Cancer’s Impact on Mental Health

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Cancer is hard – physically and emotionally. The diagnosis alone can trigger fear, uncertainty, and stress, all of which can be exacerbated throughout prognosis discussions, treatment decisions, procedures and just managing the normal activities of daily living with this dark shadow lurking in the background.

Anxiety is also part of the mix, even when a patient moves out of treatment and into survivorship. Undergoing scans to monitor for possible recurrence. A health change even years after getting the “all clear.” Annual physicals with their primary care physician.  All these situations can trigger the same overwhelming emotions the patient felt throughout their initial battle with cancer.

For some, cancer feels like a life sentence that carries an enormous emotional penalty. Which is why supporting a patient’s mental health needs is an important component of a comprehensive care plan.

Mental Health Challenges

A cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment can bring forward several mental health issues, the most common being anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder. While patients who have struggled with these and other mental health disorders in the past are more susceptible, the cancer diagnosis and all that comes with it can trigger symptoms in any patient. It can also exacerbate disorders that had previously been controlled.

While most symptoms will fall on the mild end of the spectrum, they can evolve over time into something more severe and long-lasting. For example, though uncommon, some cancer patients find themselves with symptoms much like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), usually resulting from a traumatic experience during treatment such as an adverse or unexpected surgical outcome.

Many patients also struggle with feelings of guilt related to their illness. Guilt could stem from thoughts about not being able to manage chores or tasks as well as before. They may also experience worry that they are a “burden” to someone else. Guilt is not always rational, but if left unaddressed it can cascade into anxiety, depression, and even anger.

Finally, it’s important to recognize that cancer-driven mental health issues can impact the very relationships patients rely on for emotional support. Feelings of guilt, despondence, detachment and even shame can take control of a patient’s internal dialogue and create distance between them and their loved ones. Again, the emotions aren’t always rational. But when someone is sick, or treatment has taken a toll on their appearance and/or stamina, it is easy to fall into an emotional hole that can overwhelm personal relationships.

Early Attention is Key

It is vital that mental health issues be assessed and addressed as early as possible in a patient’s care plan. Symptoms are not always obvious. The patient who is upbeat and positive at the clinic may be falling apart as soon as they are alone. Or the patient who starts treatment determined to beat their cancer can, over time, become hopeless or overwhelmed.

If patients in need are not given the resources to manage the internal dialogues pecking away at their emotional fortitude, it can have a domino effect that impacts treatment outcomes, long-term health and wellness, and the interpersonal relationships they need in the battle for their lives.

To make that happen, the patient’s clinical team can look for signs that they may be struggling. They can also integrate mental health assessments into their standard practice, approaching it in the same manner they do other health issues – straight forward and empathetic and without judgement. It can be as simple as inquiring if the patient is okay or letting them know it is normal and okay to not be okay – and that resources are available to help them manage their mental health in the same way resources are available to help them manage pain or nutritional needs.

At American Oncology Network (AON), those resources now include credentialled behavioral health therapists to whom patients can be referred for additional assessment and, if needed, a therapy program tailored to their unique needs. Therapists are currently available to practices in Arkansas and will soon be available in Iowa, Missouri, Louisiana, and Indiana. The Behavioral Health Team is growing, with the goal of having credentialled, licensed therapists available to patients in every state where AON has partner practices.

The Mind-Body Connection

Helping a patient with their mental health struggles can be as simple as having someone that is not on their medical care team or in their family or circle of friends who will listen to and reassure them that their thoughts and feelings are normal and understandable; someone who can give them the tools to cope with what they’re experiencing. In some cases, a patient may only require a few sessions for them to feel emotionally stronger. In other cases, more intense or longer-term therapy may be necessary, such as when a pre-existing disorder has been triggered by their diagnosis. What is important is getting the patient the support they need before it spirals out of control.

There is a strong connection between the mind and body. What impacts one will almost always impact the other. For cancer patients struggling with mental health issues, helping them get to an emotionally healthy place can change their entire outlook and empower them to withstand the many challenges they will face whatever their outcome might be.

Dispelling the Myths Around Nutrition and Cancer

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Holistic cancer care is enjoying growing popularity as the body of evidence on the benefits of treating the whole patient – the physical, emotional, and socioeconomic aspects – increases. Yet nutritional support is often overlooked in otherwise comprehensive treatment plans. It’s an oversight that can exacerbate side effects, prolong or delay treatment, and complicate short- and long-term recovery.

