Cancer Treatment, Therapy and Nursing

Early treatments focused on improving surgical techniques for removing tumors. It was the 1900s when Radiation therapy and Chemotherapeutics came into the picture and were refined throughout the 20th century.

Emerging topics in cancer treatment research include:

• Anti-cancer vaccines
• Newer forms of chemotherapy
• Gene therapy
• Photodynamic therapy
• Radiation therapy
• Reoviridae (Reolysin drug therapy)
• Targeted therapy
• Natural killer cells can induce immunological memory

Research is being developed to modify their action against cancer.

Oncology nursing care is also an important aspect in the treatment of cancer which meets the various needs of oncology patients during the time of their disease including appropriate screenings, preventive practices, symptom management, care to retain as much normal functioning as possible, and supportive measures upon end of life. These nurses need advanced certifications and clinical experiences in oncology further than the typical bachelorette nursing program provides.

Oncology nurses can work inpatient settings such as hospitals, outpatient settings, in hospice services, or in physician offices in a variety of specialities such as radiation, surgery, pediatric, or gynecologic. Oncology nurses have advanced knowledge of assessing the client’s status which will help the multi-disciplinary medical team to develop a treatment plan.