• Dear ISNCC Members, Global Citizens, and Regional/International Partners,

Annual Review 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we are pleased to share this summary of our achievements on behalf of the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC). This year has been pivotal in turning our Strategic Plan 2022–2025 into action, strengthening nursing’s impact on cancer control. We deeply appreciate the support of our volunteers on the committees, member organizations, global citizens, and partners worldwide.

Strategic Direction 1: Strengthening the Global Cancer Nursing Workforce

With over 20 million nurses and midwives worldwide, ISNCC has prioritized leadership development and workforce capacity-building to reduce the global cancer burden. In 2025, our outreach across Oceania, Asia, and Africa supported more than 240 cancer nurses from 20 countries.

Highlights include:

• Leadership workshops co-hosted with Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) and Asian Oncology Nursing Society (AONS) at major international and regional conferences in Adelaide, Australia, and Manila, Philippines.
• Completion of the first African Oncology Nursing Leadership Program funded by Amgen, graduating 30 nurses from seven countries in December 2025. This project is a joint effort of University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ghana, City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) and ISNCC.
• Launch of the Foundation Course in Oncology Nursing with Hue Central Hospital, Vietnam, ISNCC associate member, training 70 nurses and receiving excellent participant feedback.
• Review of the Advanced Training Curriculum for Breast Cancer Nursing with the Indonesian Oncology Nursing Association, ISNCC full member, to enhance national competencies.
• Travel scholarships for three nurses from low- and middle-income countries (Vietnam, Kenya, and Indonesia) to attend the CNSA–ICCN Congress 2025, fostering cross-regional learning and collaboration. We deeply appreciate Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO), our full member organization, for sponsoring one of the travel scholarships.

These initiatives have collectively strengthened global leadership capacity and provided accessible oncology education, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Strategic Direction 2: Influencing Global Health Policy

ISNCC continues to advocate for the integration of nursing in global cancer control. In 2025, we developed two new position statements—“Climate Change and Cancer Nursing” and “Children’s Palliative Care”—and updated four key statements:

• Cancer Nursing Education
•  Palliative Care
• Cancer Pain Management
• Role of Cancer Nurses Around the World

These policy updates reaffirm the essential contribution of nurses across prevention, care, and palliation, guiding advocacy and practice worldwide.

Strategic Direction 3: Advancing and Applying Knowledge

To expand access to continuing education and evidence-based practice, ISNCC collaborated with member organizations (CANO, CNSA) and partners (AONS, C/Can, European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS), International Thoracic Oncology Nursing Forum (ITONF)) to deliver global knowledge exchange webinars, symposia, and workshops.

The CNSA–ICCN Congress 2025 in Adelaide gathered over 1,100 participants from more than 30 countries, showcasing innovation and leadership in cancer nursing.

Knowledge advancement continued through major research initiatives:

• The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF)-funded project promoting early gastric cancer detection in rural China completed Phase I needs assessment and progressed to developing training for rural healthcare providers and education materials for local communities.
• A CANO-sponsored research grant launched supports LMIC nurses conducting research to improve cancer care outcomes.

Our official journal, Cancer Nursing, remains a leading reference for research and clinical practice innovations. ISNCC continues to support non-English-speaking nurse authors through editorial assistance programs, ensuring global dissemination of nursing science.

Strategic Direction 4: Leveraging Partnerships

In 2025, more than a hundred cancer nurses worldwide engaged in ISNCC activities—serving as directors, committee members, speakers, curriculum reviewer, judges, and project leads. Collaboration with member organizations and international partners was instrumental in advancing our shared mission. A summary of collaborative initiatives is included in the attached report.

Strategic Plan 2026–2029

ISNCC is pleased to announce the launch of our Strategic Plan 2026-2029, which builds on the momentum of the past three years.

Vision:

Leading and empowering the global nursing community in equitable and innovative cancer control and care.