That is why American Oncology Network (AON) has assembled a team of highly qualified and credentialed oncology dietitians to work with its community practices on ways to integrate personalized nutrition counseling into care plans. While the program is still in its infancy, early response has been positive as patients and clinicians alike see first-hand how proper nutrition and in particular prevention of malnutrition is creating a solid foundation for successful treatment.

Why Nutrition Matters

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in how well a cancer patient responds to treatment. Not only does nutrition impact energy and stamina levels, but it can help boost the body’s response to treatment and therefore the efficacy of prescribed therapies.

An important goal of oncology nutrition is preventing a patient from becoming malnourished – which is much easier than treating malnutrition. When a patient maintains a healthy nutritional status, they are typically able to handle treatment much better. They don’t need to pause treatment or change treatment plans due to weight loss or the body’s inability to tolerate the full course. Thus, the ability to maintain a base level of nutrition from the outset of treatment sets the patient up for success and helps drive better outcomes.

Maintaining healthy eating habits can also give patients an emotional boost, especially when side effects from treatment sap their appetite or make eating a struggle, for example due to appetite changes, nausea, fatigue, or changes in how things taste or smell. By reframing how they view food into something with purpose, for example as fuel to power the body through treatment rather than simply an act to be performed, can help patients overcome some of the mental challenges which can be particularly helpful when eating is the last thing someone wants to do.

Nutrition – and nutrition counseling – can also help prevent patients from developing an unhealthy relationship with food. A handful of studies have found a relationship between a cancer diagnosis and development of an eating disorder like orthorexia, which is an obsession or fixation with “proper” eating to the point it becomes unhealthy. One theory is that patients fixate on food and nutrition to regain some of the control that cancer has taken away. Others suggest that controlling food intake becomes a way of subconsciously punishing their bodies for getting sick in the first place.

Working with oncology dietitians can help maintain a healthy nutritional status by identifying the right foods to fuel patients’ bodies. It also helps them maintain a healthy relationship with food, nutrition, and their bodies as they battle cancer.

Food for Wellness

When it comes to healthy choices from both a prevention and treatment standpoint, variety is the key, as is understanding how nutritional needs evolve over time for many patients. In general, the ideal diet for optimal nutrition consists of a wide variety of nutrient dense foods. These are typically plant-based – foods that are grown and eaten in their natural state such as vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. However, during treatment or recovery, food priorities may shift to focus on adequate calorie or protein intake to promote maintenance of lean body mass and/or weight.

Along with variety and flexibility, another good rule of thumb is to eat the rainbow. Consuming foods that encompass a wide range of bright colors is an easy way to ensure the body is getting a variety of antioxidants and phytochemicals. These components also work together synergistically to help support overall health and wellness.

Adding protein to the mix supports lean body mass and muscle stores and adds calories – all of which are particularly important for patients who are undergoing treatment. Nutritional needs should be assessed periodically to ensure they are being met, and adjustments made as patients transition through treatment and into recovery.

An Important Focus

AON understands the importance of proper nutrition for cancer patients. That is why every member of its nutrition team is a Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO), a credential that was developed by the Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group together with the Commission on Dietetic Registration. A recommended minimum of two years of clinical practice with documentation of 2,000 hours of practice experience in the oncology care setting is required to sit for the certification exam – which must be retaken every five years to remain certified.

CSOs and oncology nutrition are important additions to the holistic care model used by AON’s community-based practices. A cancer diagnosis is traumatic, and treatment can be grueling. But a whole-person care plan that includes nutrition counseling can put the patient on the path to the most successful outcome possible.

Jorge A. Rios, MD Reviews Advances in NSCLC for World Lung Cancer Day

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In an interview with Targeted Oncology, Zangmeister Cancer Center Medical Oncologist Jorge A. Rios, MD, discusses recent advances in non-small cell lung cancer and the role targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has played in this progress. Read the article.

