Dear Colleagues

As 2024 draws to a close, I would like to share our achievements this year on behalf of the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC). This review reflects on the remarkable achievements and significant milestones we have reached in maximizing the influence of nursing on reducing the global cancer burden. We are deeply grateful to all member organizations and global citizens for their unfailing support and valuable contributions to turning our strategic plan 2022-2025 into action.

Strategic Direction 1: Build and strengthen the cancer nursing workforce across the world

Over half of global cancer cases occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Our priority in 2024 was to continue to strengthen cancer nursing leadership and workforces worldwide, particularly in LMICs, to reduce the global cancer burden. In 2024, we worked collaboratively with the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ghana, and City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) to prepare a 5-year project proposal on developing an oncology nursing leadership program for training 240 cancer nurses across African countries. The project was successfully funded by Amgen, and the first cohort will be launched in Spring 2025.

Upholding the standards of training programs for cancer nurses is crucial for strengthening nurses’ provision of cancer care and control. We gathered oncology nursing leaders to review and provide feedback on the chemo-immunotherapy course developed by Hellenic Oncology Nursing Society to enhance the competency of cancer nurses in Europe.

To optimize learning opportunities and build capacity for nurses from LMICs, we offered over 60 scholarships for LMIC nurses to attend the virtual symposium 2024.

Strategic Direction 2: Influence global health policy

Global health policy helps establish national cancer control plans that benefit patients, healthcare organizations, and healthcare systems. Two position statements—one each on “cancer prevention, early detection, screening, and health promotion” and “out-of-hospital care for people living with metastatic breast cancer”—were developed in 2024. These statements highlight the key role played by nurses in cancer prevention, early cancer detection, and ensuring optimal care delivery to people with metastatic breast cancer. ISNCC is committed to optimizing nurses’ contributions to cancer care and control. Let us work together to transform these position statements into action.

As a member of the steering committee of the International Cancer Control Partnership, we supported cancer control planning efforts by reviewing national cancer control plans and enlisting global cancer nursing experts to implement and evaluate these plans.

Strategic Direction 3: Advance and apply knowledge

We have provided global nurses with various educational opportunities for advancing their cancer care knowledge and skills. We conducted global knowledge exchange webinars focusing on the care of people with mesothelioma and emotional distress. We convened a virtual symposium 2024 with the theme “Stronger together – 40 years of global cancer nursing,” covering topics on quality improvement, supporting system change, improving cancer treatment outcomes, and reducing cancer patients’ burden. Using Pfizer’s funding, we developed educational resources for global cancer nurses to support metastatic breast cancer patients receiving oral anti-cancer treatment. The English educational materials have been translated into simplified Chinese and Spanish. We also shared up-to-date research and knowledge with global cancer nurses via scientific meetings and conferences hosted by our member organizations and regional/international partners. All of these educational activities gathered global nurses from more than 40 countries/regions. The nurses’ commitment to equipping themselves to provide the best cancer care is greatly appreciated. The cancer nurses who attended the global knowledge exchange programs and virtual symposium gained actionable insights that they can use to make a difference in their own healthcare settings, from cancer prevention to end-of-life care.

Up to 50% of cancer cases are preventable by engaging in healthy lifestyles and detecting the disease early. We obtained a research grant to promote early gastric cancer detection in rural China by strengthening nurses and healthcare providers’ capacity for the prevention and early detection of gastric cancer, improving access to and uptake of gastric cancer screening, and improving knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding the prevention and early detection of gastric cancer among rural residents. We deeply appreciate The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation for supporting ISNCC’s initiatives to reduce the global cancer burden via early cancer detection.

Cancer Nursing, ISNCC’s official journal, continues to disseminate groundbreaking research findings and their practical applications to address the wide spectrum of problems arising in the care and support of cancer patients worldwide. We continue to support our journal by offering an English editorial assistance program to non-English-speaking nurse authors seeking to publish.