Mission:

• To lead and amplify the role of nursing in reducing the global burden of cancer through collaboration, advocacy, education, and the advancement of nursing science.
• To promote excellence in quality and standards of cancer care aimed to improve the health and well-being of people at risk for and/or living with cancer.

• Strategic Directions:

  1. Build and strengthen global nursing leadership in cancer control and care.
  2. Enhance educational and resources outreach.
  3. Advocate for nursing in cancer prevention, control, and care.
  4. Leverage technology for engagement and communication.
  5. Strengthen global partnerships.
  6. Diversify funding sources and sustain financial stability.

  After consultation with member organizations, ISNCC introduced a new membership fee structure (effective 2026). This tiered model balances affordability for lower-income countries with sustainability for the Society, ensuring equitable global participation. We sincerely thank our members for their feedback and support during its development.

  Looking Ahead

  The accomplishments of 2025 have been extraordinary—highlighted by cross-continental leadership programs, expanded oncology education in LMICs, evidence-informed policy work, global research collaborations, and unprecedented member engagement.

  These collective efforts embody ISNCC’s commitment to empowering the nursing community to reduce the cancer burden worldwide. As we enter a new strategic cycle, we look forward to continued collaboration in advancing equitable, innovative, and high-quality cancer care for all.

  We wish all a happy, prosperous, and healthy New Year 2026.

  With appreciation from the ISNCC Executive Committee,
  

  Winnie So, President
  Lena Sharp, President-Elect
  Catherine Johnson, Secretary/Treasurer
  International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC)

  Appendix

  2025 activities highlight

  Jan	Research grant was launched
  Feb	Support non-English-speaking nurse authors through editorial assistance programs
  Mar	Review Advanced Training Curriculum for Breast Cancer Nursing developed by Indonesia Oncology Nursing Association (IONA)
  Apr	The First Foundation Course of Oncology Nursing was launched in Huer Vietnam
  May	Online education portal was developed
  Jun	“MASCC Supportive Care 2030 Movement: International Cancer Nursing Organizations collaboration for Advancing Supportive Cancer Care” was presented at ICN Congress in Helsinki, Finland. This presentation is a joint effort of CANO, GPON, ISNCC, MASCC and ONS CNSA-ICCN Congress 2025 including:     -₋Joint ISNCC-CNSA pre-conference oncology nursing leadership   workshop    -ISNCC-ENOS joint session Two new position statements— “Climate Change and Cancer Nursing” and “Children’s Palliative Care”— were developed The 1st cohort of Oncology Nursing Leadership Program in Africa was launched
  Jul	“The essential role of oncology nursing professional organizations in advancing supportive care” was presented at MASCC conference 2025. This presentation is a joint effort of CANO, GPON, ISNCC, MASCC and ONS.
  Aug	A commentary “Five prerequisites to achieving excellence in supportive cancer care by 2030: oncology nursing in the driver’s seat” was published. This article is a joint effort of CANO, GPON, ISNCC, MASCC and ONS.
  Sep	Joint CNSA-ISNCC webinar: Best Nursing Practices for Hazardous Drug Safety webinar
  Oct	ISNCC-EONS joint session at EONS18 and EMOS 2025 Invited as an international nursing exert and participated in ASCO-C/Can Multidisciplinary cancer management course in Phnom Penh Cambodia Participated in an international symposium at CANO/ACIO Annual conference
  Nov	Joint CANO-ISNCC Global Knowledge Exchange webinar: Exposure assessment and health effects of hazardous drugs for oncology nurses: The unseen hazard and the imperative for change  Joint ISNCC-AONS preconference workshop on oncology nursing leadership  Formal announcement of AONS-ICCN 2027 in Tokyo Japan at the 7th AONS conference
  Dec	Graduation ceremony of the 1st cohort of Oncology Nursing Leadership Program in Africa 1st National Oncology Nursing Conference in Nigeria as a plenary speaker MyGiving Circle was launched