ONS Connect - September 2008 - (Page 5)

EDiTOr’SNOTE Oncology Nurses Are Key to Ensuring That Patients’ Decision Making Is Truly Informed [By Debra M. Wujcik, RN, PhD, AOCN®, Editor] Debra M. Wujcik, RN, PhD, AOCN ®, Editor In all cancer care, nurses provide education, validate patient understanding, and assist patients in voicing their needs and concerns. ecently, an acquaintance was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and chose lumpectomy followed by radiation as her treatment. However, after reviewing the diagnostic information, her medical oncologist recommended chemotherapy before radiation. For two weeks, we talked several times about what the test results meant, what the risks and benefits were, and how she would feel later if she chose no chemotherapy at this time. It took time and repetition for her to feel confident in her understanding of the information and the decision she ultimately made. I wondered how patients make these decisions when the only discussion is held in the physician office with limited time for processing the information. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ([CDC], 2006), one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime and 3% will die from the disease. Unlike other common cancers, no current consensus exists on prevention of prostate cancer, and the effectiveness of screening remains controversial. The CDC and the American Cancer Society recommend informed decision making as the strategy for early detection of prostate cancer. “Informed decision making occurs when an individual understands the nature and risks of prostate cancer; the risks, benefits, and alternatives to screening; participates in decision making at a level he desires; and makes a decision consistent with his preferences and values, or defers the decision to a later time” (CDC, 2007). R Most experts agree on the risks, signs, and symptoms of prostate cancer. Disagreement occurs over the reliability of these tests in identifying early prostate cancers and whether early detection changes the risk of dying from prostate cancer. Many times the informed decision process occurs outside of an oncology setting. Primary care providers may or may not recommend screening according to their own understanding of the issues. When prostate cancer awareness is part of the general health screening or a specific cancer screening initiative, the message of informed decision making may be lost. In addition, the issues of prostate cancer screening must be differentiated from screening for colorectal and lung cancer. In all cancer care, nurses provide education, validate patient understanding, and assist patients in voicing their needs and concerns. It requires ongoing effort for nurses to remain aware of the current medical controversies and to talk them through with patients. As you read the information on prostate cancer provided in this issue, keep in mind that your patients, family, and friends rely on you to help them understand the information needed for informed decision making. ✱ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2006). Prostate cancer screening: A decision guide. Retrieved August 21, 2008, from http://www.cdc .gov/cancer/prostate/publications/decisionguide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2007). Informed decision making: How to make a personal health care choice. Retrieved August 21, 2008, from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/Prostate/ decisionguidespotlight.htm September 2008 ONS CONNECT 5 http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/publications/decisionguide http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/publications/decisionguide http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/Prostate/decisionguidespotlight.htm http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/Prostate/decisionguidespotlight.htm

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

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.