Nurses and cancer....

OhioCCRN, MSN, NP · Jul 29, 2011

geezer farts aside (lol) Maybe its the stress as well....

Zaphod, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2011

More likely the ammount of carcinogens and chemicals in the hospital

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

:smackingf

Little_Mouse · Jul 30, 2011

More likely the ammount of carcinogens and chemicals in the hospital

I think that's a good point. I've seen people (e.g. nurses, CNAs, etc.) use chemical wipes without using gloves, even though, if you read the box closely, it says to use gloves since the chemicals used in the wipes can be carcinogenic.

Also, as someone mentioned stress, and I think that includes lack of sleep. My Gyne stated that there have been studies showing that there could be a correlation to working 2nd/3rd shift (or night shift) and breast cancer. It was kind weird how it was brought up-- when I mentioned my mom has breast cancer, she asked if she worked 2nd shift and I said "yes" and that's when she told me. My mom isn't a nurse, but she is a lab technitian. She, along with 3 or 4 other female co workers (one works AM shift, the others nights) have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I think that's a lot in just one department.

allnurses Guide · Jul 30, 2011

:smackingf

yeah. sigh.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

yeah. sigh.

thank you

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

It's OK to find funny things about people with cancer- CA doesn't suck out all of the humor cells !!! It's not a funny (or fun) disease, but gotta make some lemonade !!! :smokin:

wooh, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

Lost a dear wonderful nurse a few years back to cancer. I have to say, until the very end, she NEVER lost her sense of humor about it. She had recurrent colon cancer, and her stories of going to the doctor and "bending over" for him, even when she didn't wear her "fancy panties" were hilarious.

But yeah, there's something in the hospital air...

leslie :-D · Jul 30, 2011

But yeah, there's something in the hospital air...

latex. :twocents:

leslie

AlsgalRN · Jul 30, 2011

I think you are right about the need to keep a sense of humor! My surgeon thinks I am a hoot and she tells this story to other breast cancer patients. Before surgery, my breasts were "the girls". During surgery, she injected purple dye into the breast to aid in finding the sentinal node. For several months after the surgery, the breast remained a shade of purple. So, the part of that breast that remains was named "Violet", her partner who was still pink was named "Rosie". Four years later, they are still Rosie and Violet.

At the time that I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my husband was diagnosed with ALS. I do not know what would have happened to us if we did not have the ability to laugh. My husband has the most amazing sense of humor. That is one of the things that I think I will miss most about him when he dies.

My hubby used to kiss my bald scalp to encourage hair growth and my coworkers rubbed the bald noggin for good luck. No, cancer is not funny in itself but some of the things about it ARE funny. Laugh when you can! :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

I have also heard about the connection between working third shift and getting breast cancer. I worked nights for more than 15 years.

Please stay current on your mammograms!

AlsGalRN

onetiredmomma · Jul 30, 2011

A wonderful,caring nurse friend who has been an onc nurse for over 20 years had a brain tumor removed last fall. Back in the begining onc nurses didn't have "chemo gloves" and precautions there are now....makes one pause....She also has a good (somewhat warped!!) sense of humor and is thriving in her treatment now.