Implementation of Nurse-Led Nutritional Screening in a Community Oncology Setting.

Patients receiving oncology care are at risk for malnutrition, which is associated with decreased cancer treatment tolerance, lower quality of life, and increased mortality. Implementation of frequent nutritional screening is.

How Did the Variant Get Its Name? Understanding Gene and Variant Nomenclature.

Genomics is foundational to precision oncology. Oncology nurses regularly review germline and somatic biomarker testing reports. The taxonomy and nomenclature of biomarker results have evolved. Accurate understanding and inte.

When Germline Genetic Testing Results Are Unclear: Highlighting Variants of Uncertain Significance.

With the advent of high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) and multigene panel testing, genetic testing and interpretations have become increasingly complex. Specifically, reports demonstrating "variant of uncertain significance" (VUS) present interpretative challenges. Misinterpretation of a VUS may result in clinical harm, emotional distress for patients and family members, and potential health-care provider liability. The following article and deidentified case study illustrate how a lack of health-care provider and patient understanding of a germline VUS resulted in a negative patient outcome and unnecessary surgery.

Myeloid Malignancies: Recognizing the Risk of Germline Predisposition and Supporting Patients and Families.

There is increasing recognition of the role of inheritance in myeloid malignancies. Differentiating germline from somatic variants in a hematologic malignancy is challenging but important. Oncology nurses need to be knowledgeable about the germline risk associated with myeloid malignancies; the inherited risk is well established and has implications for affected individuals as well as family members who may be at risk for malignancy themselves or who are being evaluated to serve as a related donor for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Using a Genomics Taxonomy: Facilitating Patient Care Safety and Quality in the Era of Precision Oncology.

Oncology nurses need to be competent in the ever-expanding application of genomics in cancer care, and understanding foundational terms is necessary. A landscape analysis of Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) materials, a literature review, and expert opinion revealed inconsistencies and varying use of genomic terms, some of which are outdated. In response, the ONS Genomics Taxonomy was built to address inaccuracies and discrepancies in terms and to be an accessible resource for oncology nurses. The taxonomy is a living document that is updated to reflect evolving science and evidence and serves to diminish confusion, improve genomic literacy, and assist oncology nurses in providing safe genomic care.

Graduate Nursing Education: Selecting the Right Program to Match Career Goals.

Practicing nurses are returning to school to further their education. There is a growing demand for nurses with advanced degrees to meet the needs of an expanding population of patients living with cancer. However, there are many different graduate nursing degree and program options, and several considerations should be taken into account when selecting a degree and a school. Discerning career goals is key to making the best decisions.

Biomarkers in Cutaneous Melanoma: Implications for Patient Education and Support.

BACKGROUND: Elucidation of key biomarkers, as indicators and drivers of the pathologic processes in cutaneous melanoma (CM), has led to the development of effective targeted therapies. OBJECTIVES: This article provides an overview of key concepts in advanced CM, particularly the essential role of biomarkers and biomarker testing to guide treatment. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in CINAHL® and PubMed® using the following search terms. FINDINGS: Targeted BRAF/MEK inhibitors, as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors, have vastly improved long-term outcomes in advanced CM. Deepening understanding of the biologic and genomic features of CM and their interactions with the host immune system is critical for predicting treatment and survival outcomes and developing new therapies.

Putting evidence into practice: prevention and management of bleeding in patients with cancer.

The primary cause of bleeding in patients with cancer is thrombocytopenia and it commonly is attributed to myelosuppressive chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow infiltration of the malignancy. Oncology nurses have a critical role to play in the prevention and management of bleeding in patients with cancer. As part of an Oncology Nursing Society Putting Evidence Into Practice (PEP) project team, the authors of this article reviewed the current literature to identify effective interventions in the prevention and management of bleeding in patients with cancer. The authors evaluated research studies conducted since 1991, current clinical practice guidelines, and systematic reviews. The literature was reviewed, synthesized, and developed into evidence tables that were ultimately published in a PEP card. All data were reviewed by experts in the field of thrombocytopenia. The Prevention of Bleeding PEP card was unveiled at the 8th Annual Institutes of Learning in November 2007.