Gul Cankaya
Marmara University Pendik Training Hospital, Turkey
Title: The role of cancer navigation nurse on pretreatment education for breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy
Biography
Biography: Gul Cankaya
Abstract
Aim: Th e aim of this presentation is to explain the role of the cancer navigation nurse during radiotherapy for breast cancer patints since these patients have high anxiety and therapies have severe side eff ects. Method: Recent literature and materials of European Oncology Nurse Society education materials are reviewed. Discussion: Cancer navigation nurses are patient educators and advocates, care coordinators, system navigators, and community ambassadors on a mission to improve the cancer experience for each patient. Patient education is a dynamic part of medicine. Radiation oncology is a complex treatment dicipline. Patient education is a part of quality of care. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are eff ective treatments for malignant cancers, and nearly half of all cancer patients undergo radiotherapy. Anxiety is one of the most common psychological response during cancer therapy for radiotherapy. Th e use of educational media, internet, applications are eff ective approaches to pretreatment education. Th ere are existing more information about radiotherapy on the web. Cancer navigation nurse can also perform symptom management during radiation treatment, with ap¬plications for pre-treatment education. Conclusion: Radiotherapy, following chemotherapy or breast surgery, is a complicated process and need to be well managed. Th e patients with complaints of previous treatments are vulnerable to radiation therapy side eff ects. Cancer navigation nurse can help for optimization of multiple therapies by close monitoring these patients.