The prevalence of cancer is rising both in Canada and across the world, with approximately 35 million new cases predicted by 2050. Cancer immunotherapy is a form of treatment that harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells, increasing life expectancy beyond what traditional treatments offer. Immunotherapy may cause immune-related adverse events that differ from the toxicities of traditional treatments. While these events can be detrimental to health, it is critical that they are caught early. This perspective paper examines the evolving role of oncology nurses within the cancer care continuum in caring for patients receiving cancer immunotherapy, specifically immune checkpoint inhibitors. Oncology nurses provide care in many areas, specifically in educating patients on the early detection of side effects to prevent negative outcomes, assessing and monitoring patient symptoms through a variety of means, including nurse-led clinics, and providing support to patients undergoing therapy. This work helps identify gaps in the literature. Future research is required for advancing cancer immunotherapies and better detecting early signs of side effects for nurses practicing in different settings, ensuring timely care.

Summary: To examine ethnic differences in how individuals respond to obesity management therapies, a retrospective chart review of the Wharton Medical Weight Management Clinic electronic medical records was used (n = 21 709; 14 695 patients with weight loss data). South and East Asian, Middle Eastern and Other ethnicities had a significantly lower body mass index (BMI) at enrollment than White adults (39.7 vs. 35.4–38.7 kg/m²), with higher or similar BMIs in Indigenous and Black adults (39.9–42.2 kg/m²). Whites, East Asians and Other Ethnicities had the greatest weight loss (4.3–4.9 kg), while Blacks (3.3 kg), Latin (3.0 kg), Middle Eastern (2.7 kg), and South Asians (3.5 kg) lost significantly less weight as compared to Whites (4.9 kg) (p < .05). There were also weight loss differences between Black sub‐groups. African American females lost the least weight (1.4 kg), while West Indian Black females lost much more weight (4.3 kg, p = .01). African American males also lost the least amount of weight (0.9 kg), while African Black males lost the most (7.4 kg, p = 0.01). There are differences in the weight loss achieved during a clinical obesity management program between individuals of various ethnicities.

Introduction: The experience of persons with obesity (PwO) in the Canadian healthcare setting has not been widely studied. The objective of this study was to assess care in PwO in emergency departments in Ontario, Canada. Methods: This secondary analysis made use of 2018–2022 Canadian Institute for Health Information’s National Ambulatory Care Reporting System. The sample consisted of 4547 individuals with an obesity diagnosis, and 4547 controls who were matched for sex, age, and main diagnosis. Ordinal logistic and multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess triage scores, wait times, and length of stay. Results: PwO had 4.8 minutes longer wait time for a physician initial assessment (p<0.01), 3.56 hours longer length of stay in the emergency department (p<0.0001), and 55% greater odds (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.43–1.68) of having a less urgent triage score compared to controls matched for main diagnosis. When further matched for triage score, PwO experienced over three hours longer length of stay for triage level 2 (emergent, p<0.01), five hours longer for triage level 3 (urgent, p<0.01), and nearly two hours longer for triage level 4 (less urgent, p<0.05) cases. Conclusion: PwO were rated as less urgent and experienced longer wait times and length of stay, compared to controls matched by sex, age, and main diagnosis. Additional research is needed to confirm the consistency of these findings in other provinces/territories, and to examine clinical outcomes, and the underlying reasons for differences.

The 2S LGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and additional sexually and gender-diverse self-identities) population often faces barriers to care in the context of cervical cancer screening. With the shift from primary cervical cytology (Papanicolaou test) to primary human papillomavirus (HPV)-DNA testing, it is crucial to examine these populations’ healthcare needs. An intersectionality framework with an anti-oppressive lens is needed to restructure a healthcare system whose systems have traditionally erased the care needs of diverse populations through colonial, racialized, and cis-heteronormative practices. Barriers to cervical screening in 2S LGBTQIA+ populations include stigma, discrimination, limited provider guidance and understanding, and high rates of physical, sexual, and medical trauma. Self-sampling for HPV is a less invasive alternative to traditional Pap tests with a high rate of acceptability. The option to self-sample may increase participation in cervical screening based on improved privacy, comfort, and feelings of empowerment. Organizational, psychosocial, and physical recommendations for practice are shared to create a welcoming environment that reflects the diversity of populations in all aspects of healthcare. Affirmative care aims to make clients feel safe and accommodated by prioritizing dignity and respect as essential elements of eliminating cervical cancer in 2S LGBTQIA+ populations.