The Professional Home for Oncology Nurses

On April 8, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved nivolumab (Opdivo^®) with ipilimumab (Yervoy®) for adult and pediatric patients aged 12 and older with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC). The FDA also converted the accelerated approval to regular approval for single-agent nivolumab for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with MSI-H or dMMR metastatic CRC that has progressed following treatment fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan.

As many as 30% of prostate cancer survivors have severe behavioral symptom burden, particularly sleep disturbance, fatigue, and cognitive impairment, according to study findings published in the Oncology Nursing Forum. Notably, the symptoms occur as a cluster, rather than in isolation, adding to the body of evidence about the interplay of side effects during cancer treatment.

When oncology nurses bring their expertise to resource-limited regions across the world, they also broaden their own understanding of patient care, according to three ONS members who recently participated in international programs. The nurses returned from their journeys with insights and inspiration for expanding awareness of cancer care and nursing roles outside the United States.

April has special significance for oncology nurses and ONS. For ONS, it is the month we come together at our annual ONS Congress^®. For the United States, it is National Cancer Control Month or National Cancer Awareness Month, a designation first declared by President Roosevelt in 1943. Every April since, the sitting U.S. president has renewed that proclamation to increase public awareness of cancer prevention and early detection. As oncology nurses, we are well-positioned to use our voices to educate, influence, and inspire others to lead a healthy life. 

From TheHill.com: U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-TN) reintroduced a bill seeking to reform prior authorization requirements in Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Part D prescription drug plans requiring only specialty board certified physicians to make important decisions about treatment. The prior authorization measure is used by insurers to approve the cost of treatment plans, medication, and procedures before a prescription or operation can be obtained or performed.

How much do you know about vaccination for diseases like measles in patients with cancer? Test your knowledge with this quick quiz.