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More
than half of nurses have stopped or delayed
patients' Chemotherapy Treatment
Newswise — A new survey shows that a significant and alarming percentage
of oncology nurses – 56 percent, or 325
nurses – report having had to stop or delay
their patients’ treatment because of
chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting –
CINV – and they cite it as one of the most
important factors, after fatigue, that
affect cancer patients’ quality of life.
“Oncology nurses are on the front lines,
providing necessary education and support to
help patients manage cancer diagnoses and
treatment,” said Barbara Rogers, CRNP, MN,
AOCN, Adult Hematology-Oncology Nurse
Practitioner, Fox Chase Cancer Center.
“These survey data highlight the need for improved strategies, including
a zero tolerance policy, to manage the
nausea and vomiting that affect our
patients’ lives as they undergo
chemotherapy.”
More than 1 million cancer patients in the United States undergo
chemotherapy every year, and nearly 70
percent will experience nausea and vomiting
due to chemotherapy.
The survey was conducted and analyzed on-site at the Oncology Nursing
Society’s (ONS) 33rd Annual Congress, where
nearly 5,000 oncology nurses gathered with
the goal of improving cancer care.
Studies have shown that both doctors and nurses tend to underestimate the
incidence of both acute CINV, which occurs
within 24 hours of treatment, as well as
delayed or refractory CINV, which occurs
after the first 24 hours.
The survey suggests that one reason may be that one-third of nurses feel
their patients never, or only sometimes,
communicate with them openly about their
experiences with nausea and vomiting because
they do not want to complain (35 percent),
they expect to suffer (28 percent), and they
do not think that anything can be done about
these side effects (18 percent).
While almost all oncology nurses discuss CINV treatment options
proactively with their patients, 71 percent
of patients still suffer from CINV for two
or more days.
“Current research has told us that while
vomiting may be better controlled, nausea
remains a problem in practice.
"The
overwhelming message here is that with
treatments available today, we should be
treating all CINV as aggressively as
possible,” said Rogers, an ONS member.
“Based on these survey findings, ONS members
must go back to their individual practices
with the goal of opening the lines of
communication about CINV between healthcare
providers and patients, to achieve greater
control of this debilitating side effect.”
About CINV
CINV is one of the most feared side effects
for cancer patients, and it can have a major
impact on a patient’s quality of life.
CINV is generally classified as acute, delayed or anticipatory, with
delayed nausea and vomiting prevalent in
nearly 60 percent of patients receiving
highly nausea-inducing chemotherapy.
Patients most at risk for developing CINV include those under the age of
50, female patients, and those who receive
higher doses or multiple types of
chemotherapy regimens.
Additionally, CINV may affect patients who have experienced nausea
and vomiting during previous chemotherapy
treatments, and those who experienced
sweating, dizziness or warmth following
previous chemotherapy treatment. If left
untreated, CINV can lead to dehydration,
malnutrition, treatment delay or even
discontinuation of chemotherapy treatment.
About the Survey
This electronic survey was conducted among
581 oncology nurses at the Oncology Nursing
Society’s annual congress in Philadelphia.
The results were analyzed using Zarca
Interactive®. The survey was funded by
ProStrakan Group plc, an international
specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated
to helping alleviate the often-distressing
symptoms experienced by patients with
undertreated medical conditions. This survey
is maintained by ONSEdge, Inc., a subsidiary
of ONS.
About ProStrakan
ProStrakan is one of Europe’s fastest
growing pharmaceutical companies, with new
U.S. headquarters in Bedminster, New Jersey.
ProStrakan is committed to developing
innovative therapies to improve the lives of
patients. Our current products range from
cancer, women’s health, men’s health,
anesthesiology, and cardiovascular disease.
For more information on ProStrakan, please
visit www.ProStrakan-USA.com
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