Strategic Direction 4: Leverage partnerships with Members and Global Citizens

ISNCC Members are organizations representing cancer nurses in countries and regions worldwide. Our Global Citizens are individuals in the field of cancer care who support ISNCC’s ethos, objectives, strategy, and philanthropic goals. In 2024, over 130 cancer nurses from 30 countries/regions engaged in various positions and/or strategic activities to achieve ISNCC’s mission, including being directors/committee members/speakers/project team leaders/members and/or engaging in organizing various ISNCC activities. We also worked collaboratively with our member organizations and regional/international partners to achieve our common goals. For example, we organized a joint Global Knowledge Exchange webinar with the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO) and The International Thoracic Oncology Nursing Forum; provided mutual support to promote our activities via members’/partners’ networks and vice versa; worked collaboratively with the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) to organize a joint CNSA–ICCN 2025 Congress in Adelaide, Australia; worked collaboratively with C/Can and UHAS to develop an oncology nursing leadership program for nurses across African countries; used CANO’s funding to establish a research grant for ISNCC members and global citizens from LMICs; and partnered with Asian Oncology Nursing Society and Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute to develop a clinical observership program for Asian cancer nurses. Moreover, ISNCC collaborated with five member organizations and regional/international partners (CANO, Oncology Nursing Society, European Oncology Nursing Society, Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), Global Power of Oncology Nursing) to respond to the recently published MASCC Supportive Care 2030 Ambition Statements that outline the desired global state of supportive care by 2030, articulating the role and contribution of oncology nurses in achieving it.

Incoming and outgoing Board of Directors

We have four new members on the Board of Directors, Lena Sharp (President-elect), Catherine Johnson (Treasurer), Yuhan Lu (Director, communication portfolio), and David Makumi-Kinyanjui (Director), while Suzanne Bishaw (Director, conference management portfolio) and Julia Downing (Director, policy and advocacy portfolio) were re-elected for their second term. We greatly appreciate three outgoing members—Patsy Yates (Past president), Linda Watson (Treasurer), and Yongyi Chen (Director, communication portfolio)—for their dedication and contributions to ISNCC and global cancer nurses during their term of services.

As we look to 2024 and beyond, we are grateful for your support of ISNCC’s mission. Our global accomplishments could not be achieved without your support and commitment. Your engagement in ISNCC’s work creates synergies to maximize global nurses’ efforts to improve the health and well-being of people at risk of or living with cancer. We look forward to continuing to work closely with you to maximize our contributions to cancer control.

We wish you all a happy and healthy New Year 2025!

Regards,

Winnie So
President
International Society for Nurses in Cancer Care

Are you passionate about advancing oncology nursing and making a difference in cancer care? The International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC), in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO), invites you to apply for the 2024/2025 Research/Evidence-Based Project Grant!

Why Apply

This grant offers CAD $5,000 (~USD $3,500) to support impactful projects by cancer nurses in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The focus is on generating knowledge and improving cancer care globally through evidence-based initiatives.

Explore These Project Areas

• Policy Development: Crafting tools like policy briefs to influence healthcare systems.
• Oncology Nursing Processes: Designing or updating care models and guidelines.
• Cancer Prevention: Implementing effective screening programs for common cancers.
• Palliative & End-of-Life Care: Enhancing symptom management for advanced-stage cancer patients.
• Digital Transformation: Leveraging digital tools to optimize care.
• Survivorship & Quality of Life: Addressing the physical, emotional, and social impacts of cancer.

For more suggestions please visit the grant information page.

Who Can Apply?

If you’re a cancer nurse from an LMIC with at least three years of oncology experience and a bachelor’s degree in nursing, we want to hear from you! Applicants must be ISNCC Global Citizens or affiliated with a Member Society and have institutional support for their projects.

Key Dates and Submission Guidelines

• Grant Amount: CAD $5,000 (~USD $3,500)
• Duration: Up to 2 years
• Deadline: February 9, 2025

We invite proposals from eligible individuals. 

ISNCC Research Grant 2024 / 2025

To mark 40 years of global collaborations, the ISNCC Virtual Symposium on Cancer Nursing was held from November 4 to 6, 2024. The aim was to connect fellow professionals with one another and foster collaborations that transcend borders. We hope that the oncology nurses who attended the symposiums obtained some actionable insights that they can use to make a difference in their own health care settings, from cancer prevention to end-of-life care.

Virtual Symposium Day 1

Opening Remarks:

The first day of the virtual symposium was kicked off by a warm welcome from Winnie So, President of ISNCC. Prof. So highlighted the importance of improving quality and supporting systems change in cancer nursing and stressed the need for a collaborative approach to addressing the challenges faced by cancer patients. She also introduced the meeting agenda and thanked the speakers.

