SKIN CANCER & YOU WEBINAR SERIES

The Skin Cancer & You Webinar Series provides information you need to know–about prevention, surgery, therapies, and living with skin cancer. So stay tuned for upcoming events and check out archived content. Take advantage of the opportunity to ask about the skin cancer topics that matter to YOU!

 

Getting the Best from Immunotherapy: Solve the Scenarios

Welcome to the final installment of the 2023 Skin Cancer & You webinar series. In this episode, Getting the Best from Immunotherapy: Solve the Scenarios, Krista Rubin, MS, FNP-BC, of Massachusetts General Hospital, interviews Kathy Madden, MSN, FNP-BC, OCNP®, APHN, nurse practitioner at the NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, regarding strategies for success in the management of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). To start, Ms Rubin and Ms Madden talk about the importance of the initial educational discussion in setting the patient up for success. They then move on to specific scenarios in which the patient and/or caregiver can make a difference by reporting any changes in how the patient feels as early as possible. Such early reporting enables the recognition of irAEs when they are most easily managed. Finally, they provide final take-home points based on their years of experience walking with patients on their immunotherapy journeys.

 

Initial Education About Immunotherapy: Set up for Success

 

Solving the Scenarios: The Value of Early Reporting to the Oncology Care Team

 

Final Thoughts: Take-Home Points About the Immunotherapy Journey

 

Preventing Skin Cancer: What Strategies Are Right for You?

Preventing Skin Cancer: What Strategies Are Right For You is part of the Skin Cancer & You Webinar series. In this webinar, Krista Rubin, MS, FNP-BC, of Massachusetts General Hospital, interviews Dr Soo Park, medical oncologist at UC San Diego School of Medicine, regarding overall as well as individualized strategies to prevent skin cancer. These experts discuss strategies for individuals who have never had a skin cancer (primary prevention) and for those who have already had a skin cancer (secondary prevention). They review sun protective strategies (including sunscreens) as well as data on nutritional and pharmaceutical strategies for special high-risk groups. The webinar features prevention tips for people of color and organ transplant patients in addition to those with a history of skin cancer.

Early Detection of Skin Cancer: Performing the Self-Examination

In this second installment of the Early Detection of Skin Cancer Series, Krista Rubin, MS, FNP-BC, of Massachusetts General Hospital, interviews Dr Susan Boiko, of University of California San Diego, about performing the skin self-examination. Using practical language and an adorable prop, Dr Boiko explains the steps of the self-examination, what to specifically look for, and how to advocate for yourself if you find something of concern. Unique to this webinar is a discussion of skin examinations in children and strategies to get your skin checked if you have limited resources or access to a dermatologist.

This webinar features images of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell skin cancer, actinic keratoses, Merkel cell carcinoma, and melanoma from our extended image bank.  Find our image bank here.

Here is a link to Federally Qualified Health Centers as discussed by Dr Boiko for patients who have financial constraints or access issues.

This content is educational in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Our goal is to help you become more comfortable examining your own skin and advocating for yourself. The images and examples used in these videos are not comprehensive. If you identify a spot that is concerning to you, you should make an appointment to show it to an appropriate healthcare provider for evaluation.

 

How To Perform A Comprehensive Skin Self-Examination

 

What to Look for in a Skin Exam

 

Practical Tips for Advocating for Yourself or a Loved One

Early Detection of Skin Cancer: Empowering Yourself to Make A Difference

Early Detection of Skin Cancer is a two-part component of the Skin Cancer & You Webinar series. In this first installment, Krista Rubin, MS, FNP-BC, of Massachusetts General Hospital, interviews Dr Silvina Pugliese, MD, of Stanford University School of Medicine, about overall strategies for early detection of skin cancer. This webinar will help increase your awareness of the types of skin cancer; assess your risk factors; empower you to detect skin cancer early; and use pictures to help you recognize spots that are concerning.

This webinar features images of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell skin cancer, actinic keratoses, Merkel cell carcinoma, and melanoma from our extended image bank.  Find our image bank here.

This content is educational in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Our goal is to help you become more comfortable examining your own skin and advocating for yourself. The images and examples used in these videos are not comprehensive. If you identify a spot that is concerning to you, you should make an appointment to show it to an appropriate healthcare provider for evaluation.

Bruce’s Story: Caregiving for a Loved One With Squamous Cell Skin Cancer

In this video, Bruce Cassidy shares his experience as a caregiver for his father, a patient with metastatic squamous cell skin cancer that was successfully treated with immunotherapy. He provides some insight into the continuum of care and his perspective on a range of issues as a caregiver.

