Contributors

A study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery described a surgical procedure called prepectoral breast reconstruction that was used among patients who had mastectomies and radiation therapy following their breast cancer diagnosis.

I decided to take on a personal video challenge during the month of November, to share cancer information with patients and caregivers. I created a series of livestream videos on Facebook each weekday.

Every year I attend the ONS Congress, and I find it to be an educational high, as I enjoy seeing oncology nurses from around the globe come together, networking, sharing best practices, mentoring, and presenting the latest and greatest data in oncology practice to our peers. This year, I will be presenting on the topic of leadership.

Elise James, LCSW, and Mayra Garcia, LCSW, describe the Stem Cell Transplant Meet and Greet program at The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, which provides psychosocial support to pre-transplant patients.

An 11-year study showed that patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer who learned to manage their stress with cognitive behavioral interventions had less depression and a better quality of life.

Elderly women living in nursing homes who were diagnosed with breast cancer may face a greater chance of death compared with their non-resident peers–despite what, for many in other age groups, is routine surgery. Therefore, the decision to perform breast cancer surgery must lie with the patient, family, and her physician.

As nurses, we need to step up as mentors and help newer nurses achieve their goals.

This is the third in a 3-part series about nurses as advocates within healthcare.

My training as a registered nurse helped me as I developed long-distance relationships with several women who have anal cancer--I call them my “virtual sorority sisters.”

A weekend of immersion in the energy and enthusiasm of the National Nurses in Business Association annual conference left me recharged and ready to take my own ideas forward.

As oncology nurses we need to be aware of complementary therapies and how they may potentially interact with our conventional therapies.

Patient education comes in many forms. Consider the podcast.

Though having well-fitting wigs and prostheses may seem like secondary concerns to some, providing these items—and a safe environment within which to learn about them—can go a long way in helping a patient feel supported and positive about their appearance while they are receiving treatment.

As oncology nurses, we are uniquely positioned to proactively address the disparity in breast cancer mortality in the United States.

Caregivers of people with cancer should get flu shots.

This is the second in a series of 3 articles about nurses as advocates.

Five tips for helping patients ready themselves for emergencies.

Men tend not to seek out help for psychosocial issues—notably less often than women do, but a recent survey of patients with prostate cancer showed that 97% felt there was a need to help patients recognize the symptoms of anxiety and depression and find treatment for them.

What can we, as oncology nurses, do to decrease young adult patients’ anxiety and improve their outcomes on their paths into the unknown?

I was particularly drawn to Robert Pearl, MD's comments on Senator John McCain's decision to discontinue therapy—he called it "a service to his family and loved ones."

Nurses can influence patients’ health status directly through hands-on care and indirectly by engaging patients in their treatment.

This is the first in a 3-part series about nurses as advocates within healthcare.

In family caregiving, no amount of previous experience or academic degree can prepare individuals for the role.

An oncology nurse is an observer in what is sometimes a life-and-death drama. But sometimes, we must step into the scene and help the patient get information about what might happen before the curtain falls.

If a nurse inadvertently connects an enteral device to another type of tube such as intravenous line or tracheal tube, it can cause the patient harm. Specialized connectors can prevent this from happening.

The 2nd Annual School of Nursing Oncology™, held in Chicago on August 3-4, offered educational opportunities in a fun and exciting setting for oncology nurses.

As a social worker, I have come to understand the different ways patients redefine hope, gratitude, and spirituality after being diagnosed with cancer.

What can we, as oncology nurses, offer to patients who face a recurrence?

There are things oncology nurses can do to reduce their risk of gastric ulcers, and potentially, gastric cancer.

The R25 Nursing Grant program challenges oncology nurses to rethink how to care for older patients with cancer.