Session 1.1: Panel Discussion on ISNCC – Forty Years Together: Nurses Addressing the Global Burden of Cancer Together

This panel session was moderated by Distinguished Prof. Patsy Yates and included ISNCC Past Presidents Connie Henke Yarbro, Margaret Fitch, Sanchia Aranda, Greta Cumming and Stella Aguinaga Bialous. They reflected on the nursing journey in cancer control over the past four decades. The aim of the discussion was to build on this history and look ahead to the future of cancer nursing. Participants learned about some of the most important achievements and milestones in cancer nursing and heard from past presidents of the ISNCC about the opportunities and challenges for the future of cancer nursing.

Session 1.2: Workshop – PROcision Care: Using Patient-Reported Outcomes to Personalize Care Delivery

Chaired by Prof. Darryl Somayaji, this session explored the growing trend of incorporating standardized, validated questionnaires into routine care to gather information directly from patients about their symptoms, functioning and well-being. The concept of PROcision Care, which involves the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to inform patient care and management, was emphasized. The aim of the workshop was to build a foundation of knowledge about PROs in practice and to enhance nurses’ ability to use PRO data to guide clinical action, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Case studies were used to guide learning and discussion.

Session 1.3: Workshop – Building Capacity for Quality Improvement in Health Care Settings

The final workshop, “Building Capacity for Quality Improvement in Health Care Settings,” was chaired by Jo Visser, with speakers Joanne Burke-Bajaj, Neil Drimer and Sarah Olver. The session introduced participants to the basics of quality improvement, including understanding the improvement model and how to implement it. Participants learned how to identify problems, root causes and potential solutions, and how to test changes and measure improvement.

Session Close:

The first day of the virtual symposium was a great success. Nurses from all over the world were inspired by the achievements and practical experience of the experts in continuous quality improvement and systems change in cancer nursing.

Virtual Symposium Day 2

Opening Remarks:

Proceedings began with a warm welcome from Suzanne Bishaw, who set the tone for an informative and engaging second day. Suzanne Bishaw acknowledged the importance of the topic and emphasized the need to improve cancer treatment outcomes.

Workshop: Oncology Nurse Advocacy for Age-Friendly Cancer Care

In this workshop, Prof. Mei Krishnasamy addressed the challenges of ageism in cancer care and its negative impact on patient outcomes. She emphasized the need for effective communication with older patients and strategies to prevent elder abuse. The session highlighted the value of co-designing resources with patients and carers to create age-sensitive care.

Symposium: Enhancing Cervical Cancer Screening Equity – A Multilayered Approach

A session led by Prof. Winnie So and Prof. Dorothy Chan discussed strategies to promote equitable access to cervical cancer screening, with a particular focus on underserved communities. They presented topics such as multimedia interventions, the role of community health workers, and decision aids that empower individuals to make informed screening decisions.

Oral Presentation 1: Exploring the Decision-Making Process of Palliative Care among Male Caregivers

Prof. Cindy Wang presented research on the unique challenges faced by male carers in palliative care. Her presentation focused on the emotional and practical hurdles that male carers face in the palliative care decision-making process.

Oral Presentation 2: Early Palliative Care – Integrating an Innovative Nurse-Led Approach in Oncology

Prof. Stephanie Lelond presented a nurse-led model for integrating early palliative care into oncology services to improve patient support and quality of life. Her model demonstrated an innovative approach to improving the accessibility and effectiveness of palliative care through nursing leadership.

Symposium: Models of Patient-Led Survivorship Care

In this session, Makala Castelli shared examples of successful patient-led initiatives in survivorship care, highlighting models that empower survivors to take charge of their ongoing health care needs. She also illustrated how patient-led care can promote autonomy and resilience in survivorship.

Session Close:

The second day of the symposium focused on a global nursing approach to improving cancer care outcomes and provided valuable insights into improving cancer care through patient advocacy, age-sensitive practices, equitable screening initiatives and supportive palliative care models. This part of the study broadened the participants’ horizons and increased their knowledge and skills, which will play a positive role in promoting high-quality care in cancer nursing.

Virtual Symposium Day 3

Opening Remarks:

The third day of the symposium began with a warm welcome from Prof. Dorothy Chan, who set the tone for an informative and engaging day. Acknowledging the importance of the topic, Prof. Chan emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to addressing the burden of patients with advanced disease.

This day of the virtual symposium was chaired by Stavroule Chante and Marisa Durao Portela Lima.

