Stand Up To Cancer Releases Training Modules for Immuno-Oncology Nurses Administering New Cancer Therapies

BOSTON, May 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) today announced the release of a series of Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) training modules developed by experts from Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing. The CNE modules equip nurses with the skills and knowledge needed to manage the unique challenges and patient symptoms that accompany administration of emerging immunotherapies to treat cancer.

"SU2C is at the forefront of immuno-oncology research, and nurses are an essential part of making these cutting-edge therapies effective and safe for patients," stated SU2C President and CEO Sung Poblete, PhD, RN. "We are proud to provide complimentary, online continuing education for nurses to help them better understand this rapidly expanding field."

The program aims to provide nurses with the best training possible to help care for patients as they undergo new and innovative cancer treatment therapies. The program consists of three SU2C-Boston College Immunotherapy CNE modules to address the specific challenges of providing care for cancer patients receiving immunotherapy, including education on immunology and related pathophysiology, symptom management, and nursing interventions to reduce symptom distress and promote wellness.

These modules meet CNE standards and each module provides 3.5 - 5 contact hours from the Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing. The curriculum includes:

• Module I: Cancer and Immunotherapy – equips nurses with the skills and knowledge needed to care for cancer patients and presents an overview of cancer and immunotherapy.
  
  
• Module II: Immunotherapies: Nursing Strategies – provides nurses with the skills and knowledge needed to care for cancer patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy and addresses patient's response to immunotherapy interventions, nursing strategies used to manage symptoms, and assessment approaches.
  
  
• Module III: Case Study: Patient on Immunotherapy – presents a case report of an individual undergoing cancer immunotherapy and enables participants to integrate lessons from previous modules to implement a management plan for an immunotherapy patient.

The modules are available now and eligible participants can register for the program by visiting www.su2c.org/nurseCNE.

"The Connell School of Nursing is proud to partner with Stand Up to Cancer to offer this suite of complimentary online continuing education courses. Boston College promotes life-long learning and we are committed to equipping nurses throughout their career with the skills necessary to treat all patients with the utmost care. We are excited by the great enthusiasm for the oncology immunotherapy courses since their launch in January and look forward to their continued growth and success," stated Dean of the William F. Connell School of Nursing, Susan Gennaro, RN PhD.

Cancer immunotherapy harnesses the body's own immune system to attack cancers, and represents a new frontier in cancer research and treatment. Immunotherapy drugs are promising new options in treating some of the most challenging cancers including bladder, brain, breast, cervical, colorectal, head and neck, kidney, pancreatic, prostate and stomach cancers, and lymphomas. As these therapies continue to develop, support from well trained nurses is necessary to continue to push the research forward.

"Immunotherapies are quickly becoming an important part of oncology care for many patients, but these therapies can be complex requiring additional patient support to help ensure appropriate use, and oncology nurses are often on the front lines of care for patients undergoing immunotherapies," said Alan Lotvin, MD, Executive Vice President of CVS Specialty, the specialty pharmacy of CVS Health. "We're pleased to help support the SU2C-Boston College Immunotherapy CNE courses, which will help provide oncology nurses with practical information and tools to help them better support and care for their oncology patients."

SU2C's investment in patient and professional education is made possible by the donations of generous individual and corporate collaborators, including CVS Health, whose specialty pharmacy provides services for patients requiring treatment for rare and complex conditions, such as cancer. Development of these CNE modules expands the collaboration between CVS Health and SU2C, which also includes a multi-year commitment by CVS Health to support the SU2C research and awareness portfolio. Since 2014, CVS Health has donated more than $15 million to help SU2C's cancer research efforts.

About Stand Up To Cancer
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. SU2C, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was established in 2008 by film and media leaders who utilize the industry's resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, and to increase awareness about cancer prevention as well as progress being made in the fight against the disease. As SU2C's scientific partner, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and a Scientific Advisory Committee led by Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, PhD, conduct rigorous, competitive review processes to identify the best research proposals to recommend for funding, oversee grants administration, and provide expert review of research progress.

Current members of the SU2C Council of Founders and Advisors (CFA) include Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Lisa Paulsen, Rusty Robertson, Sue Schwartz, Pamela Oas Williams, Ellen Ziffren, and Kathleen Lobb. The late Laura Ziskin and the late Noreen Fraser are also co-founders. Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, has served as SU2C's president since 2011.

For more information on Stand Up To Cancer, visit www.standup2cancer.org.

About Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing
Boston College's William F. Connell School of Nursing has educated nurse leaders in the Jesuit tradition since 1947. The school provides comprehensive education in the art and science of nursing to prepare professionals for compassionate and ethical practice. Approximately 675 students enroll undergraduate, master's and PhD programs; with advanced practice specialties offered in anesthesia, adult/gero, pediatrics, psych/mental health, women's health and family practice. The school is comprised of 53 full-time faculty members, and 26 staff members.

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

SOURCE Stand Up To Cancer

Related Links

http://www.standup2cancer.org/