Oncology Nursing News Top Stories: November 2020

Each month, we take a look back at the most popular Oncology Nursing News® stories. Here are the top 5 stories from November 2020.

5. Jeopardy! Host Alex Trebek Died After Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis

Oncology Nursing News was saddened to report that Alex Trebek, host of the popular game show Jeopardy! died on Nov. 8, 2020, following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. He was 80 years old.

4. COVID-19 Pandemic Boosts Cancer-Related Stress

Take a closer look at preliminary data from the COVIPACT study, which found that patients on active therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as oncology care providers, have increased levels of perceived and posttraumatic stress.

3. Nurses Create a Welcoming Environment for LGBTQ Patients

Oncology providers reported gaps in knowledge when treating LGBTQ patients with cancer, as well as a willingness to learn more about this patient population, according to recent research published in Patient Education and Counseling.

2. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatments Continue to Evolve

Beyond single-agent chemotherapy, few effective treatment options are available for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, according to Candace Mainor, MD. But several approaches comprised of immunotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates, and PARP inhibitors are shifting standards of care and eliciting impressive response rates in heavily pretreated patients.

1. States Roll Back Rule Forcing NPs to Practice With Physician Oversight

In most places, laws dictate that nurse practitioners (NPs) must work under the supervision of physicians. But now, many states currently allow NPs to practice without physician oversight. In this interview, Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners explained that this advancement of the NP profession is far overdue, and she hopes that more states catch on.

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