Call for Action: Global Needs for Pediatric Palliative Care

Prof. Julia Downing discussed the definition and importance of pediatric palliative care, highlighting the prevalence of serious illness in children. She addressed the challenges facing the field and shared best practices, case studies and collaborative strategies for improvement. She also provided suggestions for raising awareness and educating others about pediatric palliative care and recommendations for national and international policies to strengthen its implementation.

Symposium: Oncology Nurse Advocacy for Equitable Cancer Care

Prof. Mei Krishnasamy from the University of Melbourne discussed how social determinants of health affect access to care and cancer outcomes, and highlighted cancer nurses’ advocacy for equitable care. This session will have enhanced participants’ understanding of these determinants and introduced the NEAT nursing equity tool for practice.

Symposium: Making the Most of the Contemporary Approaches to Education and Training in Palliative Care

Dr. Heather Richardson emphasized the importance of incorporating innovative, modern methods into palliative care education and training. Participants were thereby equipped with the skills to discover new learning opportunities, understand how technology can transfer knowledge and skills, identify potential partners for education and training efforts, and learn from the successes and challenges faced by palliative care education and training providers.

Symposium: Cancer Prevention Across Europe (PrEvCan), Key Learning Experiences and Impact

Dr. Lena Sharp explored the impact of health literacy, public health campaigns and cancer prevention strategies in various European subgroups. This session emphasized the vital role of cancer nurses in alleviating the burden of cancer and enhancing cancer prevention literacy. Participants gained insights into the importance of effectively communicating cancer prevention information to diverse populations.

Session Close

The third day of the symposium focused on a global nursing approach to cancer prevention and alleviating the burden of patients with advanced illness. It addressed several key topics, including the global need for pediatric palliative care, oncology nurse advocacy for equitable cancer care, effective use of contemporary education and training methods, and cancer prevention across Europe (PrEvCan). We hope that oncology nurses around the world were inspired by these lectures and were empowered to make a greater contribution to reducing the global burden of cancer!

A recording of the symposium is now available for all registered participants. Please access the following link

1. Direct link: isncc.org/2024-Symposium-On-Demand/ (login required)

2. Website Path: Go to RESOURCES → MY ISNCC → 2024 VIRTUAL SYMPOSIUM ON-DEMAND (login required to see item in menu).

Remarks: This on-demand access is exclusively for registered participants, so feel free to dive back into the content anytime.

October 18 is World Breast Cancer Awareness Day, a globally recognized and highly significant event that is celebrated in diverse ways. The main goal of this day is to raise awareness of breast cancer, a disease that affects millions of women worldwide. Recently, nurses from various medical institutions across China have responded to this initiative by taking actions to promote breast health and facilitate early diagnosis and treatment through education, advocacy and support.

Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital held its 13th Breast Care Theme Event on October 18. The event began with an energetic flash mob performance by medical staff and volunteers on the theme of “Harmony: Born Together in Love.” This lively performance, infused with music and dance, created a warm atmosphere and united its participants in a collective effort to inspire hope and strength in women. In the second part of the program, seven medical and nursing experts from the Breast Cancer Prevention and Research Center gave informative talks on important topics such as breast cancer prevention, treatment options, side-effects of anti-cancer therapy and healthy lifestyle choices. The final segment of the program focused on psychological stress relief, with the theme “Meet the Heart, Walk Toward the Light.” An anti-cancer advocate delivered an inspiring performance that included a solo rendition of “Her Pillow on the Light,” celebrating the beauty of life and sharing a message of love and courage.

In Shandong Province, health professionals at Shandong Cancer Hospital organized a Pink Month health promotion event with the theme “Caring for Breast Health: Cherishing the Women Around You.” The event involved more than 40 breast cancer survivors and their caregivers. Dr Li Yongqing provided advice on breast cancer genetic testing and interpreting the results. Ms. Li, a breast cancer patient, described her experience as follows: “When I learned that the BRCA gene test results were good, I finally felt that a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. We are lucky—our daughter is safe.” Head Nurse Huang Amei and the nursing team gave a presentation on lymphedema prevention and management. Mr Ge, husband of a breast cancer survivor, expressed his gratitude: “We are lucky to have such a dedicated breast care team. My wife received excellent care and her recovery from surgery has been smooth.” The event concluded with a paper rose making activity involving volunteers and breast cancer survivors.

