Resilience in cancer care : What should nurses do?

Cancer is a serious threat to human health worldwide. Attention to the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients is increasingly recognized as an important component of and a fundamental task in cancer care. Recent studies illustrate that resilience is a key biological factor affecting cancer patients’ health status and QoL. However, few studies have focused on resilience during medical procedures of cancer patients from the perspective of nursing. In this study, we summarize recent literature exploring the clinical significance of resilience in oncology nursing, propose strategies for cancer care to improve the QoL of patients through interventions on resilience, and focus on emerging theories in oncology nursing. In summary, this will emphasize the importance of resilience in oncology nursing and benefit the clinical practices that improve patients’ QoL and reduce the social burden caused by cancer.