Alternative and complementary therapy use in pediatric oncology patients is common. Factors have been identified that may be associated with undertaking their use.
Although there have been major advances in the treatment of childhood cancer with an overall survival rate of more than 70%, cancer continues to be the leading cause of death in children resulting from disease. In 1998, 2,500 children in the United States died of cancer-related causes. Each year cancer kills more children than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome combined. The Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses (APON) is the leading professional organization for nurses caring for children and adolescents with cancer and their families. The highest standards of nursing practice are achieved through education, research, certification, advocacy, and affiliation. It is the position of APON that pain in the child dying of cancer can be effectively managed. This can be accomplished by making the prevention and alleviation of pain a primary goal, partnering with the patient and parents, and aggressively using appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. The pediatric oncology nurse has an essential role in the child's pain management at the end of life through nursing assessment, identifying expected outcomes, and performing and evaluating interventions.
The annual conference of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses, entitled Caring: The Foundation of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, was held October 12-14, 1988, in Denver, Colorado. Our thanks to Jory Goldmann, the National Program Chairperson, and Mary Jo Cleaveland, the Local Program Chairperson, and her committee for their hospitality and a very informative meeting. The following are abstracts of some of the clinical, education, and research presentations from this meeting.
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