The Nursing Department of Fudan University Affiliated Cancer Hospital held a series of professional academic forums with the theme “Caring with Care and Sharing with Love,” seeking to raise women’s awareness of breast cancer prevention and breast health. This initiative also provided a platform for professional academic exchange among medical staff in breast care and rehabilitation. The hospital organized a course on body management, inviting medical and rehabilitation experts to teach nurses through a combination of theoretical and practical approaches.

In October, diverse efforts were made to raise awareness of breast cancer in major hospitals across the country. Oncology nurses worked with other team members to teach patients and survivors how to look after themselves better and raise awareness of how to prevent breast cancer and diagnose the disease early. It is hoped that these activities will ultimately make a meaningful contribution to cancer control in China.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a low-middle income country (LMIC) of 10.5 million people in the western South Pacific and Australia’s nearest neighbour. Despite increasing cancer incidence, cancer nursing is not recognized as a specialty. Within a resource-limited health system there is limited patient access to scarce cancer treatments, and the majority of patients become palliative. Across the country, however, there are many nurses who use ‘nursing as therapy’, providing care, hope, spiritual and personal interaction as nursing interventions. They often have to overcome ancient traditions and culturett, sorcery, the widespread use of traditional medicines and practices, often limited literacy, and patients’ fears of western medicine.

There had been no cancer nursing education across PNG beyond the undergraduate level. Nurses providing chemotherapy were self-taught. In 2021 we commenced weekly tutorials via ZOOM on cancer nursing to a small group of nurses at Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGEN) in preparation for a new comprehensive cancer centre to include radiation oncology services.

A range of colleagues have become involved with PNG cancer nurses: in 2022 ISNCC provided scholarships to 5 RNs to attend the virtual conference, supported by Suzanne Bishaw: this was their first exposure to the global cancer nursing community, and it ignited a literal ‘fire’ to become engaged. All five RNs wrote a blog on their experience for the ISNCC Newsletter. In June 2023 the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) provided scholarships for 5 RNs to attend the winter congress in Adelaide, followed by 4 RNs travelling to Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) to spend one month at Canberra Hospital, supported by the ACT Nursing Directorate and Canberra Hospital. CNSA also supported 2 RNs to attend the Winter Congress in 2024. In 2023 the Papua New Guinea Oncology Nurses Association (PaNGONA) was created by RN Peter Fore to bring together nurses across the country for the first time with the support of ISNCC. In 2023 the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) provided a week-long workshop on paediatric oncology to nurses across PNG. Since then, SIOP nurses, mainly CNC Jayne Harrison, deliver a monthly session in the tutorials; they also provided a second workshop in 2024.

In September 2024 I met with the Deans of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) Medical School about the introduction of a post-graduate diploma in oncology nursing in 2025. A further meeting with key stakeholders, sponsored by Merilyn Nicholas, Director of Nursing (DON) POMGEN, created a core group I lead in writing the curriculum with Jayne Harrison (SIOP) and Ben Felmingham (SIOP Pharmacist), supported by Andrew Dimech, DON, Peter MacCallum Institute, Melbourne Australia. This will provide career pathways in clinical expertise, management, education and research. The creation of Nurse Navigator roles across the country within a ‘hub and spoke’ model has the prospect of improving cancer care across PNG. Oncology nursing is now a specialty in PNG!

The next focus is to present a session highlighting the remarkable work of 5 PNG cancer nurses at the next ISNCC/CNSA congress in Adelaide in 2025.

Author: Pauline Rose RN, BN, M(Onc),PhD, Remote volunteer Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea

Email: prose@cheerful.com

Unleash the Power of Knowledge at the Global Knowledge Exchange Webinar! The ISNCC co-hosted this Global Knowledge Exchange webinar with the International Thoracic Oncology Nursing Forum (ITONF): A Global Nursing Focus to the Care of the Person with Mesothelioma on 25 September 2024 brought together experts from around the world to discuss mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. The webinar aimed to give participants the latest knowledge and insights. Eighty-five nurses from around the world attended the meeting.

Opening Remarks

The event began with a warm welcome from Caitlin Broderick, ITONF Co-Chair, who set the tone for an informative and engaging session. Ms. Broderick acknowledged the importance of the topic and emphasised the need for a collaborative approach to addressing the challenges faced by those affected by mesothelioma.

