By: Heather Roebuck, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP
I had the pleasure of collaborating with Beth Rayner, a well-known illustrator, and Barb Shumer, a national literacy expert and librarian to help educate others about melanoma, a cancer reaching epidemic proportions worldwide. Currently there are more new cases of skin cancer than breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancer combined! The unique interdisciplinary images were helpful in teaching providers the concept of macro and micro level skin evaluations as well as the ABCDE and now F pneumonic for detection of suspicious lesions. Professor Nevus (fancy name for a mole) made his first appearance during the Dermatology @ Dawn experience and remained a fun educational reference throughout the Skintimate Connections promotion of learning activity. Once attendees gained a basic understanding of how morphology is utilized to determine appropriate diagnoses they worked together during the interactive session examining live models with the various dermatologic conditions discussed.
Pensacola attendees were surprised to learn that 1 in 5 people will develop a skin cancer at some point in their lives. Healthy People 2020 suggests that all providers take on examining patients skin for potential skin cancers as part of their normal evaluations as 98% of skin cancers are curable when detected early. Certainly a motivating reason to learn more about prevention and detection of skin cancers!
Fun Fact: A shot glass (1 oz) of sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure.
For more information, join us at one of the future conferences and visit these additional
Resources:
· Learn more about sun safety tips, Sunwise program, skin cancer in your state at: www.epa.gov/sunsafety
· Find free skin cancer screenings at www.aad.org/public/spot-skin-cancer/programs/screenings
· Skin Cancer Foundation ask the expert visuals at: http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information
· Don’t Fry Day-SunAWARE educational handout at: http://www.dnanurse.org/patients/dont-fry-day.html