Lois J. Loescher, PhD, RN

Associate Professor, College of Nursing

Associate Professor, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health

E-Mail Address: 
loescher@nursing.arizona.edu
Phone Number: 
(520) 626-6169
Short Bio: 

After receiving my Bachelor's degree at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, I moved to Tucson and worked at the Arizona Health Sciences Center while receiving my Master's degree in nursing at the University of Arizona. I worked and conducted my research at the Arizona Cancer Center for many years, during which time I completed my PhD degree at the University of Arizona. I am a founding member of the Skin Cancer Institute at the Arizona Cancer Center and serve on the executive board. I have been an oncology nurse for many years and am a long-standing member of the Oncology Nursing Society and the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Currently, I conduct behavioral science research at the University of Arizona Cancer Center and Medical Center, primarily in the area of skin cancer. I also conduct international skin cancer research in Queensland, Australia.

Clinical Information
Clinical Focus: 

Using technology as an intervention to educate high risk groups on skin cancer detection and prevention.

Using technology as an intervention to educate healthcare providers about skin cancer detection

Clinical Practice Sites: 
The University of Arizona Cancer Center - North Campus
The University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus
Research Information
Research Program: 
4. Cancer Prevention and Control
Member Status: 
Member
Year of Membership Acceptance: 
1985
Institution: 
The University of Arizona
College: 
College of Nursing
Summary of Research Activity: 

My research focuses on two broad areas. The first is risk factors, risk communication and risk communication as they pertain to persons at high risk of cancer and other diseases. For example, I study cognitive and emotional factors, such as risk perception, cancer worry, self-efficacy, and beliefs as they relate to risk reducing behaviors in persons at high risk of skin cancer, such as melanoma survivors and solid organ transplant recipients.  I also am involved in studies of risk perception in the context of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in vulnerable populations. The second broad area is using and evaluating technology to improvie skin cancer early detection in healthcare providers, particularly primary care providers, and consumers. Currently I am a co-investigator in two studies using a smartphone-dermoscopy device to improve skin cancer detection and self-efficacy. My research is theory-based and mixed-methods research.

Selected Publications: 
 (Last 5 years only)
 
Hsiao, C-P, Loescher, L.J., & Moore, I.M. (2007). Symptoms and symptom distress in localized prostate cancer. Cancer Nursing, 30(6), E19-E32.
 
Loescher, L.J., Lim, K.H., Leitner, O., Ray, J., D’Souza, J. & Armstrong, C. (2009). Cancer surveillance behaviors in women presenting for clinical BRCA testing. Oncology Nursing Forum, 36 (2), E1-E11.
 
Loescher, L.J., Crist, J., Cranmer, L.C., Curiel-Lewandrowski, C. & Warneke, J. (2009). Melanoma high-risk families’ perceived healthcare provider risk communication. Journal of Cancer Education, 24(4): 301-307. (PMID: 19838889).
 
Loescher, L.J., Crist, J., & Siaki, L. (2009). Perceived intra-family melanoma risk communication. Cancer Nursing, 32(3), 1-8.
 
Marble, N., Loescher, L.J., Lim, K.H., Hiscox, H. (2010). Use of technology for educating melanoma patients. Journal of Cancer Education, 25(3): 445. DOI: 10.1007/s13187-010-0072-3
 
Loescher, L.J., Hibler, E., Hiscox, H., Quale, L., & Harris, R. (2010). An internet-delivered video intervention for skin self-examination by melanoma patients. Archives of Dermatology, 146: 922-923.
 
Loescher, L.J., Hibler, E., Hiscox, H., Hla, H. & Harris, R. (2010). Challenges of using the Internet for behavioral research.Computers, Informatics, Nursing, DOI 10.1097/NCN.0b013e3181fc4153
 
Curiel-Lewandrowski, C. Speetzen, L.S., Cranmer, L., Warneke, J.A., & Loescher, L.J. (2011). Multiple primary cutaneous melanomas in Li-Fraumeni Syndrome.Archives of Dermatology, 147, 248-50.
 
Siaki, L. A. & Loescher, L.J. (2011) Pacific Islanders’perceived risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 22, 191-200. DOI 10.1177/1043659610395763
 
Garcia, S.Q., Greco, K., & Loescher, L.J. (2011). Teaching strategies to incorporate genomics education in academic nursing curricula. Journal of Nursing Education. DOI: 10.3928/01484834-20110715-04
 
Loescher, L.J., Harris, J.M., Curiel-Lewandrowski, C. (2011). A systematic review of advanced practice nurses’ skin cancer assessment barriers, skin lesion recognition skills, and skin cancer training activities. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 23, 667–673.
 
Siaki, L., Loescher, L.J., & Ritter, R. (2011). A cultural perspective of Samoans' perceived risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0b013e31822b9be3.
 
Siaki, L., Loescher, L.J. & Trego, L.L. (2012, in press). Synthesis strategy: Building a culturally sensitive midrange model of risk perception. Journal of Advanced Nursing.
  
Janda, M. Loescher, L.J. & Soyer, H.P. (2012, in press). Enhanced skin self-examination - a novel approach to skin cancer monitoring and follow-up. Archives of Dermatology.
 
Loescher, L.J., Hansen, C., Quale, L., Hepworth, J. (2012, in press). Delivering skin cancer prevention and detection information to solid organ transplant recipients. Transplantation Proceedings.
 
Collaborative Research: 

My collaborators at the University of Arizona are investigators at the Skin Cancer Institute at the Arizona Cancer Center and at two universities in Queensland, Australia.

Professional Information
Professional Affiliations: 
 (Memberships for past 5 years)
 
1980‑present   Member, Oncology Nursing Society (National)
 
1994-present   Member, American Nurses Association
 
1994-present   Member, Arizona Nurses Association
 
2002-present: Member, American Society of Preventive Oncology
 
2002-present   Member, Society of Behavioral Medicine
 
2005-present   Member, Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science
 
2012-present   Member, American Academy of Nursing
 
Honors: 

2007:  Sigma Theta Tau International, Journal of Nursing Scholarship, award for Best of Genomics to Practice article

2009:  American Academy of Dermatology, Gold Triangle Award for the video, Skin Cancer: Learn to Spot it Early©, developed as an intervention for the 2008 Laurence B. Emmons Research Award.
 
2005-08: Visiting fellow, cancer genetic risk communication, for steering group for “Children, Young People and their Families' Communication of Genetic Risk.” Funded by the Department of Health, UK (Sponsor, Alison Metcalfe, Ph.D., University of Birmingham (England) School of Health Sciences)
 
2012:  Oncology Nursing Society Excellence in Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Award.
 
2012:  Selected as Fellow, American Academy of Nursing
 
2012:  Visiting scholar, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

 

Academic Information
Fellowship: 
The Arizona Cancer Center R25 Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Prevention and Control
Doctorate: 
The University of Arizona
Master's Degree: 
The University of Arizona
Undergraduate School: 
University of Wisconsin