Jaimie Vickery, MPP, joined the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) last fall as its next director of government affairs and advocacy. Vickery is the former government affairs lead for Vaccinate Your Family, a national nonprofit organization. 

For oral anticancer medications that can be stored at room temperature, dispensing unused pills can save individuals up to $1,600 per year, researchers reported in study results published in JAMA Oncology.

On December 20, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that Busse Hospital Disposables, Inc., had recalled its tracheostomy care tray, dressing change tray, and tracheostomy care set. Busse’s recall is in direct response to Nurse Assist LLC’s, November 6, 2023, recall of its 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation USP and sterile water for irrigation USP, over sterility concerns, which is the only saline used in the Busse trays and kits.

On December 27, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a letter to healthcare providers and clinical laboratory staff about the potential for false reactive (false positive) results in herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) serologic tests for genital herpes. 

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Many employers are beginning to learn that lesson about alternative funding programs, but patients are the ones bearing the brunt of the burden. Oncology nurses have a responsibility to understand that lesson, too—and the power to promote awareness and change. 

As we embark on a new year, reflecting on important milestones can inspire us. On July 17, 1975, ONS was incorporated. In 2024, we recognize our 49th year, which means that the grand 50th anniversary is on the horizon. The planning is underway, and we cannot wait to celebrate with you.

Among U.S. high school students, current overall tobacco product use declined nearly 30% in the past year, dropping from 16.5% in 2022 to 12.6% in 2023, according to findings that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey.

Type 2 diabetes has been linked to an elevated risk for liver, endometrial, pancreatic, and other cancers. Furthermore, patients with diabetes and cancer have higher disease-related mortality and are at a greater risk of infections. Evidence also supports an inverse association between serum HDL cholesterol and cancer risk. To lower their blood sugar and cholesterol levels, some patients use dietary supplements such as berberine. 

Patients from underrepresented groups who self-advocate, are actively involved in their care, and have strong social networks have better cancer outcomes, oncology nurse researchers reported in substudy results published in the Oncology Nursing Forum.

Margetuximab-cmkb (Margenza^®) received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in December 2020 for previously treated adults with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer after clinical trials demonstrated increased progression-free and overall survival.