Indy Hematology Review Convenes Nation’s Foremost Hematologic Cancer Experts to Share Insights, Advance Outcomes

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On Aug. 21, 2021, leaders in hematology and hematology malignancies will gather in Indianapolis for what has become one of the most comprehensive educational hematology conferences in the country – the 18th Annual Indy Hematology Review. I’m honored to be chair of this year’s event, which is hosted by Indy Hematology Education, Inc. and delivers to attendees a concise and practical summary of the American Society of Hematology annual meeting, including the most current hematology research and clinical practice.

It was almost two decades ago when a group of hematologists recognized a need to promote education in hematologic disorders and malignancies in the Indianapolis area. We (I was honored to be part of this group) determined that successfully meeting the needs of our community required convening a faculty that was second-to-none – regardless of where in the world they may be based. But we also wanted to ensure those experts were able to share their knowledge in an environment that made it easy for the practitioners who would most benefit from that education to integrate it into their own clinical practice.

This ultimately led to the creation of the Indy Hematology Review, where attendees hear from speakers hailing from the top universities, cancer centers and research organizations in the world, live and in-person. And, because attendance is kept relatively small compared to other meetings of this type, those physicians, nurses, and other practitioners also have the rare opportunity to interact one-on-one with these internationally renowned experts, asking questions, sharing experiences, and gaining practical tips for putting the latest research findings and clinical tools into practice.

In addition to the main Symposium, with programming for physicians, the Indy Hematology Review features a second tandem symposium for nurses and allied providers. There is even a town hall and reception at which patients can share their own case stories and ask questions of a diverse panel of experts.

The Review also offers Continuing Education – up to 8.75 Medical Knowledge Maintenance of Certification (MOC) points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s MOC program and up to 10 Continuing Nursing Education contact hours by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Pharmacists can also earn up to 10 contact hours from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Among the key highlights of the 2021 Review, which features both in-person and virtual programming options, are “State of the Art: 2021 Emerging Therapies in Hematologic Malignancies,” which provides summary of all the major updates in the field, and live case reviews during the Town Hall wrap up event.

The Review will also feature “An Evening with the Experts,” an opportunity for patients, their families, friends, and caregivers to hear from nationally esteemed physicians about new scientific knowledge and advances. Among the topics to be presented are emerging therapies for blood diseases, cancers and lymphomas, stem cell transplantation and CAR therapy, surviving cancer with art therapy, emerging therapies for lymphomas, and an overview of treatments and current research in leukemia, myeloproliferative disorders, lymphoma, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, and myeloma. You can access more information and register here.

More information on the 18th Annual Indy Hematology Review, including the agenda, speakers and registration, can be found here. 

Expanded Therapies Bring New Hope to Lung Cancer Patients

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On August 1, Messino Cancer Centers (MCC) and American Oncology Network (AON) join the Lung Cancer Foundation of America for World Lung Cancer Day, celebrating the researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates who exemplify what “Living with Lung Cancer” looks like. We’re also raising awareness of the need for ongoing and expanded lung cancer research to continue building upon the advances that have given greater hope to patients who receive this devastating diagnosis.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. It also claims more lives – both men and women – than any other type of cancer. Yet there is room for optimism, thanks to the significant advances in early diagnosis and treatment.

It was not that long ago when chemotherapy was the only real option when it came to treating metastatic lung cancer. Now, we have a broader selection of treatment tools at our disposal, which has helped improve life expectancy for non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

Targeted Attacks

At MCC, my practice centers around systemic therapy, where medications are given intravenously or orally and disseminate throughout the body to target cancer wherever it lurks. While chemotherapy – which attacks rapidly dividing cells – is still used in frontline treatment, we now have additional types of treatment including targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

With targeted therapies, we leverage the knowledge that certain types of lung cancer can have specific gene mutations, so-called driver mutations, that create hyper-activated protein products. As their name implies, these mutations drive the formation, growth, and dissemination of these cancers. Targeted therapies are designed to inhibit the production of these driver mutations. Doing so creates a catastrophic response that kills the cancer cells and shrinks the tumor.

Immunotherapies are another advancement that have completely reshaped how oncologists treat lung cancer. The idea of immunotherapy is decades-old, the premise being that our immune systems recognize cancers as foreign, but cancer cells evade attack by immune cells. Early attempts at overcoming so-called immune evasion involved deploying high dose cytokines to hyperactivate immune cells, but these are fairly toxic and have a very narrow scope of activity.

