Authors

  1. Sisk, Daryn
  2. Berent, Georgine EdD, RNC, ACRN

Article Content

INTRODUCTION

The objective for the development of this poster was to educate communities located in rural Tennessee about skin cancer. The poster provides information about the rate, incidence, risk factors, prevention and recognition of skin cancer to enhance knowledge about the harmful effects of the sun.

 

METHODS

Information on skin cancer was extracted from a wide variety of resources. A modified content analysis strategy was used to analyze the collected data. Content themes were identified.

 

RESULTS

Major educational themes elicited from the resources were included on the poster. Themes were worded for understanding at the sixth grade reading level to ensure all participants could understand the content.

 

CONCLUSION

As a BS nursing student, teaching the public about skin cancer was a challenge. However, the support of an interdisciplinary healthcare team provided the infrastructure necessary to engage in educating the public about skin cancer.

 

NURSING IMPLICATIONS

Collaboration across nursing specialties is needed to alert populations on prevention interventions for skin cancer. Nurses specialized in dermatology can lead the way involving the school systems and public/community health departments. An increased use of multidisciplinary approaches to understanding and educating our communities will enhance the best practices within nursing and within the focus of dermatology.

 

REFERENCES

 

American Cancer Society, Inc. (2008). Retrieved September 2, 2008, from http://www.cancer.org/

 

Coomer, S. (2005). Malignant melanomas[horizontal ellipsis]a cause for concern. Practice Nurse, 29(4), 47-48. Retrieved September 2, 2008, from CINAHL database.

 

Edwards, M. (2007). Sun awareness and prevention of skin cancer. Primary Health Care, 17(6), 21-24. Retrieved August 28, 2008, from CINAHL database.

 

Jemel, A., Siegel, R., Ward, E., Hao, Y., Xu, J., Murray, T., et al. (2008). Cancer statistics, 2008. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 58(2), 71-96.

 

Jemel, A., Siegel, R., Ward, E., Murray, T., Xu, J., & Thun, M. J. (2007). Cancer statistics, 2007. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 57(1), 43-66.

 

Land, V., & Small, L. (2008). The evidence on how to best treat sunburn in children: A common treatment dilemma. Pediatric Nursing, 34(4), 343-348. Retrieved October 16, 2008, from CINAHL database.

 

Masso, M. (2006). Policy and practice for preventing skin cancer in children. Public Health Nursing, 23(4), 361-365. Retrieved September 2, 2008, from CINAHL database.

 

State of Tennessee. (n.d.). Total cancer cases and age-adjusted cancer incidence rates. Retrieved September 2, 2008, from http://health.state.tn.us/TCR/Reports/county/maury.pdf

 

State of Tennessee. (n.d.). Skin cancer. Retrieved September 2, 2008, from http://health.state.tn.us/

 

Tennessee Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition. (2005). Tennessee comprehensive cancer control plan for 2005-2008 [Brochure]. Nashville, TN: Author.

 

The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center. (2008). Cancer support groups. Retrieved September 2, 2008, from http://www.sarahcannon.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID=775BDBF2-639A-4951

 

Wiggs, W. P. (2007). Playing it safe in the sun: Primary prevention of skin cancer for sun-exposed athletes. Dermatology Nursing, 19(6), 555-560. Retrieved August 28, 2008, from CINAHL database.

 

Winterbottom, A., & Harcourt, D. (2004). Patients' experience of the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 48(3), 226-233. Retrieved August 28, 2008, from CINAHL database.