Article

Familiarity and Perceptions of Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Testing and Targeted Therapy: A Survey of Oncology Nurses in the United States

Jaime Weimer

Houtan Bozorghadad

Keith Schoonover

Christine Carll

Kirstin Repco

oncology nursing, ovarian neoplasms, biomarkers, PARP inhibitors
ONF 2023, 50(4), 437-448. DOI: 10.1188/23.ONF.437-448

Objectives: To assess oncology nurses’ awareness of biomarker testing and targeted therapy for ovarian cancer.

Sample & Setting: 100 oncology nurses completed an online survey in June 2022.

Methods & Variables: A cross-sectional survey was used to examine nurses’ understanding of ovarian cancer testing and treatments, assess barriers, and identify opportunities for further education.

Results: Almost all respondents believed biomarker testing and targeted therapy were very/extremely important in diagnosing and supporting treatment of patients with ovarian cancer. Nurses were very/extremely familiar with cancer antigen 125 and germline testing, but fewer reported the same familiarity with somatic testing. Most nurses were familiar with targeted therapy for ovarian cancer, but only about half were very/extremely familiar with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Less than half felt highly knowledgeable about PARP inhibitors.

Implications for Nursing: It is important that oncology nurses understand biomarker testing and targeted therapy. There is an opportunity to provide resources to nurses to help them become more comfortable with PARP inhibitors in particular.

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