Nursing & Healthcare

Biography

Biography: Jennifer C Cash

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 fi nished, when patient’s must go back to their lives and start dealing with the sequalae of post treatment eff ects, the opportunity to continue this support lies within the fi eld of Medical Aesthetics. It is well known that post treatment eff ects from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be signifi cant, causing physical changes in body image, decreased or loss of self esteem and coping abilities. Th e use of neurotoxins, dermal fi llers and a variety of lasers (i.e., light based, Iridex, ablative Profractional) can improve patient’s lives by minimizing and or erasing the eff ects of these therapies. Neurotoxins are commonly used for a number of conditions that include facial asymmetry aft er surgery and for recurrent migraines secondary to muscle pain and or chronic medication use. Dermal fi llers 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 soft en 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.