The nurses’ role in the use of medical aesthetics to enhance patient satisfaction with post treatment oncology survivorship

4^th International Conference on Nursing & Healthcare

October 05-07, 2015 San Francisco, USA

Jennifer C Cash

Skin Savvy, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

The role of the nurse is multifaceted with the care of oncology patients that includes emotional, psychological and physical support throughout the course of a patient�s diagnosis and treatment. However, once treatment is finished, when patient�s must go back to their lives and start dealing with the sequalae of post treatment effects, the opportunity to continue this support lies within the field of Medical Aesthetics. It is well known that post treatment effects from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be significant, causing physical changes in body image, decreased or loss of self esteem and coping abilities. The use of neurotoxins, dermal fillers and a variety of lasers (i.e., light based, Iridex, ablative Profractional) can improve patient�s lives by minimizing and or erasing the effects of these therapies. Neurotoxins are commonly used for a number of conditions that include facial asymmetry after surgery and for recurrent migraines secondary to muscle pain and or chronic medication use. Dermal fillers replace the loss of volume and fat in the face that is a visible reminder of the weight loss from the disease and treatment as well as surgical defects. Light based therapies (IPL and Broad Band Light) decrease red and brown pigment around scars and surgical sites. Broken blood vessels surrounding implanted intravenous ports that have been removed are well treated with lasers such as Iridex (Varilite). Ablative Profractional lasers (Sciton) address deeper surgical defects and soften the signs of treatment related stress and fatigue. Nurses play an integral role in helping patients� plan for their future beyond their diagnosis and treatment. Medical aesthetic treatments can and should be advocated as a treatment option for patients� having completed their formal therapies as another tool for assisting the patients� in their path of survivorship.

Biography :

Jennifer C Cash has completed her Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing studies at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She has over 25 years experience in Medical/Surgical and Radiation Oncology with numerous publications and speaker engagements. She is currently employed at Skin Savvy, Rx, an ARNP owned Medical Aesthetics facility in South Tampa.

Email: brachyrn@aol.com