S3 Ep45: Key Advances in Cancer Survivorship Toxicity Management
For this episode of The Vitals, Oncology Nursing News® met with Lidia Schapira, MD, FASCO, to discuss key advances in the treatment of toxicities that may present later in cancer survivorship care.    Schapira is a professor of medicine and director of the Cancer Survivorship Program at Stanford. Schapira specializes in breast cancer with a focus on the psychosocial aspects of cancer care and...
13m Jul 15, 2022
13m
S3 Ep44: Sri Kota Weighs in On the Evolving Breast Cancer Paradigm
For this episode of The Vitals, Oncology Nursing News® spoke with Sri Kota, MSN, BA, RN, OCN, a nurse clinician with the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, about important updates in the breast cancer treatment paradigm for nurses to consider.   The increasing availability of options for patients with metastatic disease is exciting, said Kota, with promising drugs such as fam-trastuzumab...
8m Jun 15, 2022
8m
S3 Ep43: Improving Onco-Fertility Conversations With Adolescents and Young Adult Patients With Cancer
In this episode of The Vitals, Donna Herrera Bell, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, highlights how nurses can eliminate barriers to fertility discussions among adolescent and young adult patients with cancer.   Bell spent 14 years working with children and adolescents with leukemia and lymphoma as well as helped develop a Pediatric Onco-Fertility consult service with MD Anderson. She recently presented at t...
21m Jun 01, 2022
21m
S3 Ep42: Loyda Braithwaite Discusses Evolving Treatment Options in HR+ Breast Cancer
Loyda E. Braithwaite, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC, AOCNP, an oncology nurse practitioner at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, provides an overview of the evolving treatment landscape in hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. Braithwaite highlights the emerging role of selective estrogen receptor degraders, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and updates on aromatase inhibitors wit...
21m May 13, 2022
21m
S3 Ep41: Bringing a New Approach to Symptom Management in Ovarian Cancer
For this episode of “The Vitals,” Oncology Nursing News® spoke with Heidi Donovan, PhD, RN, professor of nursing and medicine, and co-director of the National Center on Family Support, at the University of Pittsburgh. Donovan recently co-led a study evaluating the utility of an online symptom management tool for women with recurrent ovarian cancer.    The study, which was published in the Jou...
14m Apr 15, 2022
14m
S3 Ep40: Carbone Cancer Center Expert Shares Biggest Updates in Kidney Cancer Treatment
For this episode of “The Vitals,” Oncology Nursing News® spoke with Hamid Emamekhoo, MD, an assistant professor of the Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care with the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center.  Emamekhoo offers a snapshot of recent advances in kidney cancer treatments, an overview of caring for patients receiving immunotherapy and TKI combinations, and...
23m Mar 31, 2022
23m
S3 Ep39: Food for Thought: Nutrition Considerations for Patients With Cancer
In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Caitlin Benda, MBA, MS, RD, CSO, LDN, a clinical oncology nutritionist supervisor at American Oncology Network, about dietary strategies to support patients undergoing curative cancer therapies.    Throughout our conversation, Benda discussed how nurses can help change a patient’s approach to diet in order to combat complications brought about by...
21m Mar 15, 2022
21m
S3 Ep38: Behind Integrated Behavioral Health Services
In this episode of “The Vitals,” Oncology Nursing News® met with Matt Iwaniec, PsyD, a licensed clinical health psychologist with the stem cell transplant and CAR-T therapy program at Allegheny Health Network, to discuss fully integrated behavioral services as it relates to oncology. In our discussion, Iwaniec highlights the mechanisms behind psychosocial treatments like cognitive behavior the...
16m Mar 01, 2022
16m
S3 Ep37: Ask The Right Questions: Clinical Pearls of AE Management
In this episode of “The Vitals,” Oncology Nursing News® met with Mark Honor, PA-C, Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center, to discuss managing adverse events (AEs) related to cancer therapies. In our conversation, we discuss the different mechanisms of action of today’s most popular therapeutic options, and best principles for responding to adverse events in patients receivin...
18m Feb 15, 2022
18m
S2 Ep36: When an Oncology Nurse Becomes a Cancer Mom: How One Nurse Navigated Her Child’s Leukemia Diagnosis
In this episode of “The Vitals,” Dr. Janice Post-White discusses how she balanced working as an oncology nurse through her child’s cancer diagnosis, and the lessons she learned from the experience.
22m Feb 01, 2022
22m
S2 Ep35: The Value of Nurse Mentorship in Oncology
In this episode of “The Vitals,” 2 veteran oncology nurses discuss the value of mentorship—particularly for novice nurses.
