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Raise Awareness in July for Ultraviolet Safety and Skin Cancer Risk

With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to head outdoors and enjoy the sunny weather. But are you protecting yourself from potential risks? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has named July as Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month. The goal is to spread the word about how important it is to protect everyone’s skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. This presents a teaching opportunity for oncology nurses and their patients—not just during July but all year long.

Cancer Screening

Local Organizations Can Make a Big Difference in Cancer Care

I have the privilege of managing and being the sole provider in a unique program. I work in the Hereditary Cancer Program at Saint Louis University Cancer Center, where I provide risk assessment services and education about genetic testing to individuals and families in the region. It’s an amazing nursing role, and I can truly help people prevent cancer and manage their risk.

Encourage Malignant Melanoma Awareness in May

As Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, May is the perfect time to encourage people to examine their skin and seek medical assistance if they recognize signs of a melanoma. Early detection and prompt treatment is associated with a much higher survival rate for skin cancer diagnoses.

Genetics & Genomics

The Story of Henrietta Lacks Sheds Light on Ethical Considerations in Genetic Testing

Imagine a situation where a patient’s tumor cells were used for countless scientific experiments—without the patient’s informed consent. Safeguards are in place today to prevent such an ethical breach, but in 1951 Henrietta Lacks and her family weren’t as lucky. Author Rebecca Skloot shared Henrietta’s story in a 2010 nonfiction book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, that was adapted into a movie released on April 22, 2017.

Cancer Prevention

Physical Activity Benefits Patients and Nurses Throughout Life

My husband is a gerontologist. My oldest daughter is an RN working with acutely ill elderly patients at a busy academic medical center. They both know that living to 90 or 100 years old is becoming the norm. They’ll also tell you that the habits formed throughout a lifetime can make a big difference in the quality of life as one gets older.

Clinical Practice

Genetic Testing Is Important for Survivorship

Cancer survivorship is filled with many challenges, hopes, and expectations. June 5 marks National Survivorship Day, and survivorship is being celebrated throughout the month. Survivors are often not sure where they're going once their cancer journey commences. In my practice, I care for people with a genetic risk for cancer, and I work with survivors on a regular basis.

Cancer Prevention

Spread Awareness on Melanoma Monday

On one of the first warm spring days in St. Louis, I came home and found my active dog, Maggie, sound asleep and enjoying the warmth of the sun. Like many humans, she was taking pleasure in a beautiful day and found it relaxing. As the summer approaches, many will spend much more time outside. Despite the inviting nature of a warm day, there are still hidden dangers.

Nurse Well-Being

Embracing the Hidden Benefits of Walking

I have an energetic dog, Maggie. She’s a lab, German shepherd mix. She always sleeps much better when she has had a nice long walk in the neighborhood. I try to get her out most days, and I always go at least a mile—usually longer. She gets excited when she sees the leash, and we both reap the benefits of walking. It’s a great habit and something feels wrong when I miss a day.

Oncology Nurse Influence

Supporting Nurses With Disabilities

Recently, my middle daughter and I submitted a Letter to the Editor that was published in the professional nursing journal Nurse Educator. It was in response to a paper in the journal that emphasized the need for professional nursing to embrace and implement means for nurses with disabilities to contribute to excellent patient care.

April 07, 2016

Celebrate Patient Safety Week

March 13-19, 2016 marks Safety Awareness Week. It encourages both patients and healthcare professionals to take a role in promoting patient safety. This is an appropriate message, because it takes everyone working together to make care as safe as possible for patients, families, and the healthcare professionals who provide this care.

March 13, 2016

Cancer Risk Prevention

Addressing Myths About Family History and Cancer Risk

Urban legends. Myths. Sometimes you should not believe everything you hear or read. The more emotionally charged the issue, often the bigger the myth. In my practice of providing cancer risk assessment and genetics education and counseling, patients often thank me at the end of the session and tell me they are going to explore the information more extensively at home on the internet.

Oncology Nurse Influence

My Unexpected Journey to Oncology Nursing

I never anticipated that I would be an oncology nurse. In fact, I’m not exactly sure what led me to the path of nursing. My paternal grandmother was a nurse and worked for a few short years before she married. She lived to see me graduate from Saint Louis University in 1983 and take my first job on an oncology floor. I am not sure how much influence she carried. I do know that she was always proud that she had become a nurse.

Clinical Practice

Understanding How Portion Control Keeps You Healthy

I was recently at a lovely event with a buffet. The food was spectacular and there were many choices for eaters of all palates. What struck me was the large size of the plates provided. It felt like they were encouraging diners to take larger portions or to load up on many different foods. There’s no doubt that many adults and children have no idea what a reasonable portion looks like or even what constitutes a serving. In all honesty, the size of the plate matters more than you think.

February 10, 2016

Clinical Practice

Nurses Don't Take Snow Days

People will discuss the enormous amount of snow that fell on the East Coast during January 2016 for some time to come. It was predicted, and the snowfall lived up to the hype. My daughters have lived with healthcare professionals their entire lives, and they know that healthcare providers do not get a day off just because the weather is bad. There are no snow days. Patients are still sick. Many people do not stop to think about the sacrifices and extra time it takes healthcare providers to get to work during inclement weather. Just prior to the big snow, there had been a smaller one in St.

February 01, 2016

Genetics & Genomics

Sometimes Waiting Is the Best Decision

Last fall, I was walking with my dog at our cabin in the Ozarks of Missouri. I had my camera. I came to a clear area, and, on a dead tree, I spotted a large bird and then another. For some reason, Maggie, our energetic Lab mix, was quiet. I watched the birds from a distance and took a series of photos. Then, without warning, all of these birds started to fly away.

January 23, 2016

Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Make the News Again

There are numerous activities to promote breast cancer awareness. My youngest daughter, Elaine, is a nursing student who also swims for the Saint Louis University Billikens. During October, the entire team, men and women donned pink caps and shirts instead of their typical bright blue to promote awareness about breast cancer. The team was unified on this one, and I have no doubt it made people stop and think. Anything that makes people think about the early detection of breast cancer is a good thing.

January 17, 2016

Cancer Risk Factors

A Healthy Lifestyle Prevents Cancers

The importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet to maintain a healthy weight should not be underestimated. Healthy habits often need to be fostered. They need to be automatic and practiced consistently. The earlier they are developed, the bigger the benefits.

September 02, 2014

Patient Education

Top 10 Reasons Why Sunglasses Are More Than Just a Fashion Accessory

Darker lenses do not necessarily provide more protection from harmful ultraviolet rays—consumers need to check the label to be sure the pair blocks 99%–100% of both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation or say “UV absorption up to 400 nm."

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To discuss the information in this article with other oncology nurses, visit the ONS Communities.

To report a content error, inaccuracy, or typo, email pubONSVoice@ons.org.

Suzanne M. Mahon DNS, RN, AOCN®, AGN-BC, FAAN

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