Declaración conjunta acerca del Informe sobre la situación mundial del cáncer 2026 de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS)

Basándose en los datos del reciente Informe sobre la situación mundial del cáncer 2026 de la OMS, el Consejo Internacional de Enfermeras (CIE), la Sociedad Internacional de Enfermeras en Cuidados Oncológicos (ISNCC) y la Red Internacional de Cuidados Paliativos Infantiles (ICPCN) instan a los responsables políticos a invertir en el personal de enfermería y de salud y a protegerlo, con el fin de reforzar urgentemente los sistemas de salud y mejorar los resultados en la atención oncológica a lo largo de todo el proceso asistencial.
El CIE, la ISNCC y la ICPCN acogen con satisfacción el claro mensaje del informe de que el futuro de la atención oncológica no se garantizará únicamente mediante los medicamentos y la tecnología, sino a través del personal de salud, que constituye la columna vertebral de la atención. Afirmamos que hacer frente a los retos más urgentes del mundo en materia de cáncer depende de invertir en el personal de enfermería y en los equipos multidisciplinares; abordar la escasez de personal y el agotamiento profesional; y alejarse de los modelos medicalizados para avanzar hacia una atención de salud equitativa y centrada en las personas, que abarque la prevención, el tratamiento, la supervivencia, la rehabilitación y los servicios paliativos.
La magnitud del reto exige una acción urgente
El informe de la OMS expone con gran urgencia la creciente carga mundial del cáncer. Sin una intervención urgente, los diagnósticos anuales de cáncer casi se duplicarán para 2050, hasta alcanzar los 35 millones. Una de cada cinco personas desarrollará cáncer a lo largo de su vida, y alrededor del 92 % de la población mundial se verá afectada por el cáncer, ya sea personalmente, a través de familiares o como cuidadores.

Sin embargo, el mundo no avanza por buen camino en lo que respecta a las inversiones en los sistemas de salud y en el personal de salud necesarias para hacer frente a estos retos. Según el informe, solo 12 países están actualmente en vías de cumplir la meta de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de reducir en un tercio la mortalidad prematura por cáncer.

El informe también pone de manifiesto profundas desigualdades en los resultados del cáncer tanto entre países como dentro de ellos. La supervivencia a cinco años del cáncer de mama se sitúa en el 87 % en los países de renta alta, frente al 42 % en muchos países de renta baja. En el caso de los cánceres infantiles, las tasas de supervivencia en los entornos de ingresos altos también son casi el doble que en muchos entornos de ingresos bajos. Estas disparidades inaceptables reflejan un acceso desigual a la prevención, la detección precoz, el diagnóstico, el tratamiento, el alivio del dolor, la rehabilitación, los cuidados paliativos y a profesionales de salud cualificados, incluidas las enfermeras.
El CIE, la ISNCC y la ICPCN advierten de que el aumento de la carga del cáncer, el incumplimiento a nivel mundial de los objetivos en materia de cáncer y las marcadas desigualdades en la supervivencia apuntan a la misma conclusión: los gobiernos deben actuar ahora para construir sistemas de salud más sólidos, mejor dotados de personal y más equitativos, y llevar una atención de calidad a toda la población.
Más allá de los modelos medicalizados: la atención oncológica centrada en las personas es una cuestión que atañe al personal de salud
El informe subraya que la atención oncológica requiere una transformación del sistema de salud que se aleje de los servicios centrados en la enfermedad y se oriente hacia enfoques integrados y centrados en las personas, que respondan a las realidades de los pacientes, las familias y los cuidadores en todas las etapas y que «valoren los cuidados tanto como la curación».
El CIE, la ISNCC y la ICPCN respaldan el reconocimiento que hace el informe de que «los planes sin personas no son planes»: la respuesta al cáncer no puede tener éxito sin las personas que la prestan. La prevención, el tratamiento y la atención eficaces del cáncer dependen de equipos multidisciplinares cualificados y que cuenten con el apoyo necesario, en los que se incluyan enfermeras en todos los niveles.
Las conclusiones del informe sobre la escasez de personal de salud especializado en cáncer, el agotamiento, la baja retención y el abandono de la profesión se hacen eco de lo que el CIE y la ISNCC llevan tiempo advirtiendo: sin una inversión sostenida e inmediata en personal, la calidad, la seguridad, la continuidad y el acceso oportuno a la atención oncológica están en peligro.
No hay planes contra el cáncer sin enfermeras
El CIE aboga desde hace tiempo por la transformación de los sistemas de salud hacia una atención integrada y centrada en las personas, lo que requiere invertir en la formación, la retención y el empoderamiento del personal de enfermería, así como permitir que las enfermeras y los enfermeros ejerzan plenamente su ámbito de competencia.

