About Collaborative Connections Podcast | Conversations on Cancer Care for Oncology Massage Therapists & Estheticians
The Collaborative Connections podcast explores the intersection between massage therapy and cancer care. Whether you're a massage therapist, specializing in cancer care or an oncology massage educator, this podcast is for you.
To learn more about the Society for Oncology Massage, visit S4OM.org.
Ep. 23 - Scar Revision After Skin Cancer Surgery with Allyson O'Brien.mp3
Recommended Episodes
Ep. 21 - Skin Cancer Awareness for Estheticians with Morag Currin (https://www.s4om.org/education/ongoing-educational-opportunities/collaborative-connections-podcast/episode-21-skin-cancer-awareness-for-estheticians-early-detection-melanoma-risk-client-education-with-morag-currin/)
Ep. 22 - Skin Cancer in the Cockpit with Scott White: A survivor's firsthand experience with Mohs surgery, healing, and recovery. (https://www.s4om.org/education/ongoing-educational-opportunities/collaborative-connections-podcast/episode-22-skin-cancer-in-the-cockpit-a-pilots-story-of-uv-risk-diagnosis-and-recovery-with-scott-white/)
Summit Series Episode - Scars, Fibrosis, and Rethinking "Fixing" with Cathy Ryan ([URL]): A manual therapy perspective on scar tissue and fibrosis. (https://youtu.be/ElZo10a2fXA)
In this episode of Collaborative Connections, host Ericka Clinton speaks with Allyson O'Brien, a clinical esthetician with more than 20 years of experience, board-certified nutritionist, and educator with Oncology Training International. This episode is part of the podcast's skin cancer awareness series, and it focuses on what happens after the skin cancer is removed. Allyson specializes in scar revision following skin cancer surgery, including Mohs procedures, and shares how she first discovered oncology aesthetics, what the first conversation with a new client looks like, and why building trust and explaining the process in plain language is central to her work.
Allyson walks through her approach step by step: supporting the skin with gentle, moisture-focused and antioxidant-rich care once stitches are removed, introducing gentle peels around the four to six week mark, and adding microneedling when appropriate, typically two to three months after surgery or later depending on the client and the surgeon's guidance. She discusses contraindications for microneedling, the importance of scanning the skin and referring clients back to their medical team when something looks concerning, and staying within scope of practice. The episode closes with a conversation about raising awareness of oncology aesthetics within hospitals and cancer centers, and what Allyson wants every person living with a new scar to know about healing.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
Scar revision after skin cancer surgery and Mohs procedures
How peels and microneedling support post-surgical scar tissue
Realistic healing timelines and when to begin treatment
Contraindications and safety considerations for microneedling
Communicating with clients and coordinating with surgeons and oncology teams
Building awareness and referral pathways for oncology aesthetics
View Extended shownotes here (https://www.s4om.org/education/ongoing-educational-opportunities/collaborative-connections-podcast/episode-23-scar-revision-after-skin-cancer-surgery-with-allyson-obrien)
To learn more about the Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) visit http://www.s4om.org (http://www.s4om.org/)
Follow S4OM on your favorite social media platforms!
Facebook: Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) | Auburn ME (facebook.com) (https://www.facebook.com/s4om.org/)
Instagram: Society for Oncology Massage (@s4om_org) • Instagram photos and videos (https://www.instagram.com/s4om_org/)
Twitter: S4OM_Org (@s4om_org) / Twitter (https://twitter.com/s4om_org)
LinkedIn: Society for Oncology Massage | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/society-for-oncology-massage-8148271b9/)
29 Jul 2026
Ep. 22 - Skin Cancer in the Cockpit: A Pilot's Story of UV Risk, Diagnosis, and Recovery with Scott White
In this episode of Collaborative Connections, host Ericka Clinton speaks with Scott White, a 61-year-old airline pilot with 38 years of flying experience and a skin cancer survivor. This is the first episode in the podcast's skin cancer awareness series, and Scott's story offers a unique and often overlooked perspective on UV exposure risk. Having spent 28 of his 38 flying years in the right seat of the aircraft, Scott began connecting the dots when pre-cancerous areas and diagnosed cancers appeared almost exclusively on the right side of his body. He shares what pilots were told about cockpit window protection, why that turned out to be incorrect, and how a new generation of pilots is beginning to take sun safety seriously.
