ONS Connect - October 2008 - (Page 7)

EDiTOR’SNOTE ONS Resources Provide Trusted Information Right When You Need It [By Debra M. Wujcik, RN, PhD, AOCN®, Editor] D Debra M. Wujcik, RN, PhD, AOCN ®, Editor aily I am bombarded with oncology news reports, e-mails, journals, and news magazines. Even if I spent all day reading, I could not keep up with or digest all of the developments related to cancer. So I must pick and choose what I take in to remain current in my practice. Although I do not limit my reading to ONS publications, I turn to ONS’s publications and Web site first for information. I trust these resources because they are written, reviewed, and edited by ONS members. The content is selected by practicing oncology nurses and not dictated by marketing and promotional agendas. This month I learned at least five new things in ONS Connect. Although I am a genetics novice, I am confident that I have multiple resources from ONS at my fingertips that provide the level of information needed at the time I need it. • Genomics, or the study of genetic material within an organism, includes identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms that may indicate risk of disease or higher risk of toxicity as well as consideration of the entire genome to understand the treatment outcome and prognosis (see Up Front, p. 10). • The Web site www.genetests.org has a glossary with illustrations and case studies that are informative and easy to understand for genetics novices such as myself (see Working for You, p. 35). • A number of targeted agents are approved or are in clinical trials for patients with lung cancer as genomics leads to better understanding of mechanisms of drug resistance (see Five-Minute In-Service, p. 20). • Gum disease may be linked to cancer risk (see Just In, p. 8). • Two years after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil® for cervical cancer prevention, much work stills needs to be done to educate the community regarding the risks and benefits of HPV vaccines (see Straight Talk, p. 27). In addition to these new items, I was reminded of other information relevant to the topic of cancer genetics. Like Rita Steinbauer, RN, BSN, OCN®, who wrote in You Tell Us (p. 16), we are all likely to be asked about genetic testing by patients, family, and friends. The ONS online genetics course is readily available, a number of online resources are listed at the ONS Web Site Genetics Clinical and Patient Resource areas, and ONS has a strong Cancer Genetics Special Interest Group that provides expertise for the membership. Although I am a genetics novice, I am confident that I have multiple resources from ONS at my fingertips that provide the level of information needed at the time I need it. I hope that you too continue to find the information you need to ensure your knowledge and practice are current and relevant. ✱ OctOber 2008 ONS CONNECT 7 http://www.genetests.org

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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