From the Editor

In this issue of The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA, we offer a selection of topics that we hope you will find useful in your daily practice as you care for patients with cancer.

Julie Silver, MD, discusses cancer prehabilitation and notes that nurses are “uniquely positioned to contribute to and/or lead prehabilitation efforts that may reduce the burden of cancer on individuals and society.” A growing body of research shows that the concept of prehabilitation is vital to improving outcomes for patients. Dr Silver talks about leading the launch of the STAR Program Prehab, which models best practices and translates current evidence into protocols that can be implemented by hospitals and cancer centers.

We also feature an article about malignant pleural effusions. Linda Schiech, RN, MSN, AOCN, LNC, writes about treatments for this debilitating adverse event that affects approximately 15% of patients with cancer—usually those who are in the advanced stages of their disease. She presents information about the diagnosis and various treatment options for this complication.

In this issue, we share highlights of the recent World Cutaneous Malignancies Congress (WCMC) and the Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. WCMC presents some of the cutting-edge research in cutaneous malignancies. This information helps us keep current with possible treatment directions in this field. From the Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, we share results of a presentation that shows that patients with colorectal cancer who underwent sphincter-preserving surgery or anastomosis are unprepared to deal with their long-term bowel dysfunction. Virginia Sun, RN, PhD, stated, “Evidence-based interventions that are timely and personalized are needed to support positive adjustments to bowel changes following surgery.”

Be sure to read about Laura Zitella, an advanced practice provider (APP)/nurse practitioner at Stanford Health Care who was the first recipient of the APP of the Year Award presented by the APP General Council and the Center for Advanced Practice at Stanford. Also, read the interview with Jessica Engel, DNP, FNP-BC, AOCNP, who received the Oncology Nurse Excellence Award at the recent Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators Fifth Annual Conference. Both of these women illustrate the best of our profession!