BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI: Oncology nurses have been urged to step up the war against cancer with innovation and expand the current programmes to overcome the growing cancer burden in India.

Experts at the First National Nursing Conference 'Nursicon 2019' organized by the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Center (RGCIRC)-Delhi have said that nursing has experienced a shift that acknowledged the importance of professionalism in cancer treatment and patient care.

“As chemotherapy and radiation therapy evolved as treatment modalities, nurses looked for opportunities to contribute to new innovation in cancer treatment,” Lt Colonel (Retd) Madhumita Dhall, Chief of Nursing in RGCIRC, said.

"Over the years, the practice of oncology nursing has attained the role of direct caregiver, educator, consultant, administrator, and researcher. Oncology nursing extends to all healthcare delivery settings from prevention, screening, treatment to palliation," she added.

Various challenges related to oncology nursing were discussed at the conference. The theme of the seminar was Excellence in Oncology Nursing, Enriching Life: A Comprehensive Approach.