Genetics

From prevention and identification of risk status to the development and use of targeted therapies, genetics is changing the face of oncology care. ONS provides a number of resources to learn more about genetics (the study of individual genes) and genomics (the study of all genes in the human genome).

ONS has published several positions related to the special issues associated with genetics.

• The Role of the Oncology Nurse in Cancer Genetic Counseling outlines the Society’s vision for the role of nursing and the challenges and opportunities that this area of science offers. ONS advocates for the ongoing education and training of oncology nurses in this field.
• Direct-to-Consumer Marketing of Genetic and Genomic Tests calls for education, evidence-based resources, nursing competency, cultural sensitivity, and legal and ethical standards related genetics testing. The position also advocates for ongoing research in this field.
• Cancer Predisposition Genetic Testing and Risk Assessment Counseling further supports the role of genetics counseling at the advanced practice level, protection against genetics discrimination, and standardization in testing and monitoring.

The Cancer Genetics Special Interest Group provides opportunities to network with other nurses interested in genetics and genomics and to contribute to the collective knowledge on this exciting and quickly changing field.

Select Related Publications, Education, and Additional Resources to the left to access ONS resources as well as those of leading cancer sites.