Oncology Pharmacists Are Crucial in Skin Cancer Management
Source: Drug Topics, April 2023
From explaining how medications work and should be taken to reviewing potential adverse effects and financial details, pharmacists are crucial resources for patients undergoing treatment for skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most diagnosed malignancy in the United States today, with the American Academy of Dermatology estimating that 20% of Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and approximately 9500 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.1 Pharmacists play a vital role in educating patients on how to protect the skin from the sun, which limits risk factors of skin cancer, according to the California Pharmacists Association.
“Counseling patients about safe sun exposure enhances pharmacists’ professional satisfaction,” a spokesperson for the association said. “To provide effective patient education, pharmacists [must] keep abreast of new product developments and understand the detrimental effects of sun exposure.”