El presidente del CIE, José Luis Cobos Serrano, afirmó:

«El título del informe, «El futuro que elegimos juntos», es totalmente acertado. No podemos seguir aceptando muertes evitables, resultados desiguales en el tratamiento y condiciones de trabajo inaceptables para los profesionales de salud. Es hora de elegir un futuro en el que la atención oncológica sea equitativa, centrada en la persona y accesible, y en el que el personal de enfermería y de salud cuente con pleno apoyo y empoderamiento.

Las enfermeras constituyen la mayor parte del personal de salud, son las profesionales de salud que inspiran mayor confianza y, a menudo, el primer punto de contacto —el más frecuente y el más constante— para las personas afectadas por el cáncer. A lo largo de todo el proceso del cáncer, proporcionan educación en materia de prevención, vacunación, cribado, detección precoz, apoyo al tratamiento, atención psicosocial, rehabilitación, coordinación y cuidados paliativos.

Los responsables deben tomar la decisión de reforzar la enfermería de forma estructural mediante planes financiados para el personal de enfermería, una dotación de personal segura, condiciones de trabajo dignas, formación continua y funciones de liderazgo. Así es como las enfermeras pueden transformar los sistemas de salud para ofrecer una atención que llegue antes a las personas, favorezca resultados positivos en el tratamiento, reduzca el sufrimiento y proteja la dignidad en cada etapa».
La enfermería especializada en cáncer es esencial para la calidad, la seguridad y la equidad

El informe de la OMS reconoce la creciente complejidad de la atención oncológica, incluidos los rápidos avances en diagnóstico, terapias sistémicas, radioterapia, herramientas digitales y cuidados de apoyo. Esto hace que los conocimientos especializados en oncología sean especialmente cruciales.
La presidenta de la ISNCC, Lena Sharp, comentó:

«Las enfermeras especializadas en oncología desempeñan un papel vital a la hora de traducir los avances en el tratamiento del cáncer en una atención segura, eficaz y compasiva.

Las experiencias descritas en el informe deben guiar la acción. Las personas con cáncer no solo se enfrentan a un diagnóstico; muchas se enfrentan al miedo, a dificultades económicas, al malestar psicológico, a servicios fragmentados y a la incertidumbre sobre el futuro. Las enfermeras oncológicas suelen ser las profesionales que acompañan a los pacientes y a sus familias a lo largo de este proceso, explicando el tratamiento, controlando los síntomas y ayudando a las personas a orientarse en sistemas complejos y a tomar decisiones sobre su salud».

Los gobiernos y los sistemas de salud deben invertir en la formación en enfermería oncológica, el desarrollo profesional continuo, las funciones de práctica avanzada, los servicios dirigidos por enfermeras y el liderazgo de la enfermería en las políticas sobre el cáncer. Todos los servicios oncológicos deberían contar con estructuras de equipos multidisciplinares funcionales que incluyan la experiencia de la enfermería, ya que la atención oncológica de alta calidad depende de todo el equipo».
Los cuidados paliativos son un componente fundamental de la atención oncológica, también en el caso de los niños

El énfasis del informe de la OMS en el recorrido completo de la atención oncológica refuerza la idea de que los cuidados paliativos son un componente esencial de una atención oncológica de calidad, lo que incluye el control del dolor y los síntomas, el apoyo emocional y espiritual, la comunicación, el apoyo a la familia, la rehabilitación y la calidad de vida. Los cuidados paliativos también están integrados en la Definición de enfermería del CIE, lo que refleja la responsabilidad de las enfermeras y los profesionales de salud de aliviar el sufrimiento, promover el bienestar y apoyar a las personas y a sus familias a lo largo de la enfermedad.

Julia Downing, directora ejecutiva de la ICPCN, afirmó:

«Las historias y experiencias vividas que se recogen en el informe nos recuerdan que el cáncer no es solo una enfermedad de la tercera edad. También afecta a los niños y tiene repercusiones en toda su familia. Los padres, hermanos y cuidadores suelen soportar enormes cargas emocionales, prácticas y económicas. Los cuidados paliativos infantiles proporcionan un apoyo vital a los niños y a sus familias desde el diagnóstico, a lo largo del tratamiento, durante la supervivencia o a través de los cuidados al final de la vida y el duelo cuando la curación no es posible.

