Rajni Kannan, BS, MS, RN, ANP-BC, from Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Medical Center, discusses some risk factors for melanoma that may not be widely known.

In addition to sun exposure, there are several other factors that contribute to risk of developing melanoma. Kannan says people who have lighter skin; red or lighter hair; and blue, hazel or green eyes are at increased risk.

Kannan says people who leave a cold location for vacation and do not properly protect themselves from the sun may also be at increased risk.

Articles

Rajni Kannan, BS, MS, RN, ANP-BC, discusses some risk factors for melanoma that may not be widely known.

Rajni Kannan on Risk Factors for Melanoma

Rajni Kannan, BS, MS, RN, ANP-BC, from Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Medical Center, discusses skin cancer prevention.

Many teenagers need to be educated about skin cancer prevention, Kannan says, and need to understand the dangers of tanning beds, which are just as carcinogenic as cigarettes — if not more so.

Kannan says she’s trying to drive home the point that “pale is pretty” and that teenagers also need to be aware of the importance of sunscreen.

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Rajni Kannan discusses the role of nurses in skin cancer prevention education.

Rajni Kannan on the Nurse's Role in Skin Cancer Prevention Outreach

Rajni Kannan, BS, MS, RN, ANP-BC, Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone, gives an overview of immune related adverse events (IRAEs).

Kannan says the adverse events seen in patients taking immunotherapy agents are classified differently than other adverse events. These new immunotherapy agents are activating T cells that not only go after the cancer, but also to work on the healthy tissues.

The most common side effects seen with immunotherapies are diarrhea and rash but patients may also experience pseudo hepatitis, endocrinopathies, and eye toxicities.

Rajni Kannan Discusses Immune Related Adverse Events

Rajni Kannan, BS, MS, RN, ANP-BC, Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone, explains the importance of discussing clinical trials with cancer patients in order to clear up any misconceptions.

Kannan says it is important for nurses to realize that the majority of cancer patients have done their research about clinical trials and available therapies. However, nurses should research what their patients know and what they think they know so that misconceptions can be clarified.

Many cancer patients fail to understand that the majority of clinical trials are not placebo-based, Kannan says.

Rajni Kannan on Discussing Clinical Trials with Cancer Patients

Rajni Kannan, BS, MS, RN, ANP-BC, Nurse Practitioner, NYU Cancer Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, discusses the importance of educating patients with metastatic melanoma on the side effects associated with the immunotherapy ipilimumab (Yervoy) and the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib (Zelboraf).

Kannan states that patient education is essential for the proper management of the side effects associated with ipilimumab and vemurafenib. In order to be able to intervene early and provide proper symptom management, patients must know which side effects need to be reported.

Kannan notes that very few patients get the severe side effects associated with ipilimumab; however, if these adverse events do occur, early intervention is the best chance to avoid discontinuing or pausing treatment. Additionally, with vemurafenib, proper education on sunscreen and liver changes will affect how side effects are reported, which ultimately affects how effectively they are managed.

Rajni Kannan discusses the importance patient education or managing the side effects associated ipilimumab and vemurafenib in metastatic melanoma. 

Rajni Kannan, BS, MS, RN, ANP-BC

Articles

Rajni Kannan on Risk Factors for Melanoma

Rajni Kannan on the Nurse's Role in Skin Cancer Prevention Outreach

Rajni Kannan Discusses Immune Related Adverse Events

Rajni Kannan on Discussing Clinical Trials with Cancer Patients

Rajni Kannan on the Side Effects of Yervoy and Zelboraf