Melanoma Awareness Month

Picture: Elry Janolino (dermatology CNS), Majella Moran (Immunology CNS) Ursula McManus (Malignant Melanoma CNS), Nicholas Stefanovic (Dermatology Registrar) and Megan Clarke (LaRochePosay Medical Rep).

Please tell us about yourself and your role and why you choose to work in skin cancer services?

My name is Ursula McManus and I am the Malignant Melanoma Clinical Nurse Specialist in St James’s Hospital. I previously worked on busy surgical wards providing care for surgical patients with skin cancers. I moved to this role September 2022. The role enables me to follow a patient pathway from the day of assessment through to diagnosis and treatment while engaging with them on a regular basis.

What are some of the challenges you face in this role?

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic like many other services there has been delays to waiting lists for surgical procedures. Many patients avoided attending their doctor and hospital appointments it is challenging at times to work through waiting lists for patients to be seen in a timely manner.

There has been an 45% increase in diagnosed Melanoma cases in SJH in 2022, this increase has put pressure on time spent with patients. When patients attend for clinic many patients are worried about the procedures or the fear of a cancer diagnosis. As a malignant melanoma nurse it is my role to provide reassurance, education and make them feel less anxious as they go through their cancer journey. I support and encourage patients through their decisions and provide as much care as possible.

What are some of the successes you’ve seen in this role?

The development of a melanoma diagnosis and surveillance form on EPR. Each patient following a confirmed melanoma diagnosis at the skin cancer multidisciplinary meeting has an EPR melanoma form commenced. The development of these EPR forms allow for reports to be generated from Business Intelligence software. A surveillance dashboard, populated from data inputted on the EPR melanoma form, aids the Melanoma CNS and Medical Teams to monitor the number of patients on the pathway requiring scans, procedures such as sentinel lymph node biopsy and wide local excision to complete clinical staging in a timely manner.

What is the best advice you can give people for Melanoma Awareness month?

My advice would be no matter what age you are enjoy the sun safely. Always remember your skin can be damaged by harmful rays even when the sun is not shining. Follow the 5 S’s of the SunSmart code:

• Slip on sun-protective clothing that covers as much of your body exposed to the sun as possible
• Slop on sunscreen with a factor 30+ and good UV protection at least 20 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply every two hours when outdoors or more often if perspiring or swimming.
• Slap on a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck, and ears
• Seek shade.
• Slide on sunglasses.