Disease & Tumor Database
Optimizing Bispecific Antibody Therapy in Multiple Myeloma: A Resource Guide for Nurse and Patient Navigators
The therapeutic landscape of multiple myeloma (MM) has undergone a remarkable evolution over the past 2 decades. The development and application of novel agents and new generations of drugs, such as proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, and monoclonal antibody–based therapies, have resulted in improved prognosis and extended survival of patients with MM. Although these therapeutic advances are opportune and transformative, they add complexity to the MM clinical algorithms.
This resource guide is a review of bispecific antibodies, one of the new therapies currently being studied in clinical trials for patients with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM), and best practices for oncology nurses and nurse and patient navigators, social workers, care coordinators, and advanced practice providers in supporting patients with RRMM who may be eligible for bispecific antibody–based treatment.
Navigating Multiple Myeloma: The Critical Importance of the First 90 Days
A comprehensive update on multiple myeloma to include diagnostic tests, treatments, and related navigation strategies. Supported by Janssen Pharmaceuticals/Legend Biotech.
Navigating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: The Critical Importance of the First 90 Days
Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cannot expect to follow a textbook example of “how CLL is treated,” as each case is different based on patient age, comorbidities, and specifics related to mutations/severity. Veteran navigators offer expert commentary on CLL disease state, treatment considerations, psychosocial impact, and more.
CAR T-Cell Therapy: Implications for Navigation Practice
This 16-page resource is designed for oncology nurse and patient navigators who are caring for patients with multiple myeloma undergoing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy.
Breaking News: Sellas Announces Promising Data on NeuVax in Combination with Herceptin in HER2 1+/2+ Breast Cancer
NeuVax + Herceptin may provide a clinically meaningful benefit to breast cancer patients with low to intermediate HER2-expression.
Members Memo: Thoracic Nurse Navigation Certification Task Force
A special thank you to the thoracic nurse navigators who came forward to create the thoracic certification examination. It is a sign of professional commitment and growth to volunteer for a task that will help one review their profession as well as learn something new such as test question development.
Insights into Navigation: Genetics and Breast Cancer Surgery
If your newly diagnosed patient meets the criteria for warranting a genetics consultation and testing, do the necessary paperwork to have it happen BEFORE surgery!
Insights into Navigation: Thoracic Cancer Certification
Do you specialize in thoracic cancer? Then we had you in mind when we decided to begin the development of subspecialty certifications!
Navigators Should Make Women Aware of Breast Density’s Effect on Cancer Risk
Despite research being conducted and confirmed on the significance of breast density, most women don’t know that having dense breasts increases their risk for breast cancer and reduces a mammogram’s ability to detect cancer, according to a University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine study.
Seasoned Navigator: A Case Study on Care Transitions in Genomic Testing and Timely Treatment Decision-Making
Along with the diagnosis of breast cancer comes many decisions regarding treatment options. Oncotype DX, a genomic/gene expression assay, provides quantitative assessment of chemotherapy benefit and risk of distant recurrence in early-stage estrogen receptor–positive (ER+), HER2/neu-negative breast cancer to assist in developing individualized treatment plans.
Novice Navigator: A Case Study on Community Outreach for Head and Neck Cancers
The authors present a case demonstrating the unique and complex challenges facing patients with head and neck cancers, public health interventions to reduce risk, and available screening to promote early detection.
Educating and Supporting Breast Cancer Patients in Making Decisions about Treatment
There are various points along the journey that we, as nurse navigators, need to be at the side of our patients when critical treatment decisions are being made. This is something that you do every day, and are more than familiar with regarding your role in education and support as it relates to this type of decision making.
Supporting and Empowering Breast Cancer Patients to Have No Treatment Regrets Years Later
Commonly when a breast cancer nurse navigator is educating and supporting a patient, the time period is focused on the point of diagnosis through their acute treatment. How do we really know if the patients, now as survivors, believe the right decisions were made regarding treatment options? How do we know they felt the decisions were made with their active input? Were they confident in their choices?
Navigating the Underserved and Minority Breast Cancer Patients— Challenges and Solutions
When we are discussing minorities, we are usually referring to African American, Hispanic/Latino, and the American Indian/Alaska Natives in our society. In addition, underserved women are those who have a decreased income and socioeconomic status, lower education levels, commonly lack health insurance, and have limited access to healthcare in general. These patient populations are particularly challenging when facing the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Where Is the Patient’s Voice?
It is interesting to read or see opposing views on an issue in medical care. Healthcare professionals do a wonderful job on quoting facts and research findings. What is normally missing is the voice of the patient.
Reading and Reflecting
Do you ever read the latest research studies and ponder that if you took a conclusion from one study and combined it with a conclusion from another, there might be an avenue for better navigation? This might be a hazard of reading too many findings at one setting!
Embarking on Hormonal Therapy—Educating the Patient and Her Spouse/Partner
Seventy percent of patients completing her acute treatment (surgery, chemo, and radiation) will be candidates for taking hormonal therapy. All too often, patients are not well informed, however, about the purpose of this pill to be taken once a day for 5 years or more, nor do they realize its level of importance.
The Nurse Navigator’s Role in Preventing Medical Legal Issues Associated with Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Part 1
In case you are not aware, the most common medical malpractice issue medical providers deal with today relates to breast cancer care—specifically, misdiagnosis, delay in diagnosis, and/or failure to follow standard of care. So it is probably not a surprise that the nation has a shortage of breast imaging radiologists and soon will be facing a shortage of breast oncologic specialists as well.
The Nurse Navigator’s Role in Preventing Medical Legal Issues Associated with Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Part 2
This article continues our discussion of issues that can result in a medical malpractice case regarding breast cancer. Though not an exhaustive list, it summarizes (when combined with part 1) the most common reasons why a breast cancer patient or family member on behalf of the patient would pursue legal action against a provider.
Educating Your Patient about Surgical Treatment Options for Breast Cancer
Although 80% of women today are good candidates for lumpectomy (breast-conserving) surgery, we continue to see nationally a smaller number of women actually having this procedure and instead undergoing mastectomy procedures.
Addressing Psychological Support Needs in Breast Cancer Patients
Oncology nurses for decades have assessed the psychological needs of their breast cancer patients. So it is not surprising that this assessment would become an important function for an oncology nurse navigator as well.
Navigating Patients Battling Metastatic Disease
When it comes to navigation, there is a tendency for us to focus on patients who will be surviving their cancer diagnosis and treatment. More and more patients with metastatic cancer, however, are surviving longer than ever before.
Ensuring Your Breast Cancer Patient Is Referred for Reconstruction Consultation
Though most women diagnosed with breast cancer are good candidates for breast conservation therapy, there remains a portion of women diagnosed who need to undergo mastectomy.
The Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator’s Role: Discussing Sexuality and Intimacy with Your Patients
If all breast centers had Dr Ruth as a faculty member, there would be no need to write this article. But they do not. It is important to bring up this sensitive topic early in your interactions with your breast cancer patients. Usually the first thing a woman worries about, however, is her mortality.
Thoracic Oncology Navigation: Introduction
Approximately, 5 years ago I applied for a job as a Lung Cancer Nurse Coordinator. My experience in oncology included working as a radiation oncology nurse and an infusion nurse. To be honest, I wasn't quite sure what the new job entailed, but I was anxious to move on to something new.
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