More recently, the molecular mechanisms of so-called checkpoints between tumor cells and immune cells that mediate immune evasion have been delineated by immunologists. This has directly led to the development of antibodies that block these checkpoints, allowing a patient’s immune system to bypass these checkpoints and proceed to attack and kill the cancer cells. Immunotherapies are now ubiquitously deployed in metastatic lung cancer with or without chemotherapy and tend to be more durable and less toxic than chemotherapy.

Advancing Science

When it comes to lung cancer therapies, MCC plays an active role in their advancement by participating in clinical trials to uncover the next cutting-edge treatment. In addition to an affiliation with the Southeast Clinical Oncology Research (SCOR) Consortium, our partnership with AON paved the way for us to become a strategic research site for Sarah Cannon Research Institute. These relationships help us bring clinical trial opportunities to more of our patients than would otherwise be possible as an independent community-based practice.

For example, researchers are looking at combining standard of care immunotherapies with a new investigational drug that could potentially boost their effectiveness. Participating in these kinds of clinical trials help evaluate effectiveness of drugs or treatment routines – and give our patients the opportunity to participate in approved and exploratory therapies without need for travel to an academic center.

It’s also important to point out that, in addition to novel therapies, palliative care is now established as fundamental to frontline care of lung cancer patients. The so-called Temel study – published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2010 – found that early palliative care not only led to significant improvements in both quality of life and mood among patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, but actually prolonged survival compared to usual care. Early palliative care is now a standard of care in non-small cell lung cancer and a motivation for MCC’s recent addition of Dr. Joshua Baru, a consummate palliative physician, to our clinical team.

Progress and Hope

There is no question that, when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, research has allowed us to move the needle on both survival and quality of life. A cure has yet to be found, but the dedication of oncologists, clinical researchers, patient advocates and patients themselves has resulted in life-altering advancements that mean a lung cancer diagnosis comes with a level of hope that exceeds what we’ve seen in the past.  

Men’s Health Month: Steps to Reduce Cancer Risks and Lead Healthier Lives

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June is Men’s Health Month and the perfect time for a refresher on some things men can do to improve their overall health and wellness, reduce their cancer risks, and improve the odds of catching some cancers in their earliest stages.

One of the most important steps is also the easiest:  see your doctor.

Annual physicals are essential to leading a healthy lifestyle. They ensure that appropriate health screenings are conducted and preventive vaccinations including the flu, shingles, HPV, and most likely COVID-19 are given. The physical is an ideal opportunity to identify potential issues and discuss concerns the patient or physician may have. It is also a good time to review factors, including family history, which can impact risk for cancers and other diseases and can guide screening decisions.

Preventative Maintenance

This year’s annual exam is especially important for those who put off seeing their physician during the pandemic – care delays that have driven an uptick in later-stage cancer diagnoses due to missed screenings and, in some cases, preventable advancement of the disease from delayed treatment.

One of these is colorectal cancer, which has seen a troublesome uptick among younger adults and is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in men ages 20-49. The alarming trend prompted the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in May to change its stance and recommend screenings begin at age 45 and continue through at least age 75. Colonoscopy remains the preferred screening for colorectal cancers, particularly as any polyps that are found can be immediately removed and sent for testing. However, lab tests and other less invasive options are also available – but are likely to be followed by a colonoscopy in the case of abnormal results.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death (behind lung cancer) and the second most common cancer (behind skin cancer) in men. To promote early identification of prostate issues, the USPSTF recommends that men between the age of 55 and 69 decide about prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) testing in consultation with their physician. It also recommends against PSA testing in men aged 70 and over. Those who are at a higher risk of prostate cancer, including African-American men and men whose father or brother had the disease, should speak with their doctors about earlier screenings—in some cases by age 45. Currently, Medicare and many private insurance plans provide coverage for an annual PSA test for all Medicare-eligible men aged 50 and older.

Though uncommon, breast cancer should not be overlooked as about 1 in every 100 cases occurs in a man. The risk goes up for those with a family history or inherited mutations in certain genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. Age, a history of radiation or hormone therapy, liver disease, and conditions that affect the testicles (e.g., injury to, swelling in or surgical removal) can all increase the risk of breast cancer, as can being overweight or obese.

