This issue of The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA (TON) is our final issue for 2014. We look forward to wrapping up the year on a high note and plan on pertinent and insightful coverage for 2015.
In this issue, we finalize our coverage of the news from this year’s Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) 39th Annual Congress. Susan C. McMillan, who received the ONS Distinguished Nurse Researcher Award, discussed how we can improve cancer-related and treatment-related symptoms for our patients, noting that “We need to do better. It is the oncology nurse’s job to address symptom management.” Gretchen McNally presented information about ibrutinib, which has been approved by the FDA to treat patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma. A show of hands of her audience at ONS showed that the majority of oncology nurses have not yet had any experience with ibrutinib. Both presentations provide information that will help us all in our daily practice.
We also present coverage from the recent annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology. Approximately two-thirds of the estimated 1.6 million people who will be diagnosed with cancer this year will receive radiation therapy. This is a topic we all need to be familiar with.
Be sure to read Sue Bond’s Perspectives column. In A Pair of Shoes, she discusses the connections, intended or not, that nurses may make with those who need care. She reflects on a statement a colleague made: “You go in, you go in deep, and then you’re out.” Sue talks about some healthy ways we can all use when these connections are made.
New technology that potentially can help patients is the topic of our reader poll. Read Angela Long’s Empowering Patients and Survivors column and then see below for information about going to our website, www.TheOncologyNurse.com, to answer the question and provide your comments.
All of us at TON wish you the best for 2015.
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