Lisa Schulmeister, RN, MN, APRN-BC, FAAN

Patients with cancer who suffer severe distress are more likely to miss appointments during the course of their radiation therapy and be admitted to the hospital.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recently published a special article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology that idicated that even one alcoholic drink per day can increase cancer risk.

The researchers found that job lock was more common among survivors reporting previous health insurance denial and difficulties paying medical bills. Job lock was also more frequent among women and in survivors who had a severe, disabling, or life-threatening health condition.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology, Friends of Cancer Research, and the Food and Drug Administration published clinical trial eligibility recommendations in a special issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology that aim to broaden who can be accepted into clinical trials.

Advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners (NPs), are increasingly specializing in their areas of practice. In response, specialty nursing organizations have delineated the scope and standards of advanced practice in these specialty areas.

Breast cancer, the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States, is the second leading cause of cancer death among women after lung cancer. To track trends in disease incidence, mortality, and survival the American Cancer Society (ACS) analyzes data every 2 years.

A recent study examined the incidence of liver cancer in many countries around the world and found that although it is among the leading causes of cancer deaths, in most cases, it can be prevented.

CIPN can be long-lasting and debilitating for a patient and, therefore, disrupt quality of life. It can also potentially lead to dose reduction and, in some cases, discontinuation of the agent causing the CIPN.

On October 10, 2017, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) posted a draft recommendation statement on education about skin cancer prevention.

Nearly a month after Hurricane Maria left a path of destruction in Puerto Rico, the island is still trying to pick of the pieces.

Radical prostatectomy was not associated with significantly lower all-cause or prostate-cancer mortality than observation.

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute assessed cancer incidence rates from 2005 to 2014 to identify trends for cancers associated with being overweight or obese.

Incidence evaluated at 11 National Cancer Institute–designated cancer centers reveals more about occurrence in day-to-day clinical practice.

In April 2017, the American Society of Clinical Oncology released a position statement, Strategies for Reducing Cancer Health Disparities Among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations, with the goal of educating healthcare providers about challenges faced by LGBTI individuals with cancer.

Survivors of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are at a greater risk of heart failure than the general population, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Improved healthcare communication can often lead to better health outcomes for patients.

People being treated for cancer often experience “sticker shock” when they learn what charges they will be responsible for paying and/or when they receive billing invoices.

Updated United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines on prostate cancer screening were recently published in Cancer.

With the rate of diagnosis growing, oncology nurses play a key role in detecting the disease in early stages by becoming familiar with signs and symptoms.

A group of researchers led by a physician from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City examined the natural history and growth kinetics of low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), defined as intrathyroidal tumors ≤1.5 cm in size.

Clinicians are aware of established guidelines for post-treatment surveillance and follow-up of people who have been treated for cancer. But what do patients expect?

Bladder cancer is uncommon, and is more often diagnosed at an advanced stage because it has symptoms that mimic other disorders.

Physical activity may be effective in mitigating cancer-related cognitive impairment. Prior studies show this may be a promising treatment. However, sample sizes were small and self-reported measures varied.

Confusion about sunscreen options and ingredients can lead to inadequate sun protection and increased skin cancer risk. The Environmental Working Group has resources to help.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic evaluated the use of secreted proteins as markers of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Hair repigmentation in patients receiving anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 treatment may be a response marker.

Clinicals can use mutiple-gene panels to identify mutations to test for breast cancer and ovarian cancer risk.

Among long-term CRC survivors, regular use of aspirin is associated with overall survival and use of NSAIDs was significantly associated with improved survival only in individuals with KRAS wild-type tumors.

ASCO has released its Clinical Practice Guidelines as an app so clinicians can keep important information at their fingertips.

The Internet provides easy access to companies marketing products that claim to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure cancer. Healthcare practitioners and patients need to be vigilant.