In 1998, the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University assembled a group of nurses and other oncology experts together for an inaugural oncology nursing conference. Every year since, this successful conference has highlighted emerging topics to oncology nurses from around the Midwest. This year’s 13th Annual Oncology Nursing Conference will be held on Friday, December 3, 2010 at Northwestern University’s Prentice Women’s Hospital.
Oncology nurses act in diverse capacities for cancer patients as educators, navigators, and subject experts. As such, these oncology professionals must continually stay on top of advances in patient care. Megan Mitchell, manager of education programs at the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center states that the Oncology Nursing Conference will, “focus on topics that affect patient care and treatment experiences, including the new health care reform act, cancer-related fatigue issues, and managing anemia during cancer treatment.” Additionally, this year’s conference will provide oncology nurses with information on therapies for specific cancers, as well as information on FDA-approved prostate cancer immunotherapy.
The conference will also include a session on fertility with speakers from the Oncofertility Consortium. According to Mitchell, “The panel will provide attendees with unique insights into the decisions and questions that cancer patients encounter when faced with a cancer diagnosis.” Teresa Woodruff, PhD will provide an overview of existing and emerging fertility preservation options for cancer patients. Laurie Zoloth, PhD will discuss some of the complex ethical issues in oncofertility for patients and providers. A third panelist in the session will discuss her personal experiences undergoing oncofertility treatments.
More than 200 nurses are currently registered for the daylong conference, which will provide continuing medical education credits to attendees. While registration for this popular meeting is still open, it is close to reaching capacity so register today!