Scott also opens up about his diagnoses, including basal cell carcinoma on his right arm, squamous cell carcinoma requiring two Mohs procedures on his right cheek totaling more than 60 stitches, and a squamous cell carcinoma discovered in the white of his right eye. He discusses the psychological weight of treatment, the fear of losing his FAA medical certificate and his career, and what the healing process actually looked like compared to what he was told to expect. The episode closes with Scott's advice to fellow pilots and a candid conversation about how his wife, an esthetician, has shaped both his awareness and his daily skin care habits.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
Occupational UV exposure risk for airline pilots
How seat position in the cockpit correlates with skin cancer location on the body
The myth that cockpit windows provide UV protection
Changing sun safety habits among a new generation of pilots
Cosmic radiation at altitude and emerging cancer concerns for flight crews
Overview of Scott's skin cancer diagnoses and treatment timeline
Discovery of squamous cell carcinoma in the white of the eye
Mohs surgery experience on the face and arm
The psychological toll of skin cancer treatment
Fear of losing FAA medical certification and career
The FAA's evolving position on pilot sun protection
Why skin cancer deserves to be taken as seriously as other cancers
Recovery, body image, and healing from facial surgery
Lifelong monitoring, interferon eye drops, and ongoing FAA compliance
Gaps in pre-procedure education and healing expectations
Post-diagnosis skin care and the value of regular dermatology follow-up
The role of an esthetician spouse in awareness and referral habits
Advice for pilots who have not yet addressed skin cancer risk
View extended shownotes here (https://www.s4om.org/education/ongoing-educational-opportunities/collaborative-connections-podcast/episode-22-skin-cancer-in-the-cockpit-a-pilots-story-of-uv-risk-diagnosis-and-recovery-with-scott-white/?preview_id=11961&preview_nonce=fcf46d711d&_thumbnail_id=11861&preview=true)
To learn more about the Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) visit http://www.s4om.org (http://www.s4om.org/)
Follow S4OM on your favorite social media platforms!
Facebook: Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) | Auburn ME (facebook.com) (https://www.facebook.com/s4om.org/)
Instagram: Society for Oncology Massage (@s4om_org) • Instagram photos and videos (https://www.instagram.com/s4om_org/)
Twitter: S4OM_Org (@s4om_org) / Twitter (https://twitter.com/s4om_org)
LinkedIn: Society for Oncology Massage | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/society-for-oncology-massage-8148271b9/)
21 Jun 2026
Ep. 21 - Skin Cancer Awareness for Estheticians, Early Detection, Melanoma Risk & Client Education with Morag Currin
In this episode of Collaborative Connections, host Erica Clinton speaks with Morag Currin, oncology aesthetician, educator, and S4OM board member, about the role estheticians play in early skin cancer detection. With more than 30 years in practice and as the founder of The Soul Silo, Morag has pioneered oncology aesthetics education since 2007. She discusses why estheticians are often positioned to notice changes in the skin before a dermatologist ever sees a client, how to identify benign versus suspicious lesions, and the importance of consistent client communication and documentation.
The conversation also covers melanoma risk factors including FAMMM syndrome and mole count, the impact of certain cancer treatment drugs on skin pigmentation, lesser known sources of UV exposure, and the unique considerations for detecting skin cancer in clients with darker skin tones. Morag closes with a candid discussion on fair compensation for oncology aesthetics services and what she wants every new esthetician to understand about preparing to serve clients navigating skin cancer.
Topics Discussed here:
Why skin cancer awareness belongs in the esthetician's scope of practice
Recognizing and documenting suspicious lesions over time
Common gaps in foundational skin cancer education for estheticians
Sunscreen myths, reapplication, and the vitamin D conversion balance
FAMMM syndrome and mole count as melanoma risk indicators
Skin pigmentation changes related to immunotherapy and targeted melanoma drugs
Immunosuppression and increased skin cancer risk
Lesser known UV exposure sources, including gel manicure lamps and tanning beds
Lifestyle and occupational sun exposure history
Mole mapping, intake forms, and referral practices
Detecting skin cancer in clients with darker skin tones
Skincare approach for clients in active cancer treatment
Advocacy for fair compensation in oncology aesthetics
View extended shownotes here (https://www.s4om.org/nkc4)
To learn more about the Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) visit http://www.s4om.org (http://www.s4om.org/)
Follow S4OM on your favorite social media platforms!
Facebook: Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) | Auburn ME (facebook.com) (https://www.facebook.com/s4om.org/)
Instagram: Society for Oncology Massage (@s4om_org) • Instagram photos and videos (https://www.instagram.com/s4om_org/)
Twitter: S4OM_Org (@s4om_org) / Twitter (https://twitter.com/s4om_org)
LinkedIn: Society for Oncology Massage | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/society-for-oncology-massage-8148271b9/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
13,119
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 45 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
36
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
60
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