“Advocacy is a pillar of nursing. Nurses instinctively advocate for their patients, in their workplaces, and in their communities, but legislative and political advocacy is no less important to advancing the profession and patient care.” —American Nurses Association 

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) aged 20–39 account for the steepest increase in the rising rates of early-onset colorectal cancer, but identification of early warning signs and vigilant screening can prevent the predictions of the incidence doubling by 2030 in patients younger than 50 years. According to the results of a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, four red flags should trigger clinicians to refer younger individuals for early detection testing. 

Neurofibromatosis type 2 is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by bilateral vestibular schwannomas that can lead to significant hearing loss or deafness. Symptoms include tinnitus, hearing loss, and balance problems, with an average age of onset of 18–24 years and nearly 100% penetrance.

Both collaborative and authoritative communication approaches have value in educating and engaging patients. When deciding which style to use with each patient, oncology nurses must evaluate the individual, situation, and decision-making dynamics. 

On September 14, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved new labeling for temozolomide (Temodar^®) under Project Renewal, an Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE) initiative that updates labeling information for older oncology drugs to ensure it is clinically meaningful and scientifically current. This is the second drug—both anticancer agents—to receive a labeling update under the pilot program. The first was for capecitabine (Xeloda^®).

From WashingtonPost.com: House Republicans on three committees have hashed out a package aimed at increasing healthcare transparency and extending critical health programs—and a GOP leadership aide said the legislation is being looked at for potential floor consideration this month. Over the August recess, GOP lawmakers on the House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and the Workforce committees worked to negotiate a package they could all get behind. But will Democrats support the bill? That’s still TBD.

Among all racial and ethnic groups, indigenous people (Native American and Alaska Natives) had the largest decline in life expectancy from 2020–2021. They also have the lowest overall life expectancy (65.2 years) than any of their Asian, Black, Hispanic, or White counterparts—in some cases, up to 20 years shorter. Indigenous people have disproportionately high rates of suicide, chronic liver disease, cardiac disorders, diabetes, and infant and maternal mortality.

On September 11, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Novartis’s voluntary nationwide recall at the consumer level of one lot of its Sandimmune^® Oral Solution (cyclosporine oral solution, USP), 100 mg/ml, in the United States because of observations of crystals in some bottles that could result in incorrect dosing. No other cyclosporine oral solution formulations are affected.

Cancer survivors from historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups who experience racism are more likely to report physical, mental, sleep, and activity issues during survivorship, researchers reported in study results published in Cancer. 

A reported 22%–58% of patients with cancer experience distress that can occur at any point along the clinical course, and it can interfere with their ability to cope well with cancer, its physical symptoms, and treatment. Oncology nurses can teach patients about mind-body approaches such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), and mindfulness to help self-manage distress and guide them to resources for mind-body practices.