Course Description
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., costing more than $8 billion each year to treat. Today, early detection and innovative treatments are curing cancer and helping people with cancer live longer; however, cancer, cancer therapies, and end-of-life changes can affect skin health and compromise skin integrity. Nurses must understand these changes to provide proactive, compassionate skincare that supports comfort and dignity across oncology, palliative, and hospice settings.
In this course, learners will examine key principles of cancer care, prevalent treatment‑related skin complications, and physiological alterations impacting skin integrity. In addition, the course presents evidence-based approaches for assessment and intervention to support informed, patient‑centered care.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the learner will be able to:
- Describe the foundational concepts of cancer and the scope of curative, palliative, and hospice care.
- Identify common skin changes and treatment-related side effects associated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and cancer progression.
- Recall evidence-based interventions to prevent and manage skin complications in patients receiving cancer treatment or end-of-life care.
Intended Audience
This educational activity was developed for nurses.
CE Information
This course is approved for 1.0 contact hours by the Florida and California State Boards of Nursing.
Course Authors
This course was developed by Joanne M. Labiak MSN, CRNP, CWOCN, CWS and Brenda Kozak, DNP, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE.
Joanne is a nurse practitioner with over 35 years of clinical experience in wound, ostomy, and continence care across acute care, outpatient, and skilled nursing settings. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing and previously served as director of wound management services for a large university health system.
Brenda is a certified nurse educator with over 25 years of clinical experience. She earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice and a Master of Science in Nursing focusing on education.