MELANOMA: COPING STRATEGIES

Course overview

As early diagnosis and improved treatment regimens decrease mortality rates among patients with melanoma, healthy strategies for coping with lifelong fear of recurrence and other disease-related distress become increasingly important. The term coping strategy generally refers to attitudes and behaviors adopted by patients with melanoma in an effort to deal with the challenge of living with a life-threatening disease. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of relevant research on melanoma coping strategies, including evidence-based information on coping strategies associated with positive psychological adjustment and risk factors for poor psychological adjustment to aid in caring for the patient with melanoma. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.