Small Steps with Big Impacts

Screenings and annual exams are important steps, but there are other steps men can take to improve their overall health and reduce their cancer risks. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper nutrition and exercise is a big one, as are limiting alcohol, getting plenty of rest and other steps that strengthen the immune system.

But all these actions pale in comparison to the impact of quitting smoking.

Smoking is the leading cause of premature, preventable death, causing about 480,000 premature deaths each year in the U.S. It harms nearly every bodily organ and organ system and is associated with innumerable malignancies – cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, cervix, colon, and rectum, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.

Smoking also causes heart disease, stroke, aortic aneurysm, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts, and worsens asthma symptoms in adults. And smokers are at higher risk for pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other airway infections. It also causes inflammation and impairs immune function.

Make it Happen

Simply put, the message every man should take from Men’s Health Month is to carve out just an hour each year to have that annual physical. For smokers, the primary message is equally concise: quit.

Both actions can, quite literally, save a life.  

The Benefits of Clinical Trials at Community Practices

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Clinical trials are essential to advancements in treating — and ultimately eradicating — cancer. And patient participation is key to ensuring their efficacy and accuracy.

However, patients aren’t as willing to enroll in trials as they have been in the past. One study conducted in 2020 found that 49% of respondents were willing to participate in trials, which was down from 85% in 2019. One reason could be patient education; that same study showed 36% of those polled didn’t understand clinical research very well or at all. That number was at 10% in 2019.

The best way to make patients feel more comfortable enrolling in trials is participation by community oncology practices, which allows them to take part in trials close to home and alongside nurses and physicians who they already know and trust.

Getting Trials into the Communities

About 90% of cancer patients are treated at community practices — yet most clinical trials are performed at academic institutions, where they can be accessed by only about 10% of patients. This not only limits the number of patients who can enroll, but it puts the additional burden of travel on those who do participate, especially those who live in rural areas.

By administering trials at community oncology practices such as those that comprise the American Oncology Network (AON), pharmaceutical companies can provide patients with access to cutting-edge and innovative therapies and medications in the comfort and familiarity of their local clinic.

This benefits scientists and oncologists too, as they can get a clearer picture of the efficacy of a certain medication or therapy when a large number of patients enrolls in a trial.

Addressing Patient Concerns

Before enrolling in a clinical trial, patients are put through a rigorous screening process to make sure it is safe for them to participate.

Once patients are cleared, scientists, oncologists and nurses outline the process, explaining why the design of a certain drug fits their particular case and how it may aid in their treatment. If a patient has any concerns — for example, many fear they will be placed in a placebo group — it is covered in that discussion.

Once those conversations take place and their fears fully addressed, patients are typically very willing and engaged in the trials — especially when they realize that their participation can help millions of others who are also fighting cancer.

Partnering with a Network can Benefit Trials

Some local clinics may not have the manpower, time or resources necessary to participate in clinical trials, especially clinics located in rural areas. Partnering with a network such as AON can alleviate those issues.

Whether it’s financial support or assistance recruiting the necessary personnel, AON can help lay the groundwork for a community practice to start administering trials. The network can also assist with laboratory or tech support and the implementation of any hardware or software.

Clinical research is another way community oncology practices can take better care of their patients while contributing to the body of scientific knowledge. Through these trials, oncologists can continue to learn new and innovative ways to treat cancer and provide more optimistic and successful outcomes for their patients.

What Women Need to Know About Gynecological Cancers

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World Ovarian Cancer Day takes place May 8 — just before Mother’s Day — and marks the start of National Women’s Health Week (May 9 – 15). This confluence of events makes this an excellent time to shine a light on the symptoms of gynecological cancers and the preventative measures women can take to lessen their risk.

There aren’t many options when it comes to gynecological screenings. That is one reason why knowing the warning signs and keeping up with annual examinations is so important.

Symptoms of Gynecological Cancers

Endometrial cancer, which starts in the inner lining of the uterus, is one of the most common gynecological cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 66,000 cases of endometrial cancer will be diagnosed in 2021 and nearly 13,000 women are projected to die from it. The good thing about endometrial and cervical cancers is they are often easy to identify because they present very specific symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.

Ovarian cancer, which ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, is far more challenging to diagnose because its symptoms including bloating, diarrhea and weight gain can all be attributed to less serious conditions. Consequently, ovarian cancer is often diagnosed when it is already in an advanced — and sometimes untreatable — stage.

