ONS Connect - October 2008 - (Page 15)

How Is Genomics Impacting Cancer Care? [One nurse’s PersPective] can identify patients who are “outliers” (e.g., those experiencing severe adverse reactions) as possible candidates for genetic testing. Recall a patient receiving treatment with irinotecan who experiences severe diarrhea. This patient may have a variant of the UGT1A1 enzyme and not be able to clear the irinotecan as quickly as other patients. The nurse would be at the forefront of referring this patient for a genetic workup. Another crucial role for nurses is educating patients and family members about genomics in cancer care. Finally, an important nursing role is ensuring the confidentiality of patients’ genetic information. Genomics benefits the delivery of cancer care Catherine Handy, PhD, RN, AOCN® by identifying patients earlier in the course of care as candidates for genetic testing in an ef® Catherine Handy, PhD, RN, AOCN , is an oncology clinical fort to bring forth the best outcome and a plan tailored to each nurse specialist for St. Vincent’s Comprehensive Cancer Center in individual’s needs. But with these benefits come several challenges. First is the cost of expensive genetic testing. Critical New York, NY. questions remain in the realm of who will cover these costs. enomics will help us begin to open the lock to key ques- Equally challenging is how the information will be used. I was tions we have in oncology practice today, such as why excited to learn that the Genetic Information Nondiscriminatwo similar patients receiving the same treatment react very tion Act is now law. Although genetic discrimination has differently. Why does one have a complete response and the never been documented, this law will help ease patients’ and other have no response? Why does one have no adverse reac- families’ concerns. Educational opportunities for nurses wishing to learn tions and the other have to stop therapy because of severe reactions? We have learned a great deal about the molecular more about genomics are vast. Conferences, such as the behavior of cancer, which has allowed us to better tailor treat- ONS annual Congress and the Institutes of Learning, can ments to foster a more personalized approach to cancer care. be one place to learn. The Essential Nursing Competencies Gaining knowledge about a person’s genomics will further en- and Curricula Guidelines for Genetics and Genomics from the hance that ability because it will help us identify the patients National Human Genome Research Institute (www.genome .gov/17517146) and ONS’s Genetics Online Education Series who might do better with a specific therapy. Oncology nurses have multiple roles in bringing personal- (www.ons.org/ceCentral/prevention) also offer information ized medicine to the bedside or chairside. For example, nurses for nurses. ✱ G OctOber 2008 ONS CONNECT 15 http://www.genome.gov/17517146 http://www.genome.gov/17517146 http://www.ons.org/ceCentral/prevention

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

ONS Connect- October 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In Up Front You Tell Us Up Close &�Professional Web Connect Five-Minute In-Service Capitol Connection Caregiver Care Straight Talk New Treatments, New Hope Working for You Calendar of Events Staying on Top

ONS Connect - October 2008

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