Oncology Nursing News Top Stories: August 2022

In August 2022, the relationship between nutrition and cancer was put to the test: myths surrounding sugar, soy, and vegan diets, and their ability to improve or injure patient outcomes were debunked. Similarly, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released updated guidelines with recommendations for diet and exercise for patients undergoing active treatment.

Oncology nurse research took center stage as new findings showed that taxane-based chemotherapy caused hearing loss in the majority of patients with breast, gastrointestinal, gynecological, or lung cancer. Oncology Nursing News® discussed the findings and implications in clinical practice in an exclusive interview with principal investigator Christine Miaskowski, PhD, RN.

Finally, nurses play a powerful role in improving the quality of care for patients. Hear from experts how nurses can help ensure that patients with ovarian cancer receive optimized treatment plans, as well as help create an inclusive environment for all they attend to in their practice.

5. Dispelling Nutrition Myths for Patients With Cancer

Entering the words nutrition and cancer into Google returns as many as 718 million hits. With an overabundance of opinions, it can be challenging to separate fact from fiction. Therefore, in this feature, Nicole Franklin, MS, RDN, CSO, LDN, a registered dietician with the American Oncology Network, calls out 3 commonly held myths about nutrition and cancer and uncovers the bottom line.

4. Audiological Assessments May Be Vital Component of Cancer Survivorship Care Following Chemotherapy

New research efforts led Christine Miaskowski, PhD, RN, show that most adult cancer survivors who undergo treatment with either a platinum-based chemotherapy, taxane alone, or a combined regimen of platinum- and taxane-based treatment, experience some degree of hearing loss. In an interview with Oncology Nursing News®, Miaskowski, a professor in the Department of Physiological Nursing and Anesthesia at UCSF School of Nursing, highlights what these findings mean for clinical practice.

3. Nurses Play Key Role in Facilitating Maintenance Therapy With PARP Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer

In an interview with Oncology Nursing News®, Paula Anastasia, RN, MN, AOCN, a gynecologic Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist for UCLA Health, offers a recap of her presentation at the 6th Annual School of Nursing Oncology. She discusses ways in which nurses can help facilitate maintenance therapy with PARP inhibitors such as olaparib (Lynparza), rucaparib (Rubraca), and niraparib (Zejula), and emphasizes the value of germline testing for this patient population.

2. ASCO Outlines Recommend Aerobic and Resistance Exercises for Patients Undergoing Active Cancer Treatment

ASCO recently convened a panel of experts to conduct a comprehensive literature review of existing data regarding the role of diet, weight, and exercise in defining patient outcomes. The updated guidelines formally recommend aerobic and resistance exercises for patient with cancer, although they note that this is an area of research that continues to be overlooked in clinical trial designs.

1. Addressing Disparities: Practicing Inclusion for LGBTQ+ Patients With Cancer

Identifying and acknowledging disparities helps providers work together to improve access to care and treatment and reduce the cancer risks. Among individuals in the LGBTQ+ community there is less access to care because of a lack of inclusive health care, underrepresentation and exclusions in clinical trials, and lack of coverage for appropriate screenings.

In this feature, our partners at Cancer Care outline key ways that nurses can improve their care delivery and create a practice that is inclusive for marginalized communities.

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