Site-Specific Cancer Series: Gastrointestinal Cancer

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Preface

Advances in molecular biology, oncology, genetics, and surgical techniques have greatly increased the therapeutic options available to patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers and people who are at risk. Research findings on chemoprevention and the role of nutrition in prevention of cancer are equally exciting. However, significant disparities exist in cancer care, despite increasing attention to the issue over recent years. This book was written for the nurse caring for patients with GI cancer, for excellent nursing care is the constant in guiding patients through their illness. The emphasis in every chapter is on what the nurse needs to know to impact the prevention, treatment, and management of GI cancers. As treatments improve and patients are cured or live longer between therapies, survivorship issues have become increasingly important for the nurse to understand. The reader should become involved in research and education to reduce the health disparities that exist in this country and to increase the public's awareness of effective preventive strategies against GI cancer. If nurses engage in dialogue with oncology colleagues and public healthcare professionals, real outcomes can be achieved in reducing death rates from many of these preventable cancers.