Seminars in oncology nursing
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To describe the epidemiology of cancer in the United States-risk factors, trends, and recent patterns of disparities in cancer incidence, mortality, and survival. ⋯ Nursing can use epidemiologic tools to reduce the suffering and death caused by cancer and improve the quality of life for cancer survivors.
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To present an overview of research into end-of-life (EoL) care for pediatric patients with cancer and to describe research completed by a newly formed collaboration of researchers. ⋯ Advancing the science of EoL care will depend on intervention-based clinical trials that include the perspective of the dying child in addi tion to parents and health care professionals.
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To review progress and future plans for a research program about parents' making treatment decisions for their children with cancer. ⋯ Research-based responses to the remaining questions about parent treatment decision making will help nurses develop and test interventions designed to support parents in their decision making experiences.
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To review the evolution of palliative care in the United States and to define the terms palliative, supportive, and end-of-life care. ⋯ Nurses providing care to patients who are living and dying from advanced cancer should apply palliative interventions from diagnosis until death.
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To review the four sets of symptom clusters commonly seen in patients with advanced illness, and their definitions, associated symptomatology, and management. ⋯ It is important that the nurse providing symptom management for the oncology patient understand the importance of clustering certain symptoms together.