23m Jan 14, 2022
23m
S2 Ep34: Access-Focused Care: The 4-1-1 on Oncology Phone Triage Programs
For this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Nikki Urban, a registered nurse and practice manager at Allegheny Health Network, about the implementation of a successful phone triage program at the oncology institution. Urban discusses why the program came about, some of its successes, and how a phone triage program can bring value to an oncology center. “The phone triage process is a patien...
11m Dec 22, 2021
11m
S2 Ep33: Balancing the Benefit and Toxicity of Cisplatin in Young Children with Cancer
On this episode of “The Vitals,” an expert in genetics discusses ongoing research to address cisplatin-induced hearing loss in pediatric patients with cancer.
16m Dec 21, 2021
16m
S2 Ep32: Merry and Bright: Bringing a Festive Air into the Oncology Space for the Holidays
In this episode of “The Vitals,” 2 health care professionals discuss how to safely celebrate the holidays in oncology units.
14m Dec 01, 2021
14m
S2 Ep31: Debunking 3 Common Myths Patients with Cancer Have About Palliative Care
For this episode of “The Vitals,” Oncology Nursing News spoke with Joe Contreras, MD, about 3 common myths patients have about palliative care. Dr. Contreras, chair of the Institute of Pain and Palliative Medicine, Hackensack Meridian Health, debunks these misconceptions by explaining how palliative care is a specialty, rather than a setting, of medicine, and that patients who receive this care...
19m Nov 15, 2021
19m
S2 Ep30: Addressing Implicit Bias in Oncology Nursing
For this episode of “The Vitals,” Oncology Nursing News spoke with Gretchen McNally, APRN-CNP, and Kathy Burns, Benign Hematology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, on the importance of being mindful about one’s implicit bias in the treatment of patients with cancer who have substance use disorders.
18m Oct 29, 2021
18m
S2 Ep29: Targeting KRAS Mutations in Gastrointestinal Oncology
For this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Kristin Barber, FNP-BC, AOCNP, Huntsman Cancer Institute, about understanding the MAP kinase signaling pathway and some of the ongoing trials targeting these mutations in gastrointestinal oncology.  Barber discussed some of the ongoing phase 1 trials she is participating in and how she hopes the results of these trials could change patient outcom...
16m Oct 15, 2021
16m
S2 Ep28: Expert Discusses Biggest Updates in NSCLC Treatment
For this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Martin Dietrich, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Central Florida, a fellow of the American College of Physicians, and a medical oncologist at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute. Dietrich highlighted some recent advances and ongoing research in stage III non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and d...
15m Oct 01, 2021
15m
S2 Ep27: COVID-19 Pandemic Emphasizes Disparities in Cancer Care
For this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Chastity Washington, MPH, CHES, Center for Cancer Health Equity, Ohio State University, about how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated preexisting disparities in cancer care. Chastity spoke to our team about the direct and indirect impacts of COVID 19 on disadvantaged communities, vaccine hesitancy amongst those communities, and more.   
14m Sep 17, 2021
14m
S2 Ep26: Navigating Medical Cannabis
For this episode of “The Vitals,” Oncology Nursing News spoke with Eloise Theisen, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, current president of the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA). She spoke to us about some the benefits and applications of medical cannabis for patients with cancer, some of the challenges and interesting updates in research, and how nurses can talk to their patients about its use, as w...
15m Sep 03, 2021
15m
S2 Ep25: Pet Therapy Positively Impacts Patients and Caregivers of Cancer
For this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Cynthia Ingram, BS, RN, HN-BC, COHN-S, animal therapy coordinator, CTCA Chicago. She talked about how she pursued her dream to bring animal therapy to patients in her care center and how, together, her and her furry companion, Tori, touched the lives of many patients and caregivers and brought a little bit of joy to their day.
14m Aug 16, 2021
14m
S2 Ep24: Addressing Medication Non-Compliance and Financial Toxicity
10m Jul 30, 2021
10m
S2 Ep23: There’s No Place Like Home: The Launch of In-Home Infusion Programs
In this episode, we spoke to Chevon Rariy, MD, medical director of Endocrinology at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) Chicago, and the Telehealth Program director for the CTCA, about the impact of COVID-19 on telehealth programs, the creation of the in-home infusion program, and what these changes will look like for the nurses caring for these patients. 
11m Jul 15, 2021
11m
S2 Ep22: Oncology Nurse Talks Pride Month, LGBTQ Disparities
After hearing about the difficulties a transgender man faced in receiving a cancer diagnosis, Kelly S. Haviland, PhD, FNP-BC, found her calling. In this episode, Haviland, nurse research scientist and family nurse practitioner at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses how LGBTQ treatment has changed over the years, though there is still much more work to be done.    Read more: http...
