Oncology Nurse the Maxim \'Prevention

Oncology Nurse

The maxim 'prevention is better than cure' is appropriate in the management of cancer as research reveals that at least one third of all cancers are preventable. [Michele Gaguski, 2006] in this regard, the advancements in genetics and the development of the new field of genetic nursing practice come into play. Over the last decade, and particularly in the last few years, there has been a paradigm shift with gene therapy already making significant inroads in the fight against cancer. By 2020, it is expected that around 50% of all drugs in the U.S. And Europe would be biopharmaceuticals (genetically engineered) and nursing staff would be in charge of delivering them under varied clinical settings. [Teri Capriotti, 2001] This has a profound effect on the role of the oncology nurse. Cancer nurses are expected to have sufficient knowledge of the genetics of the disease and are playing a proactive role in the identification, treatment and care giving for cancer patients. Just as educating the public about healthy living habits is an essential part of the job, a new and evolving role of the oncology nurse is to identify potentially at risk population, counsel them and minimize their risk of developing cancer. [Michele Gaguski, 2006]

Nurses are no longer relegated to supportive care but they are actively involved in every stage of gene therapy. Starting from the assessment phase where they evaluate and recommend patients for their suitability for clinical trials in gene therapy to the actual administration and follow up. Though gene therapy is very promising, since it is relatively new and mostly clinical trials are underway, it is a stressful experience both for the patient as well as the family members. Often, such interventions may prove to be ineffective and disease progression would continue. Under these circumstances, the oncology nurse has the responsibility of providing the psychosocial support for the family members and for referring them for additional counseling from a qualified therapist if necessary.

Though relatively free of side effects, gene therapy, in some cases, is reported to cause normal to severe reactions to the virus vector. Typical symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, myalgia and abnormalities in liver function. Nurses, along with physicians, are responsible for effective management of these side effects. The oncology nurse, in effect, develops the symptoms management guidelines and educates the patients pertaining to the potential side effects of the treatment and its management. Adhering to safety standards during the treatment period is also the task of the nurse. Further, nurses have the responsibility of documenting all the reactions of the patients to the therapy, as it constitutes invaluable data, which is useful for future trials. [Paula Trahan, 450]

Genetic Nurse and Genetic research

Asides these important aspects of care giving for a cancer patient, an oncology nurse is now also involved in the proactive approach of screening for potential cancer patients. Since the successful mapping of the human genome and the identification of genetic components that cause the onset of cancer, oncology nurses have taken on a new and important role in preventive diagnostics. They gather family history, construct pedigree and interpret them based on the genetic predisposition to cancer. The oncology nurse also offers counseling service to people thus identified to be at risk. Thus there is an emergence of the oncology nurse as a genetic service provider. Both the international Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) and the ANA (American Nurses Association) have already formulated credentialing standards for genetic nurses keeping in view the quality concerns in this new and evolving role of the genetic nurse. [Karen, 2003]