Breast Cancer

Women aged 65 and older undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer have a higher risk of experiencing a decline in their ability to function physically, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Banu K. Arun, MD, discussed the challenge of treating patients with triple-negative breast cancer, the value of genotyping, and what she hopes to see in future trial results.

Over the last few years, treatments for patients with metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer have evolved rapidly. As changes in care continue to progress, nurses need to understand these treatment options, and where the research may take the field in the future.

As abemaciclib (Verzenio) has emerged as a promising agent for patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, the oncology nurse is now a key factor for these patients, according to Paula Fulgham, RN, OCN.

The favored use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in oncology has led to an increase in immune-related adverse events (IRAEs), which if not managed properly, can be life-threatening.

The FDA has approved the Magtrace and Sentimag Magnetic Localization System to identify and remove sentinel lymph nodes in women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer.

The FDA has granted a priority review to antibody-drug conjugate sacituzumab govitecan for the treatment of patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer following at least 2 prior therapies for metastatic disease.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two ribociclib (Kisqali) combination treatments for subsets of advanced breast cancer in less than a month using a pilot process called the Real-Time Oncology Review.

The frontline combination use of atezolizumab (Tecentriq) plus nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) yielded a significant reduction in the risk for disease progression or death compared with nab-paclitaxel alone in patients with metastatic or unresectable locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

These are the most popular stories posted on Oncology Nursing News in the month of June.

The rhythmic sounds and sensations of drumming can be healing for patients with breast cancer.

The FDA has granted a priority review to the PARP inhibitor talazoparib for the treatment of patients with germline BRCA–positive, HER2–negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

Immuno-Oncology (IO) and novel agents targeting the microenvironment were the focus of the 2018 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Game-changing data published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented during the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting indicated that many women with HR+, HER2–, axillary node–negative breast cancer would see no significant benefit to having chemotherapy in addition to endocrine therapy.

A novel inhibitor that targets the AKT node in the PI3K pathway may offer a treatment option for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who are resistant to chemotherapy.

In patients with advanced breast cancer, oncology nurses play a key role in outcomes by providing education and supporting adherence to a treatment regimen.

CE lesson worth 1 contact hour that is intended to advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals who care for patients with cancer.

When a woman learns she carries a BRCA gene mutation—and thus, in her lifetime, faces an 87% risk of developing breast cancer and a 63% risk of getting ovarian cancer—she has a difficult decision-making process ahead of her. One nurse created an easy-to-understand guide that explains all options and their pros and cons, for use by oncology nurses working with BRCA mutation carriers who do not have cancer—previvors.

As the Food and Drug Administration continues to approve additional indications for olaparib (Lynparza), health care providers and caregivers should be aware of the potential adverse effects (AEs) associated with treatment.

Researchers recommended that survivors of younger-adult breast cancer learn and watch for the signs and symptoms of heart problems or failure, such as shortness of breath and fatigue, and always go to their follow-up appointments, where health care practitioners may keep tabs on their heart health.

Ribociclib (Kisqali), a targeted CDK4/6 inhibitor, is gaining traction in the treatment of hormone receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 2–negative advanced breast cancer, and nurses and patients need to be educated about its possible adverse effects (AEs).

Not only are PARP inhibitors proving to be an efficacious treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer, but they're also improving quality of life, too.

Several breast cancer treatment programs are reporting substantially less clinical lymphedema, particularly among patients at high risk after axillary dissection, radiation, or taxane-based chemotherapy, crediting their use of preclinical detection using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS).

Oncologist Kelly McCann, MD, PhD, reviews the vast improvements in the treatment landscape for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, as well as the work that lies ahead.

Mail-in DNA tests may not provide enough information to people looking for answers about their genetic predisposition to cancer.