11m Jun 15, 2021
11m
S2 Ep21: Get In-Tune With Patients: Music Can Help Alleviate Stress
Music can help alleviate stress and bring something familiar into an unfamiliar medical procedure.    In this episode, we spoke with Laura Schandert, AGPCNP-BC, nurse practitioner at Duke University School of Nursing, about her recent experiment in using music to calm the nerves of patients with blood cancers undergoing bone marrow procedures.
10m Jun 02, 2021
10m
S2 Ep20: Overcome Screening Barriers in CRC
  While some people face barriers to colorectal cancer screening, at-home fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) can help. For this episode, we heard from Diann Boyd, BSN, RN, OCN, a nurse navigator at the Penn Medicine Abramson Cancer Center. Boyd specializes in GI oncology and has a passion for ensuring that everyone completes the screening.    Boyd recently presented at the ONS Annual Congress ...
12m May 14, 2021
12m
S2 Ep19: Genetic Testing May Increase Fear of Recurrence
It is well known that fear of recurrence is a major issue in the cancer community, but can genetic test results outlining risk impact those feelings?    For this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Maurade Gormley, CPNP, RN, assistant professor and post-doctoral fellow at the NYU Rory Myers College of Nursing. Her recent research analyzed how Oncotype DX genomic test results may increase f...
7m Apr 30, 2021
7m
S2 Ep18: A Chat on Communication Barriers in Childhood Cancer
Provider communication is extremely important, especially when dealing with a pediatric cancer diagnosis. In this episode of “The Vitals,” Bryan A. Sisk, MD, MSCI, assistant professor of pediatric hematology and oncology at the Washington University School of Medicine discusses his recent research on communication barriers between healthcare providers and children with cancer and their families...
10m Apr 16, 2021
10m
S2 Ep17: Focus on ‘A Different Kind of Hope’ in Cancer
Clinicians, patients, and caregivers alike all reported that they want cancer to be a communal experience – meaning that they feel that they are supported in the journey. However, certain factors can lead to feelings of isolation.    In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Jody Koenig Kellas, PhD, department chair and professor, interpersonal, family, and health communication at the Un...
15m Mar 31, 2021
15m
S2 Ep16: Cultivate Resiliency and Bypass Burnout
  When it comes to fighting clinician burnout and building resiliency, mindfulness matters. Loren Winters, MSN, ANP-BC, OCN, an oncology nurse practitioner at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center and yoga instructor, discusses how oncology nurses can find the mindfulness practice that works for them, and offers simple tips to be more present every day.    Read more about our co...
17m Mar 15, 2021
17m
S2 Ep15: Identify, Normalize Fear of Cancer Recurrence
Younger age was associated with an increased instance of fear of cancer recurrence, while a pessimistic outlook was actually associated with a decrease, according to recent research led by Jacqueline Galica, PhD, RN, an assistant professor of nursing at Queen’s University.    In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Galica on her findings, and what role oncology nurses can play in helpi...
10m Mar 01, 2021
10m
S2 Ep14: Clinician Distress: Know Your Risks
Health care providers are facing an increasing amount of stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are certain factors that may make some people at a higher risk for distress than others. In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke to Fuschia Sirois, PhD, BSc, SFHEA, reader in social and health psychology at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom.    Sirois analyzed clinician st...
14m Feb 16, 2021
14m
S2 Ep13: Nonmedical Opioid Use: Identify the Risks
A recent study found that 19% of patients with cancer engaged in nonmedical opioid use. In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with study author Sriram Yennu, MD, MS, FAAHPM, study author and professor in the department of palliative care and rehabilitation medicine at MD Anderson. Yennu outlined the risk factors that he and his team found for opioid misuse, as well as what nurses can do to ...
13m Feb 01, 2021
13m
S2 Ep1: COVID-19 Vaccine ‘Not a Quick Fix’ for Social Distancing Measures
As more health care providers and the general public get vaccinated against COVID-19, some people may be tempted to ease up on social distancing and mask-wearing efforts. However, people should continue to take appropriate precautions, especially if they have cancer or care for a loved one with cancer, explained Emily Beard, RN, OCN, CBCN, the program coordinator of breast cancer at Northside C...
9m Jan 15, 2021
9m
S2 Ep12: COVID-19 Vaccine ‘Not a Quick Fix’ for Social Distancing Measures
As more health care providers and the general public get vaccinated against COVID-19, some people may be tempted to ease up on social distancing and mask-wearing efforts. However, people should continue to take appropriate precautions, especially if they have cancer or care for a loved one with cancer, explained Emily Beard, RN, OCN, CBCN, the program coordinator of breast cancer at Northside C...
