Rebuilding the Breast

In the journey of a patient with breast cancer, there are many touchpoints where nurses can make a significant difference in the quality of their experience. From educating patients about their surgical options to supporting them with postoperative care to providing them with tools and information to have a successful recovery, nurses are there.

This month’s cover story highlights some of the latest breast reconstruction surgery techniques. Penny Banks, MSN, BSN, RN, who is featured on the cover, explains that newer procedures improve on older techniques by avoiding cutting muscles and by using a patient’s own tissue from other parts of their body to recreate the breast. Several other nurses share what they do to support patients through their reconstruction journeys.

Two feature stories highlight finalists from this year’s CURE® Extraordinary Healer® award for Oncology Nursing. Elizabeth Davis, BSN, RN, CPN, and Jackie Miller, BSN, RN, OCN, were nominated by their colleagues for their innovative practices. You will read about the compassion, expertise, and helpfulness each demonstrates to deserve the recognition.

In her column, Lisa Schulmeister, MN, RN, FAAN, explains the importance and the recommended procedures for identifying immune-related adverse events and reporting them to the Food and Drug Administration. In our Fast Facts for the Frontline column, the question of the nurse’s role in addressing patients’ spiritual needs is addressed. The Professionally Speaking column addresses the pros and cons of nurses wearing costumes in cancer care.

In news from our nursing school partners, a group of researchers at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven successfully tested a postsurgery protocol that bypassed the surgical intensive care unit for patients with head and neck cancer who underwent free tissue flaps and composite resections. Their efforts reduced length of stay and drastically cut the rate of readmissions. Also, Michigan State University offers an update on what is included in the multigene panel test for breast cancer and why.

The October Continuing Education articles cover the gamut from a new technology in breast cancer biopsies to developments in brain, gastric, and ovarian cancers, and lymphoma.

As always, we hope you find this issue engaging and informative and that it enhances your practice.

Mike Hennessy, Sr

Chairman and CEO