Vulvar cancer is exceedingly rare, accounting for less than 1% of cancers in women.  However, the American Cancer Society projects more than 1,500 women will die from vulvar cancer in 2021. Symptoms of vulvar cancer include the presence of unusual moles, itching and irritation. Women, especially those 60 years or older, should see their physician if they are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Remaining Vigilant and Proactive

The healthcare industry has made great strides in understanding the genetic components of many cancers — gynecological cancers included.

Genetic predispositions can be traced to 25% of ovarian, Fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers. This allows women in the high-risk category to be screened earlier with the cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) blood test. In some cases, risk-reducing surgeries can be performed.

However, while they are the best option right now for diagnosing these cancers, data has shown that these tests aren’t always effective. Because there aren’t many options in regards to screenings for these cancers, it is important that women remain proactive about their annual check-ups, including a full examination of the uterus and ovaries — especially since malignancies in these areas may go undetected during a Pap smear.

Being proactive means living a healthy lifestyle as well. Obesity can be traced back to conditions such as endometrial cancer, so eating right and getting plenty of exercise can help reduce the risk of a diagnosis. When it comes to staving off cervical cancer, physicians highly recommend the HPV vaccine that prevents the human papilloma virus — the primary cause of cervical cancer.

We are always looking at new and enhanced ways to prevent and ultimately eradicate cancer – a quest that has led to the development of medications such as PARP (poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase) inhibitors, a targeted therapy that can be taken orally and prevents cancer cells from repairing themselves. Without patient participation in clinical trials, however, advanced treatments such as PARP wouldn’t be possible, which is why patients are encouraged to participate in these trials whenever and wherever they can.

Clinical trials allow patients access to innovative and cutting-edge treatment methods while also helping the healthcare industry move forward in its quest to better treat — and ultimately eradicate — cancer.

The Benefit of Comprehensive Cancer Care

Similar to the other community-based practices in the American Oncology Network (AON), Cancer & Blood Specialists of Arizona offers comprehensive whole-person care.

Our nurses and multidisciplinary oncologists accompany patients on every step of their journey, from initial diagnosis through chemotherapy and, if needed, surgical procedures. We also provide cancer surveillance and survivorship programs to help guard against a recurrence.

Because our patients receive treatments and follow-up in one nearby, convenient location, they are able to form trusting relationships with our nurses, physicians and staff — the greatest benefit to working with a community oncology clinic.

Cancer is one of the most challenging and scariest experiences a person can endure. Doing so in a safe and comfortable environment, however, can go a long way toward lessening some of the emotional and physical burden.

The Crucial Role Nurses Play in Oncology

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Nurses Week takes place May 6 – May 12 and spotlights the millions of nurses across the country who devote their lives to helping others in their time of physical, emotional and spiritual need.

Nurses play an essential role in oncology care, especially throughout the community-based clinics that make up American Oncology Network (AON). They forge meaningful, trusting relationships with our patients — as well as with their families and caregivers — and provide comfort and hope to those battling through some of the most difficult and scariest times of their lives.

While the role of an oncology nurse has expanded and changed over the years, one thing remains constant: the complete commitment and compassion they have for each patient they help treat.

The Role of an Oncology Nurse

Oncology nurses pride themselves on providing whole-person care, which encompasses nurturing the patient’s spiritual and emotional well-being while also addressing their physical needs. This begins at a patient’s very first visit to one of our practices, where they have a thorough meeting with a nurse practitioner to go over their course of care. When the patient undergoes their first chemotherapy infusion — which can be a frightening and overwhelming experience — the nurse remains by their side to guide them through it.

Unlike those at a hospital, nurses who work at community oncology clinics see the same patients several times a week, giving them a chance to earn their trust and tailor their treatment. For example, if a nurse notices one of their patients isn’t feeling particularly well, they can confer with the physician about IV hydration or perhaps delaying the patient’s treatment until they are feeling better. Most nurses get to know their patients so well that they can tell how they’re feeling just by looking at them.

Along with providing care and support, oncology nurses assess a patient’s health and, in consultation with the physician, decide which members of a multidisciplinary team should be involved with their care. To succeed in this expanded role, nurses must listen to their patients, earn their trust and provide them with the tools needed to get the most success out of their treatment.

