There are around 18.1 million cancer survivors in the U.S., as of January 2022, according to the National Cancer Institute. And this number is expected to increase to 22.5 million by 2032.
The journey through cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery is long and arduous, and multiple healthcare professionals are involved. At the heart of this complex process is the oncology nurse.
Let’s learn about the role of the oncology nurse in cancer treatment. Here are some critical functions of oncology nurses:
1. Patient care and treatment administration
An oncology nurse is a central component for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Their role involves a thorough assessment, including physical condition and medical history, as well as reviewing the treatment plan with the care team. Cancer treatment plans vary but often include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation. An oncology nurse is closely involved in the administration of all these treatments.
To administer chemotherapy, oncology nurses must calculate the correct dosages. Nurses closely observe patients for adverse reactions, conducting assessments before, during, and after every chemotherapy session. Monitoring vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate is also one of their central tasks.
If a patient exhibits signs of an adverse reaction, such as difficulty breathing, the nurse acts promptly. The oncology nurse might need to stop the infusion, administer emergency medications, or provide supportive care.
In recent years, advancements in cancer treatment have made immunotherapy and targeted therapy possible. Immunotherapy helps boost the body’s immune system to fight cancer, while targeted therapy attacks specific molecules involved in cancer growth. Oncology nurses’ central role is to monitor patients’ responses and manage any immune-related adverse event such as colitis.
Throughout the course of radiation therapy, the oncology nurse inspects the patient’s skin for signs of radiation dermatitis (such as redness, peeling, blistering, or ulceration). If skin reactions do occur, an oncology nurse can implement appropriate interventions, which may include applying topical treatments, dressing wounds, or providing pain relief.
2. Monitoring and managing side effects
Cancer treatments often result in side effects that can significantly impact patients’ quality of life. For a patient undergoing chemotherapy, for example, side effects can range from nausea or fatigue to severe complications like infections and organ toxicity.
Oncology nurses are on the front lines of managing any side effects that patients experience. Nurses implement evidence-based interventions to manage these symptoms. Depending on the situation, the patient might benefit from medication administration, lifestyle modifications, or both.
Many patients experience severe nausea and vomiting when undergoing chemotherapy. An oncology nurse can give the patient an antiemetic before or during chemotherapy sessions, to block the pathways that trigger nausea and vomiting. Other patients may report severe fatigue that interferes with daily activities. For those patients, oncology nurses might recommend light physical activities and small, frequent meals.
Patients undergoing cancer treatment are at an increased risk of infections due to immunosuppression. The oncology nurse educates patients about infection prevention strategies, monitors for signs of infection, and coordinates prompt treatment if an infection occurs. This vigilance is critical in preventing severe complications that can arise from infections.
Cancer and its treatment can affect a patient’s appetite and ability to eat. An oncology nurse works with a dietitian to provide nutritional support including meal planning or supplements. Nurses also manage side effects that affect eating, such as mouth sores or gastrointestinal issues.
3. Patient education and advocacy
Patients and families often face a steep learning curve when it comes to understanding the complexities (and sometimes, unexpected curveballs) of cancer treatment. For this reason, education is a cornerstone of the oncology nurse’s role.
To avoid confusion by using medical jargon, an oncology nurse can make a point of using easy-to-understand terms. By providing extensive education, the oncology nurse empowers patients to take an active role in their treatment. This can lead to better adherence to treatment plans and a greater sense of control over their health.
4. Emotional and psychological support
“You’re not alone in this.” These simple words from an oncology nurse are crucial, because it helps patients to navigate the psychological challenges of cancer treatment.
Strong, trusting relationships with patients and families are a cornerstone of the oncology nursing role. Nurses are usually the ones who help patients cope with the emotional aspects of cancer, such as anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence. Nurses also offer guidance to family members on how to best support their loved ones.
Some patients may need additional help. If so, an oncology nurse can connect them with local support groups or counseling services. This can help patients feel less isolated throughout their treatment.
5. Coordination of care
A cancer patient sees multiple healthcare specialists, including oncologists, surgeons, radiation therapists, dietitians, and social workers. A typical treatment plan includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and follow-up care. The oncology nurse coordinates this complex web of care.
The oncology nurse is involved every step of the way — first, by providing the oncologist with insights on the patient’s overall health. If surgery is indicated, an oncology nurse ensures all necessary presurgical tests are completed. Additionally, the oncology nurse collaborates with the chemotherapy team to administer the chemotherapy, verify correct dosages, and monitor the patient for side effects.
Not surprisingly, patients often feel overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of their treatment plans and everyone involved. Patients need to schedule a long list of appointments and obtain referrals to various specialists.
The oncology nurse helps patients to navigate all of it. For example, an oncology nurse can help a patient with scheduling radiation therapy sessions. Nurses can refer the patient to a dietitian for nutritional support and a social worker for emotional support, as needed.
An oncology nurse also ensures continuity of care through all the different stages of treatment. As patients move from the initial diagnosis through treatment, the nurse helps the patient to transition smoothly between the different phases of care.
Post-treatment, the oncology nurse coordinates with the patient’s primary care physician for ongoing health monitoring. This ensures the patient is getting the appropriate follow-up and screenings to monitor for recurrence.
Oncology nurses impact patient outcomes
From the initial diagnosis to survivorship, an oncology nurse can have a major impact on patient outcomes. By integrating the latest evidence-based practices into their care routines, oncology nurses can increase their positive impact even more.
Oncology nurses can suggest non-pharmacological interventions to help patients manage symptoms and side effects. For instance, an oncology nurse might consider recommending acupuncture and music therapy to patients, as both of these interventions were effective in managing cancer-related pain, according to a recent study. And another study found that weighted blankets reduced anxiety in cancer patients receiving infusion treatments in outpatient settings.
An oncology nurse already has a profound impact on the overall quality of cancer care. As advances in personalized medicine and technology continue to transform cancer care, the oncology nurse role will become even more crucial. For patients, oncology nursing’s strong focus on holistic, patient-centered approaches will lead to improved survival rates and enhanced quality of life.
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