overall survival and progression-free survival compared with placebo plus BSC in patients with mCRC who had progressed on all approved standard care therapies. ⋯ The article reviews the most common AEs associated with regorafenib in patients who participated in the CORRECT study and provides a strategy and practical measures that nurses can apply to AE management. In addition, the article provides direction and guidance for educating patients and their caregivers on recognizing and managing potential side effects of regorafenib.
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Attention to the pain that occurs during treatments and procedures for pediatric patients with cancer continues to be a priority. This article describes the development of a pain effectiveness outcome measure at an academic pediatric medical center in order to inform about the implementation of quality improvement strategies and evaluate the effect of these pain interventions within the hospital setting.