New approaches: innovations in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: To discuss and project changes in cancer care in the 21st century.

DATA SOURCES

Projections are based on synthesis of multiple scholarly, professional, and governmental information sources.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Changes will be reflected in the areas of patient subgrouping for more effective prevention and treatment; a redesigned therapeutic paradigm; a mind-body renaissance emphasizing holism and quality of life; and an accentuated influence of ethics on oncology nursing practice arising from healthcare reform and new scientific understanding of the human gene.

CONCLUSIONS

Opportunities for nurses resulting from these changes include roles as genetic-risk analysts, health-education media designers, patient readiness evaluators, technology accessors, partners in a holistic care center, and treatment options advisors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses will need to respond to these challenges by expanding their knowledge base with respect to genetics and computer science, refining the interactive skills that are necessary to address the psychosocial aspects of cancer care, and assimilating new technology while designing strategies to minimize the dehumanizing consequences of technology dependency.