Celebrity make-up artist and cancer survivor Jan Ping has partnered with Amgen and ONSEdge, a subsidiary of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), for an educational campaign titled “Coping with Cancer From the Outside In.”
The campaign is focused on educating oncology nurses about skin-related side effects associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, used to treat several kinds of cancer. The initiative launched April 30 at the annual ONS Congress in San Antonio, Texas, according to a company statement.
EGFR inhibitor therapy causes skin rash in up to 90% of patients, ranging from mild to potentially life-threatening skin rash. Additionally, the therapy can affect nails and cause skin cracking and hair disorders, sometimes exacting an emotional toll on patients. The Coping with Cancer campaign hopes to educate nurses about these side effects, and provide tips for patients to help them look their best during treatment, the statement said.
Amgen provided funding for a Nursing Handbook (here, in pdf), and markets Vectibix, an EGFR inhibitor. Jan Ping is an Emmy Award-winning make-up artist diagnosed with breast cancer and has dealt with physical appearance changes as a result. “I’m excited to be taking part in an important program that provides nurses with everyday tips they can teach patients to boost confidence during a difficult time,” said Ping in the release.
Other local training seminars are scheduled for New York City, Los Angeles and Miami during the second half of this year, according to the ONSEdge website: www.onsedge.com.
