No abstract

Previous researchers have found high mortality and incidence rates for pancreatic cancer in the Acadiana region of southern Louisiana. While lifestyle practices such as pork and alcohol consumption and a familial trend have been linked to pancreatic cancer, cigarette smoking is the only established risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Therefore, a retrospective, descriptive study was conducted to explore lifestyle risk factors and the familial trend in pancreatic cancer. The Familial Pancreatic Cancer Questionnaire (FPCQ) was used to collect data on demographics, tobacco and alcohol use, dietary history, and medical history. A surrogate respondent (family member) for 31 pancreatic cancer subjects completed the FPCQ. Race and gender specific incidence rates (IR) for pancreatic cancer in Acadiana were calculated. Results showed that mean IRs for pancreatic cancer for Caucasian and African-American males and females were higher than national SEER rates. Pancreatic cancer and lung cancer were the most frequently reported cancers among subjects' first degree relatives. The majority (65%) of the subjects smoked. A positive family history for pancreatic cancer was found in this study with five (16%) of the pancreatic cancer subjects having one or more first degree relatives with pancreatic cancer. This percent is twice that found by previous researchers.

The current and projected increase in newly diagnosed cancer patients and survivors supports the nation's need to prepare a nursing workforce that is skilled to meet the health care needs of these individuals. It is likely that cancer patients, especially survivors, will receive care from nurses without specialized oncology education who work in various nononcology clinical settings. Because of the lacking practice standards and educational guidelines for nurses who care for cancer survivors in nononcology settings, this article describes findings of a national survey that identified the importance and depth of cancer-care content included in accredited prelicensure registered nurse programs (diploma, associate and baccalaureate degrees). Findings revealed that a gap exists between respondents' reported importance and depth of cancer-care content currently taught and that importance rated consistently higher than depth taught. Lack of time was the most frequently cited barrier. Results will be used to design generalist oncology resources for nurse educators.