Understanding a Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

Kirsten Mooney (Australia) presented an erudite discourse on the diagnosis of mesothelioma. She provided an overview of the disease, its symptoms, and the diagnostic process, emphasising the importance of early detection and accurate diagnosis in improving treatment outcomes.

Treatment Dilemmas

Suzanne Walker (USA) proceeded to elucidate the intricacies of managing mesothelioma. The lecture, entitled "Treatment Dilemmas in Mesothelioma", addressed the array of available treatment modalities, encompassing surgical, chemotherapeutic, radiotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic approaches, in addition to other cutting-edge therapeutic modalities emerging from the most recent clinical trials and guideline updates.

Family and Care Burden

The webinar proceeded to examine the emotional and practical burdens borne by families and caregivers of mesothelioma patients. Sarah A. Hargreaves (United Kingdom) investigated the impact of mesothelioma on families and elucidated a number of coping strategies for providing support. 

Sarah Yasuko Nagamatsu (Japan) offered insights on this aspect of the disease. It was emphasised that it is crucial to provide these caregivers with both emotional support and practical assistance, as well as to recognise and address the specific challenges they encounter.

Managing Expectations and Understanding Pathways for Compensation

Leah Taylor (United Kingdom), presented a discourse on the subject of compensation for victims of mesothelioma. She provided an overview of the various avenues for pursuing compensation, including legal and government-sponsored programs. Furthermore, she addressed some of the barriers to compensation, including those posed by institutions, patients, and healthcare professionals. Ms. Taylor furnished the participants with a more comprehensive grasp of the available options and the practicalities of the compensation process.

Session Close

The webinar concluded with closing remarks from Dorothy Chan (ISNCC Board Member, Knowledge Development & Dissemination Committee), who thanked the presenters, sponsor, participants, and organizers for their contributions to the event. Dorothy Chan saidthat each speaker’s sharing was invaluable and the webinar had been useful in understanding and improving care for people with mesothelioma.

The recorded webinar is now available!

We are launching the Academic Express section to promote academic exchanges and the development of oncology nursing. Each issue will feature the latest research findings from ISNCC members.

In this issue, we are honoured to invite Dr. Natalie Bradford from the  Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, Queensland University of Technology to share her latest research “Cancer Nurses’ Voices and Recommendations to Address Workforce Challenges: A Qualitative Analysis” published in Seminars in Oncology Nursing. 

As cancer nurses, our own well-being and job satisfaction are not always heard, yet both are essential to maintaining high-quality patient care. While many cancer nurses are dedicated and resilient, there are increasing challenges to providing safe, equitable care to patients.  Understanding workplace issues are key to making improvements, This research aimed to give Australian cancer nurses the platform to share their experiences and propose solutions to enhance both their professional fulfilment and patient outcomes.

What We Discovered

In our study, we analysed the survey responses of 601 cancer nurses to understand the balance between their sense of fulfilment and the numerous obstacles they face in the workplace. The study revealed two main themes.

First, nurses consistently reported finding great personal and professional fulfilment in their roles, even while grappling with overwhelming workloads, burnout, and limited opportunities for career progression. Many felt undervalued, which, coupled with these pressures, added to emotional strain.

Second, the nurses identified solutions to the workforce challenges they encounter, including the need for improved nurse-to-patient ratios, structured career development programs, dedicated time for learning, and better mentorship. Despite these solutions being voiced at the grassroots level, nurses expressed frustration at perceived organisational inertia and resistance to change.

Implications for Cancer Care

The findings of this study carry important implications for cancer nursing globally. Tangible solutions to address workforce challenges include: 1) enhance educational and career and opportunities, 2) invest in the workforce, 3) address compassion fatigue, and 4) strengthen nursing leadership, management and support. To operationalize these solutions collaboration between healthcare institutions, educational providers, professional organizations and the cancer nursing workforce is imperative. Providing nurses with opportunities for professional growth and fostering interdisciplinary teamwork will contribute to a more sustainable workforce. Additionally, ongoing research to understand the changing needs of the cancer nurse would help inform future education agendas and development opportunities, as well as policy reform in the workplace. Addressing these workforce challenges is not only a matter of nurse well-being but also crucial to improving patient care. It is clear that by listening to and acting on the voices of cancer nurses, we can create an environment where both nurses and their patients thrive.