Getting Your Nurses Involved

More than 500,000 experienced registered nurses are set to retire by 2022, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that an addition of 1.1 million nurses will be needed to help avoid a shortage.

While the impact of a nursing shortage will cause ripples throughout the healthcare industry, it will have a greater affect on oncology. Because our nurses deal with patients who are being treated for a potentially terminal illness, many young nurses and nursing students mistakenly believe that working each day at an oncology practice is a sad and arduous task.

This is a misconception that needs to be addressed. The truth is, because our patients rely so heavily on a nurse’s care and compassion, working as an oncology nurse is an extremely rewarding career, and the relationships nurses build with patients can last long after treatment is completed.

To help attract more nurses to oncology, many of our nursing society groups offer scholarships to nursing students with an interest in cancer care. AON practices are also very involved with their local oncology nursing societies, many of which offer free memberships to nursing students. Nurses from our clinics visit local colleges and nursing schools and meet with nursing students so they can get an entry-level view of life as an oncology nurse.

The Power in Joining a Network

Oncology nurses who work in practices that partner with AON benefit from working with a national network.

AON offers several different opportunities for nurses to advance their careers while working directly with patients. We also provide financial assistance for nurses who choose to further their degree and also pay membership and certification fees to help nurses become certified in oncology.  AON also pays membership fees for oncology nursing societies, giving our nurses the opportunity to exchange ideas and share new approaches to patient care.

At AON, our nurses take great pride in what they do and understand the role they play in providing compassionate care and support to those who need it the most. They are essential to our ability to deliver high-quality oncology care to patients right in their own community.

How Specialty Infusions Can Best be Provided by Community Oncology

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By Jenny Li, Clinical Oncology Pharmacist, and Camilo Rodriguez, Director of Pharmacy Operations, American Oncology Network

At American Oncology Network (AON), we take pride in providing high-quality care to cancer patients right in their own community. As an extension of that care, we offer specialty infusions throughout our clinics across the country.

Specialty infusions are not associated with a cancer diagnosis and are often used to treat a wide range of illnesses including asthma, genetic and skin disorders, rheumatoid diseases such as arthritis, and Crohn’s disease and other gastrointestinal problems.

Receiving these infusions at one of our practices will make for a convenient, cost-effective experience for oncology and non-oncology patients while they’re being treated by nurses and physicians based right in their own community.

A One-Stop Shop for all Patients

Because the infrastructure is already in place, there are many benefits to receiving specialty infusions at our practices as opposed to a hospital or other outpatient setting.

One important distinction is that the biologic drugs that make up specialty infusions are often similar in nature to the oncology medications we prescribe and administer at AON. Consequently, our staff is already familiar with the procurement processes for these drugs, as well as the pertinent administration preparations.

Furthermore, if a patient receiving a specialty infusion starts experiencing side effects—especially when they mirror those that accompany oncology medications—our staff has the expertise and equipment to begin immediate treatment. And by receiving these treatments in a community setting, patients won’t be hit with the extra facility fees they would have to pay at a hospital. This helps ease the financial burden and enrich a patient’s physical and mental health.

For oncology patients who also need treatment for non-oncology disorders, providing specialty infusions lets us serve as a one-stop shop where they can receive comprehensive care in one convenient, familiar location. Rather than going to an infusion center or hospital to receive treatment from staff they’re not familiar with, our patients will see the AON physicians and nurses with whom they’ve already built a trusting relationship.

The Enhanced Benefits of a Network

Joining a national network such as AON offers a whole host of benefits for independent community-based oncology practices that wish to also provide specialty infusions to their patients.

AON has contracting power that gives our practices access to a wide formulary of non-oncology medications that may not be available to smaller private practices.

Some independent practices may not have the time or manpower to research and investigate the specifics regarding specialty infusions. AON manages all that with standardized education and training, as well as a reference library our clinicians can access at any time to learn more about a medication. That includes such important information as preparation instructions and monitoring parameters under the Food and Drug Administration’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. REMS is a drug safety program required by the FDA for certain drugs to help ensure the benefits outweigh the risks.

Ultimately, supporting our practice partners in offering specialty infusions is another way AON provides top-shelf service to our patients right in their own backyard—which is precisely what community-based care is all about.