9m Jan 15, 2021
9m
S1 Ep11: Nurse Practitioners Speak Out Against ‘Outdated’ Practice Models
Oncology nurse practitioners are both competent and compassionate, and undergo rigorous academic and clinical training to earn the NP next to their name. However, many states still require them to work under the supervision of a physician. For this episode, we spoke with Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, a...
11m Dec 15, 2020
11m
S1 Ep10: The Year of the Nurses’ Voice
The World Health Organization deemed 2020 the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. Theresa Brown, RN, deemed it the year of the nurse’s voice.    In this episode, we spoke with Brown, a nurse and best-selling author, about her recent online petition to have a nurse on president-elect Joe Biden’s COVID-19 task force. She said that now, more than ever, it is vital for nurses to have their voices ...
15m Nov 30, 2020
15m
S1 Ep9: How to Create a Welcoming Environment for LGBTQ Patients
Patients who are LGBTQ and have cancer may be more prone to cancer and other health disparities. However, oncology nurses and their colleagues can make a major impact on the care that they receive.  For this episode, we'll hear from Matthew B. Schabath, an associate member of the Moffitt Cancer Center, about steps clinicians can take to create a more welcoming cancer care environment.
14m Nov 13, 2020
14m
S1 Ep8: Capturing the Voice of the Child in Cancer Care
A recent study led by Bethany J. Petronio-Coia, PhD, RN, a nurse educator at the Rhode Island College School of Nursing, discovered the characteristics of “approachable” nurses caring for school-aged children who were hospitalized for cancer. From compassionate listening to syringe water fights, they shared some creative ways that nurses have managed to make their care a bit less scary.    Re...
19m Oct 30, 2020
19m
S1 Ep7: Chemo Cheat Sheets Help Nurses During Drug Delivery
The world of oncology is continuously changing, often making it difficult for oncology nurses – especially those who are just starting their career in the cancer setting – to keep up. So, Kellie Zeichner, RN, BSN, OCN, an oncology nurse at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ, worked with an interdisciplinary team to create reference sheets containing key information about oncology drugs.    “W...
12m Oct 15, 2020
12m
S1 Ep6: Sexual Health in Gynecologic Cancer: Patients Want to Talk
Treatment for gynecologic cancer can negatively impact sexual health, yet many clinicians still feel uncomfortable about discussing these adverse events with their patients.    For this episode of “The Vitals,” we will hear from Christina Wilson, PhD, a doctoral student at the University of Utah. Wilson recently presented on sexual adverse events of gynecologic cancer at the 2020 ONS Bridge v...
9m Sep 30, 2020
9m
S1 Ep5: Cardiac Complications in Blood Cancers
It is crucial that oncology nurses monitor for cardiac complications in their patients with hematologic malignancies. And when one is discovered, they must act.    In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Brenda Shelton, DNP, RN, APRN-CNS, CCRN, AOCN, a clinical nurse specialist at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. She discusses heart issues that can arise ...
12m Sep 15, 2020
12m
S1 Ep4: On Clinicals and Coronavirus: COVID-19 Pandemic Shakes Up Nursing Education
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected nursing school at both the graduate and undergraduate level. While online classes may be convenient, a lack of in-person and hands-on training is a clear downside for those learning the trade.    In this episode of “The Vitals,” Jann Budiman, BSN, RN, BMTCN, discusses her experiences with nursing education during the pandemic. Budi...
11m Aug 27, 2020
11m
S1 Ep3: Immunotherapy in the Age of COVID-19
Immunotherapy has become a mainstay in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, but more recently, it has moved into the small cell lung cancer space, too. In this episode of “The Vitals,” Beth Sandy, NP, a nurse practitioner at the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center, discusses the immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that nurses need to be aware of when treating patients wi...
7m Aug 14, 2020
7m
S1 Ep2: The Cost of Nursing School: Is the Extra Degree Worth It?
Educational costs in the United States continue to rise, and that could be leaving many nurses wondering if furthering their education is worth it.  For this episode, we talk to Monica Mikheal, MSN, RN, a nurse at UCLA. Despite the debt, she continues to earn degrees. She'll talk about why this is important to her, as well as programs that can help nurses and other health care providers decrea...
10m Jul 31, 2020
10m
S1 Ep1: The Pandemic Personal Touch: Show Patients You Care
For this episode, we'll talk to Rebecca Bank, BSN, RN, OCN, CHPN, a palliative care and advanced planning nurse at Sansum Clinic Ridley Tree Cancer Center, about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affective palliative care for patients with cancer.  Cancer can already be an isolating time in someone's life, and with the added stress of social distancing, patients may feel even more alone. However, B...
14m Jun 30, 2020
14m