Nurses Continue to Prove Their Adaptability

This year has been tough for many Americans, but it has also highlighted the dedication of nurses and other health care providers across the country. I believe there is no better time than now for designating 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. Nurses have been tireless in adapting the ways in which they provide cancer care, while ensuring patients continue to receive the best possible treatment.

For many, telemedicine has become a new normal, and these changes that have occurred in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic could be long-lasting ones. Although telemedicine has its strengths, there is a downside to not meeting patients face-to-face. Even more debatable is the use of in-home care for patients with cancer. In this issue’s “Social Hour” column, hear what readers have to say about these novel methods of treatment.

Before a patient receives any agent to treat their cancer, clinicians must first decide on the best treatment regimen. For many disease types, genetic testing is the first step in this process. Our cover story discusses the phenomenal work that 2 nurses are doing in this space. And not only does genetic testing help determine the best drugs for patients, but it can clue family members in on potential risks, creating the opportunity for earlier treatment or cancer prevention. Read more about prevention in our feature story.

Don’t forget to head over to our Continuing Education section to read up on best practices for treating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, head online and take the quiz, which will count for 1 CE credit.

From new methods of care to staying up to date on the latest research and treatment regimens, nurses continue to prove their adaptability. I hope you find this issue enlightening. As always, thank you for reading.

Mike Hennessy Sr

Chairman and Founder