 

Introduction: Bruce’s Story

 

Sun Exposure and History

 

Diagnosis

 

Getting a Referral

 

Making the Decision

 

Importance of Advocacy

 

Experience With Immunotherapy

 

Becoming an Advocate

 

Establishing Caregiver Roles

 

Overcoming Misconceptions

 

Advocate as Researcher

 

Role of Caregiver

 

Self-Care

 

Anxiety/Distress

 

Community

 

Unmet Needs for Resources

 

Side Effects of Immunotherapy: What You Need to Know

Archived Q/A

Originally Recorded Tuesday, May 24, 2022

In the third episode of our Skin Cancer & You Webinar Series, oncology nurse and patient-education expert Jill Weberding answers patient questions regarding the immune-related side effects of immunotherapy. This was a live, virtual event.

 

Prerecorded Primer

In this prerecorded content, Ms Weberding provides an overview of how immunotherapy works differently from other cancer therapies. She explains what you need to know in order to recognize side effects, seek help, and take care of yourself so you can stay on therapy and achieve the best possible health outcomes. Ms Weberding provides specific instruction on what you need to know about lung/breathing problems, diarrhea or stomach problems, and skin problems.

Resources on Immune-related Side Effects

These resources, developed in collaboration with Ms Weberding, provide a guide on what you need to know for specific immune-related side effects associated with checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Click on each side-effect below to download a guide on that side effect.

Webinar Faculty

Jill Weberding, MPH, BSN, RN, OCN®

Jill Weberding, MPH, BSN, RN, OCN®, has worked as a oncology nurse for nearly 20 years in community hospitals and community cancer centers. During her nursing career, Jill has worked as a staff nurse on an oncology floor, outpatient infusion nurse, clinical research nurse, clinical trials department manager, nurse and patient educator, and a speaker. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, as well as her Master of Public Health, at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Jill’s work with immuno-oncology agents spans more than a decade.

In 2011, she was invited to join the Visionary Immunotherapy Cancer Educators (VOICE) Speakers Bureau with Bristol-Myers Squibb to assist in educating healthcare professionals across the country on the nuances of immune checkpoint inhibitors. In addition to working as an oncology nurse consultant, speaking, and educating nurses and patients, Jill also abstracts oncology data with a company that is building a software platform to connect cancer centers across the country to improve treatment and accelerate research.

Jacki’s Story: Living With Multiple Skin Cancers

Learn from someone who has been there. Watch this video interview of Jacki Jones, who shares her experience with multiple basal cell carcinomas and a squamous cell skin cancer. Jacki touches on topics of diagnosis, finding the right doctor, self-advocacy, post-surgical follow-up, prevention, and more in these videos from the Skin Cancer and You webinar series.

 

Introduction

 

Skin Cancer Discovered and Diagnosed

 

Family History of Skin Cancer

 

Self-Advocacy for Biopsy

 

Post Surgery Follow-up

 

Self-Exam Skin Check

 

Advice for Younger Self

 

Raising Awareness of the Seriousness of Skin Cancer

 

Community Support for Skin Cancer

 

Survivor Statement

 

Want to learn more about surgery for skin cancer? Learn the basics from an expert Mohs surgeon.

Basics of Surgery for Skin Cancer
Archived from a December 7th, 2021 webinar

In this 45-minute session, Geoffrey Lim, MD, Mohs surgeon, goes over the basics of skin cancer surgery and then answers your questions live. He covers topics such as:

  • Mohs surgery vs traditional surgical excision
  • What to expect from Mohs surgery
  • Reconstructive surgery—what is it?
  • Grafts, flaps, and secondary intention healing—making sense of it all
  • Safety of dermatologic surgery in the elderly
  • Expectations after surgery
    • Going back to work
    • Scar care and expectations
  • How to speed healing

Webinar Faculty

Geoffrey Lim, MD

OPTUM Dermatology
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Dr  Lim is a fellowship trained Mohs surgeon in private practice at Optum Dermatology in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and SkinMed Institute in Lone Tree, Colorado.. His expertise is in the management of basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell skin cancers, as well as early invasive melanomas and other high-risk skin cancers. Dr Lim graduated summa cum laude in the top 1% of his class at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennyslvania. Dr Lim subsequently attended Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, where he graduated with both peer- and faculty-elected honors. He was selected as Intern of the Year during his preliminary medicine internship at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York, NY, before completing his dermatology residency at the University of Pittsburgh, where he served as Chief Resident and received the John McSorley, MD, Award for Excellence in Dermatology and best overall achievement in patient care and research. During his fellowship training in Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Dermatologic Oncology, and Facial Reconstructive Surgery, Dr Lim was mentored by Dr John A. Zitelli and Dr David G. Brodland, widely regarded as two of the premier Mohs surgeons in the world. Dr Lim not only provides skillful and compassionate care to his patients, he is involved with advocacy work at the local, state, and national levels.