 Define and describe nanotechnology in cancer treatment  List and describe nanotechnology in cancer treatment hardware and software  Identify, describe and review nanotechnology in cancer treatment information system  Describe advantages/disadvantages of using nanotechnology in cancer treatment  Examine legal and ethical issues related to the use of nanotechnology in cancer treatment  Describe technology-related competencies needed by the professional nurse working with nanotechnology in cancer treatment  Describe functions of the informatic nurse working with nanotechnology in cancer treatment

(National Institutes of Health, 2004).

(National Cancer Institute, 2009)

Animated Nanowire Sensor g/nanotech_nanowires.asp

 Faster Diagnosis by specifically indentifying pre- cancerous or cancerous calls  Protect drugs from being degraded in the body before reaching their target  Enhances absorption of drugs into tumors and into cancerous cells themselves  Allows for better control over timing and distribution of drugs to tissue  Achieve greater tumor reduction with lower doses of the drug  Prevent drugs from interacting with normal cells, thus avoiding side effects (Rados, 2005)

 Issues include the potential to create a human race that is engineered and altered to become hyper— intelligent and super strong  issues include the idea that the scientific technology would only be available to those who can afford it (Introduction to Nanotechnology, 2009)  The process of manufacturing the nanomaterials results in the release of certain waste products which enter the plants and air  Some carbon nanotubes can prove as harmful as asbestos inhaled in fair quantities; sometimes causing mesothelioma (Introduction to Nanotechnology, 2009)

 By applying nanotechnology to medicine we have the use of precisely engineered materials to develop novel therapies and devices that may reduce toxicity and enhance the efficacy and delivery of treatments.  Application of nanotechnology to cancer can lead to many advances in the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer  By gaining access to so many areas of the body, they can potentially detect diseases and deliver treatments in ways unimagined before now.  Nanotechnology can provide rapid and sensitive detection of cancer- related molecules, enabling scientists to detect molecular changes that occur in a small percentage of cells.  Nanotechnology also has the potential to generate unique and highly effective theraputic agents  Nanotechnology offers the means to aim therapies directly and selectively at cancerous cells (National Institutes of Health, 2004)

BBC News (2005, August 2). Nanotechnology kills cancer cells. Retrieved December 3, 2009, from General Nanotechnology (2009). Smartfocus: Software for programmed acquisition of microscope images. Retrieved November 16, 2009, from Introduction to Nanotechnology (2009, June 15). The Potential disadvantages of nanotechnology. Retrieved December 3, 2009, from nanotechnology/. McGonigle, D. & Mastrian, K. (2009). Nursing Informatics and the foundation of knowledge. Boston: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. National Cancer Institute (2009). Understanding Nanotechnology, nanowires. Retrieved November 16, 2009, from

National Institutes of Health. (2004). Cancer nanotechnology: Going small for big advances-using nanotechnology to advance cancer diagnosis, prevention and treatment. National Cancer Institute: Bethesda, MD. Retrieved October 24, 2009, from Online Consultant Software (2007). Clinical Information Systems (CIS) Directory. Retrieved November 30, 2009, from Rados, C. (2005). Nanotechnology: The size of things to come. FDA Consumer, Retrieved November 9, 2009, from CINHAL database.