June 2012

Patients (and even clinicians) often don't know which facilities are considered leaders in the treatment of various types of cancer, and a bit of detective work is generally required.

Nurse staffing varies from institution to institution, depending on many factors, both internal and external. To gain a better understanding of nurse staffing, ratios of nurses to patients, and productivity, a survey was sent to ONS members.

Although the role of adequate nutrition in cancer patients is gaining recognition as being important, the area is often neglected as a key component of nursing care.

Colon cancer is equally as likely as breast and ovarian cancer to be hereditary (approximately 10% of cases, overall) and there are many different genes responsible for these cases.

Diagnostic tests are common across the spectrum of cancer care, but results may not always be easily interpreted or applied clinically.

Nurses involved in cancer care should be up to date on the growing number of applications for interventional radiology in oncology, since some centers may call upon them to work within the quickly developing area.

One goal for a successful nurse navigator program is to be able to recognize distress as a condition that plays a large part in the patient's cancer journey.

For the lucky ones who attended the ONS 37th Annual Congress, it was easy not only to learn the latest findings, but also to be inspired by thousands of passionate oncology nurses.