New perspectives in the nursing role in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy

Introduction: Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and the radiotherapy is one of the types of cancer treatment. It is calculated that more than half of all people with cancer will undergoing radiotherapy as at least part of their cancer treatment. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was the description of role of nurse in radiation oncology. Method: Literature review of the relevant articles in the databases pubmed and scopus was conducted, but also were used articles of international professional nursing organizations Results: The radiation oncology nursing role is multidimensional and is focused in patient assessment, patient and family education, support and counselling, physical care of patient and in the research. The patient’s care is mainly focused in the conducting of suitable nursing interventions that will alleviate the patient from the side effects of radiotherapy. Conclusions: The nurses should be known the technologies that are used in the radiotherapy so that they are enable to educate their patients and provide qualitative nursing care. Changes in the health care environment and changes in treatment and technology continue to drive cancer care. So nurses should collaborate and communicate with other members of interdisciplinary team and incorporate evidence into practice