Nurses’ understanding of skin cancer, sun protective behaviors and their ability and comfort level in teaching and screening patients

Faculty Department

School of Nursing

Short Biography

My dissertation research was on the prevention of skin cancer. I conducted a quasi-experimental study with college students using a skin analyzer machine to reveal sun damage and study the effects and knowledge of the students.

Since that time, I have conducted several studies. Most of my work can be found here. https://molloy.elsevierpure.com/en/persons/victoria-siegel

I volunteer with the Mollie Biggane Melanoma Foundation and am on their advisory board.

Through my skin cancer work, I developed a skin cancer questionnaire to be used by nurses when educating and evaluating the skin of their patients. Eight LI hospitals have adopted this document on their EHR and therefore, approximately 250,000 patients are educated about skin cancer yearly.

I also established Molloy as a skin-safe campus- https://skincancerprevention.org/get-involved/skin-smart-campus/#:~:text=Grand%20Valley%20State%20University%2C%20honored,Press%20ReleaseLinks to an external site.

Other work I have done at Molloy-

Free Skin Cancer Screenings at Molloy College

Sunscreen dispensers on Molloy’s campus

Skin Cancer Micro-credential- badge

Presentation Type

Powerpoint

Location

H239

Start Date

26-2-2025 10:45 AM

End Date

26-2-2025 11:05 AM

Description (Abstract)

Abstract

Background:

Health promotion and patient advocacy are part of nursing practice. Nurses are in an ideal position to educate and assess patients for skin cancer. Skin cancer has reached epidemic proportions and is the only cancer increasing in frequency.

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to explore nurses’ understanding of skin cancer, sun protective behaviors and their ability and comfort level in teaching and screening patients.

Methods:

This survey study was designed to evaluate nurses’ understanding of skin cancer, sun protective behaviors and their ability and comfort level in teaching and screening patients. Participants were nurses in practice for at least one year and remained members of the National Student Nurses’ Association.

Results:

This study revealed large gaps in basic knowledge of skin cancer and a small percentage of nurses who were knowledgeable and felt comfortable in teaching and examining patients for skin cancers.

Keywords

skin cancer, nurses, education, health promotion

Related Pillar(s)

Community, Service, Study

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Feb 26th, 10:45 AM Feb 26th, 11:05 AM

Nurses’ understanding of skin cancer, sun protective behaviors and their ability and comfort level in teaching and screening patients

H239

Abstract

Background:

Health promotion and patient advocacy are part of nursing practice. Nurses are in an ideal position to educate and assess patients for skin cancer. Skin cancer has reached epidemic proportions and is the only cancer increasing in frequency.

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to explore nurses’ understanding of skin cancer, sun protective behaviors and their ability and comfort level in teaching and screening patients.

Methods:

This survey study was designed to evaluate nurses’ understanding of skin cancer, sun protective behaviors and their ability and comfort level in teaching and screening patients. Participants were nurses in practice for at least one year and remained members of the National Student Nurses’ Association.

Results:

This study revealed large gaps in basic knowledge of skin cancer and a small percentage of nurses who were knowledgeable and felt comfortable in teaching and examining patients for skin cancers.