On September 20, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to tisotumab vedotin-tftv (Tivdak™), a tissue factor-directed antibody and microtubule inhibitor conjugate, for adult patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer whose disease has progressed on or after chemotherapy.

Ophelia is a 42-year-old patient who has been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). She completed neoadjuvant chemotherapy with dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, followed by paclitaxel and carboplatin. Her postsurgical pathology shows residual disease in the tumor (3.5 cm down from 4 cm) and 12 out of 18 lymph nodes that are positive for cancer. Ophelia tells you that she is very discouraged and expected a better treatment outcome.

On September 17, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported Pfizer’s voluntary recall of all lots of varenicline 0.5 mg/1 mg tablets to the patient level because of the presence of N-nitroso-varenicline, a nitrosamine, at or above the FDA interim acceptable intake limit. FDA said that while Pfizer is undertaking the precautionary measure, alternative suppliers have been approved in the United States.

Innovative, affordable, and accountable care are the key to transforming the healthcare system to achieve health equity, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center’s 10-year plan, which the center announced on August 12, 2021.

When ONS reached out and asked me to participate in the inaugural ONS Hackathon, I wasted no time in confirming my interest. I had heard of hackathons before but never a nursing-specific one. It was an exciting experience full of growth for me and the other oncology nurses who participated.

A basic understanding of the endocrine system is helpful in assessing and monitoring patients for common side effects of cancer and its treatments, Marianne Davies, DNP, ACNP, FAAN, from Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, said during a session held at the ONS Bridge^TM virtual conference on September 16, 2021. She provided attendees with a complete overview and associated disorders, emphasizing the need for nurses to be vigilant in watching for signs and symptoms in their patients.

When a patient’s behavior is different than what would be expected, swift identification and treatment can be critical, if not lifesaving when it comes to psychiatric disorders or symptoms, Kathleen Murphy-Ende, PhD, PsyD, AOCNP^®, PMHNP, from the University Wisconsin, said during a session September 16, 2021, for the ONS Bridge^TM virtual meeting.

Well-being is as much part of an oncology nurse’s personal protective equipment as gloves and gowns are, Lisa Blackburn, MS, APRN-CNS, PMGT-BC, AOCNS^®, from The James at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, said in a session during the ONS Bridge^TM virtual conference on September 16, 2021. Just as a construction worker needs a hard hat, safety vest, and harness, oncology nurses need equipment to protect themselves from the hazards of their work, and “it’s more than manis, pedis, and massages,” Blackburn said.

Patients with cancer may experience low levels of magnesium and potassium for a variety of reasons throughout the course of their treatment, and both conditions can be serious or even fatal. Oncology nurses are critical in educating patients and understanding the benefits and potential concerns associated with electrolyte replacement, Puja Patel, PharmD, BCOP, from Northwestern Medicine Delnor Cancer Center in Geneva, IL, said during a session during the ONS Bridge^TM virtual conference on September 16, 2021.

COVID-19 forced healthcare providers to pivot to digital health, but an estimated 70% of patients still deferred or canceled their care, including routine cancer screening. Technology is an essential tool in cancer care, according to Abigail Baldwin-Medsker, MSN, RN, OCN^®, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who presented a session at the ONS Bridge^TM virtual conference on September 16, 2021.