N
URSING
R
OLES IN
C
ANCER
P
REVENTION
P
OSITION
S
TATEMENTS
L
OIS
L
OESCHER
“P
REVENTION saves the labor of being sick.”
These words from the 17th century physi-
cian, Thomas Adams, succinctly underscore the
importance of prevention in health care. Prevent-
ing cancer obviously saves the labor of physical
compromise from the disease. Preventing cancer
also saves the labor of mending social, economic,
cultural, and emotional upheaval engendered by a
cancer diagnosis.
The prevention position statements reprinted in
this issue of Seminars in Oncology Nursing nicely
elaborate on these characteristics of prevention.
The statements primarily emanate from two ma-
jor oncology nursing organizations: the Oncology
Nursing Society (ONS) and International Society
for Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC), thereby pro-
viding a voice for oncology nurses worldwide. The
target topics of these statements either are unique
(eg, ONS statements on “The Role of the Oncology
Nurse in Cancer Genetic Counseling” [Appendix
A]; “Prevention and Early Detection of Cancer in
United States” [Appendix B]) or reflect similar
(but more holistically oriented) views of other
professional organizations (eg, ISNCC statement
on “Cervical Cancer Screening” [Appendix C] and
ONS statement on “Mammography Screening for
Breast Cancer in the United States” [Appendix
D]). The statements consider primary, secondary,
or tertiary prevention of cancer.
What makes these four position statements use-
ful for oncology nursing? Careful scrutiny of the
statements shows several strong themes concern-
ing cancer prevention (listed in Table 1). One can
consider these themes when choosing to use the
statements as frameworks for clinical practice,
administration, research, and education. What
merits further deliberation is the absence of some
of these themes among the position statements. At
the very least, each position statement should
describe its particular prevention focus within the
context of cancer as a continuum. Similarly, each
position statement should articulate the preven-
tion focus as it pertains to all components of
oncology nursing (practice, administration, edu-
cation, research).
Some shortcomings of the position statements
need to be taken into account before endorsing or
using them as a framework. First, in striving for
excellence, the statements may be somewhat
overambitious and overstated. For example,
nurses cannot possibly promote cancer screening
to all women. The goals of the statements, there-
fore, should be realistic. Second, the rapid evolu-
tion of prevention technology and discoveries may
quickly date the statement and dilute its impact.
For example the “Cervical Cancer Screening”
From University of Arizona College of Nursing and College
of Medicine, Tucson, AZ.
Lois Loescher, PhD, RN: Assistant Professor, College of
Nursing, Research Assistant Professor, College of Medicine,
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Address correspondence to Lois Loescher, PhD, RN, College
of Nursing, University of Arizona, PO Box 210203, Tucson, AZ
85721-0203.
© 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
0749-2081/04/2002-0005$30.00/0
doi:10.1053/j.soncn.2004.02.005
111
Seminars in Oncology Nursing, Vol 20, No 2 (May), 2004: pp 111-120