ONS Connect - September 2008 - (Page 12)

Ly says that proton therapy is a desirable treatment option that has few side effects. prostatectomy, the tool predicts the probability of cancer-free survival. The postoperative nomogram looks at the Gleason score, prostate capsule invasion, surgical margins, seminal vesicle involvement, and lymph node involvement to predict the progression-free probability over time. Schoen cautions that “the Kattan nomogram is only a tool, and it is essential for patients to work closely with physicians and other health professionals in deciding on treatment.” Patients and healthcare providers outside of MSKCC can access the Kattan nomogram at www.nomograms.org. Schoen and her colleagues in the Urology Cancer Survivorship Program try to meet the needs of a growing volume of patients with prostate cancer by providing direct patient care to men who have completed treatment for their cancer and are disease free. Schoen’s caseload includes patients who are at least 6–12 months postprostatectomy, and her colleague, Robin Rawlins-Duell, MSN, NP-C, provides care to patients who have had radiation therapy. The nurses’ survivorship visits include a review of patients’ medical history, a physical assessment, management of treatment side effects, and surveillance for cancer recurrence, with a strong emphasis on the promotion of healthy behaviors such as diet, exercise, and smoking cessation. Schoen says that her patients often suffer from anxiety about their PSA scores, so she likes to review their postoperative Kattan nomogram during their visit in the survivorship program to help them understand their risk for cancer recurrence. According to Schoen, the patients usually feel reassured that their prognosis is not as bleak as they thought. She also says that the nomogram can help to start mentally preparing patients for additional treatment if the chance of recurrence is high. Patients with prostate cancer may be overwhelmed with the various treatment options available to them. With assistance from healthcare providers, including oncology nurses, they can make the best choices to treat their disease. ✱ American Cancer Society. (2008). What are the key statistics about prostate cancer? Retrieved June 4, 2008, from http://www.cancer.org/ docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_ the_key_statistics_for_prostate_cancer_36 .asp?sitearea= Strief, D. (2007). An overview of prostate cancer: Diagnosis and treatment. Urology Nursing, 27(6), 475–479. Program Encourages Men to Take Control of Prostate Health Stay on Track for Better Prostate Health, a new program sponsored by the Prostate Cancer Education Council and sanofi-aventis, encourages men to take control of their own prostate health. Spokesperson Kyle Petty, a third-generation NASCAR driver, challenges men to take a pledge to undergo routine prostate cancer screening and to evaluate all treatment options if diagnosed with the disease. Patients can take the pledge or request a free prostate health educational brochure at www.pcaw.com/stayontrack.asp. 12 ONS CONNECT Contributing Editor Hanan Saca-Hazboun, RN, MSN, is a lecturer in the Faculty of Nursing and Health Science at Bethlehem University in West Bank, Palestinian Authority. September 2008 http://www.nomograms.org http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_the_key_statistics_for_prostate_cancer_36.asp?sitearea= http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_the_key_statistics_for_prostate_cancer_36.asp?sitearea= http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_the_key_statistics_for_prostate_cancer_36.asp?sitearea= http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_the_key_statistics_for_prostate_cancer_36.asp?sitearea= http://www.pcaw.com/stayontrack.asp

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ONS Connect - September 2008

ONS Connect - September 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In Advances in Prostate Cancer Treatment A Year in the Life - Month Nine Web Connect Capitol Connection Manage Infusion Reactions From Cetuximab Notice Nursing Now Caregiver Care Oropharyngeal Cancer in Men Associated with HPV Working for You Calendar of Events Staying on Top

ONS Connect - September 2008

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