Through this research, we hope to inspire further dialogue and action within the field, ensuring that cancer nurses feel supported, valued, and empowered to provide the best care possible.

Reference:

Bradford, N., Kirk, D., Taylor, K., Williams, N., McErlean, G., Cook, O., ... & Moore, E. (2024, October). Cancer Nurses’ Voices and Recommendations to Address Workforce Challenges: A Qualitative Analysis. In Seminars in Oncology Nursing (Vol. 40, No. 5, p. 151722). WB Saunders. Cancer Nurses’ Voices and Recommendations to Address Workforce Challenges: A Qualitative Analysis - ScienceDirect

Nurturing the Art of Caring: Unveiling Oncology Nursing Innovation with Specialized Expertise. We are excited to announce a significant advancement in oncology nursing: the clinical patent for "A Single-Use Safety Subcutaneous Injection Kit," developed by Miaoning You RN,MSN from Peking University Cancer Hospital, China. 

First Inventor: Miaoning You, RN,MSN

Ms. You has worked in the field of cancer care for over 20 years. Now she is the head nurse of the Breast Oncology Department of Peking University Cancer Hospital. She also serves as vice chairman of the Chinese Aging Well Association’s Committee on Chronic Edema and Wound Treatment and Rehabilitation, and the Lymphedema Subcommittee under the Chinese Microcirculation Society. With rich experience in cancer care, she invented a series of nursing patents these year.which have brought great benefits to the improvement of nursing quality and efficiency

Subcutaneous injection is a common route of administration. Traditionally, the injections dose doesn’t exceed 2ml that can be done with a 2ml syringe,within 2 minutes. However, in recent years, the subcutaneous formulation of antitumor drugs has gradually increased, which brings new challenges to nursing..Some subcutaneous drugs delivery requires larger doses and longer injection times, which can lead to fatigue for nursing staff and discomfort for patients during these extended procedures with traditional syringes.Moreover, the absence of safety features increases the risk of needlestick injuries. 

To combat these challenges, Ms. You's team has introduced the "Safety Subcutaneous Injection Kit." This innovative kit includes a specialized subcutaneous injection needle with a safety protection device, along with an extension tube connecting the needle to the syringe. This design enhances usability for nurses and significantly reduces the risk of needlestick injuries. The kit further includes cotton swabs for disinfection, an infusion patch, a sterile gloves pair, and a medical waste bag, streamlining nursing operations. 

Sample Diagram of the 'Single-Use Safety Subcutaneous Injection Kit' After Patent Conversion (Patent Number:ZL202221209632.5)

On July 8, 2024, Ms. You's team successfully signed a technology transfer contract with Beijing JiaDeZhongHe Technology Co., Ltd. for their innovative injection kit, achieving a conversion amount of 3 million RMB. This remarkable invention not only showcases the advancements in nursing practice but also exemplifies the vital role of innovation in enhancing patient care and safety. 

Stay tuned for more updates on innovations that are transforming the field of oncology nursing!

CNSA is excited to partner with ISNCC to deliver a joint Congress in Adelaide next year! Planning is well underway, and our theme of Global Voices, Local Actions: From Inspiration to Implementation will provide a fantastic array of international and national initiatives to inspire change in practice and showcase nurse-developed, evidence-based models of care. With that in mind, we are delighted to open Expressions of Interest for both our Pre-Congress Symposiums and Concurrent Sessions. If you have ideas that you’d like to present, we’d love to hear from you!

Key Dates for CNSA ICCN 2025 Congress
Abstracts Submissions: Open Early September, Close 1 November
Registrations Open: Early November

Pre-Congress Symposiums will take place on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with a 15-minute afternoon tea break. These symposiums offer specialist groups a chance to deliver focused professional development aligned with the Congress theme and CNSA’s strategic direction. We are providing six half-day symposiums, encouraging interactive and practical workshop formats. Organizers should plan for approximately 3.5 hours of content.

Concurrent Sessions are scheduled from Thursday, June 19, to Saturday, June 21, 2025, with each session running for 1.5 hours. These sessions feature specialized, focused presentations that occur simultaneously throughout the Congress. They should be relevant to delegates and align with the Congress themes, typically following a theatre-style format with presentations and Q&A.

The deadline to submit your Expression of Interest is Monday 30th September, 2024. We will get back to you in early October regarding your submission.

For more information and submissions, visit the CNSA website.