Todo plan nacional de control del cáncer debe incluir los cuidados paliativos infantiles, el acceso al alivio del dolor, enfermeras cualificadas dentro de equipos multidisciplinares y modelos de atención centrados en la familia. La campaña «Close the Gap» de la ICPCN aboga por que los cuidados paliativos estén disponibles para los niños en todas partes. La equidad en la atención oncológica significa garantizar que todos los niños, en cualquier parte del mundo, puedan recibir tanto el mejor tratamiento posible como la mejor atención posible».
El CIE, la ISNCC y la ICPCN instan a los gobiernos, los sistemas de salud, los organismos internacionales y los socios a actuar en consonancia con el informe de la OMS, realizando inversiones inmediatas y sostenidas en el personal de enfermería y en los equipos multidisciplinares de atención oncológica a lo largo de todo el continuo asistencial.

El futuro que elijamos juntos debe ser uno en el que la atención se valore tanto como la curación; en el que se valore a las enfermeras y al resto de profesionales de salud, se les brinden las condiciones necesarias para desempeñar su labor, se les proteja del agotamiento y se les empodere para liderar; y en el que tanto los niños como los adultos tengan acceso a una atención segura y eficaz, incluidos los cuidados paliativos, independientemente de dónde vivan o de lo que puedan permitirse.

El Consejo Internacional de Enfermeras (CIE) es una federación de más de 140 asociaciones nacionales de enfermería que representa a los 30 millones de enfermeras de todo el mundo. Dirigido por enfermeras y liderando la enfermería a nivel internacional, el CIE trabaja para garantizar unos cuidados de calidad para todos y unas políticas sanitarias sólidas en todo el mundo.

La Sociedad Internacional de Enfermería Oncológica (ISNCC) es una organización internacional de miembros formada por líderes de enfermería oncológica, dedicada a mejorar la salud y el bienestar de las personas en riesgo de padecer cáncer o que viven con cáncer, a promover el papel de la enfermería en la mejora de la atención oncológica y a desarrollar el liderazgo de enfermería en la prestación de cuidados oncológicos.

La Red Internacional de Cuidados Paliativos Pediátricos (ICPCN) es la única organización mundial que trabaja para mejorar el acceso a los cuidados paliativos para los más de 21 millones de niños y niñas en todo el mundo que los necesitan. La ICPCN está reconocida como líder mundial en cuidados paliativos pediátricos (CPP) y cuenta con un equipo directivo experto de renombre internacional, una amplia variedad de recursos educativos y una red de miembros en más de 140 países.

Déclaration commune relative au Rapport mondial sur la situation du cancer 2026 de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS)

S’appuyant sur les données présentées dans le récent Rapport mondial sur le cancer 2026 de l’OMS, le Conseil International des Infirmières (CII), la Société internationale des infirmières contre le cancer (ISNCC) et le Réseau international des soins palliatifs pour enfants (ICPCN) exhortent les dirigeants à investir dans le personnel infirmier et de santé, et à le protéger, afin de renforcer de toute urgence les systèmes de santé et d’améliorer les résultats de la lutte contre le cancer tout au long du continuum des soins.

Le CII, l’ISNCC et l’ICPCN saluent le message clair du rapport, selon lequel l’avenir des soins contre le cancer ne reposera pas uniquement sur les médicaments et les technologies, mais aussi sur les professionnels de santé qui constituent la colonne vertébrale des soins. Nous affirmons que, pour relever les défis les plus urgents liés au cancer à l’échelle mondiale, il est indispensable d’investir dans les infirmières et les équipes pluridisciplinaires, de remédier aux pénuries de personnel et à l’épuisement professionnel, et de s’éloigner des modèles excessivement médicalisés pour s’orienter vers des soins de santé équitables et centrés sur la personne, couvrant la prévention, le traitement, l’accompagnement des survivants, la réadaptation et les soins palliatifs.

L’ampleur du défi exige une action urgente

Le rapport de l’OMS met en évidence, avec une urgence criante, le fardeau mondial croissant du cancer. Sans intervention rapide, le nombre annuel de nouveaux cas de cancer pourrait presque doubler d’ici à 2050 pour atteindre 35 millions. Une personne sur cinq développera un cancer au cours de sa vie, et environ 92 % de la population mondiale sera touchée par le cancer, soit directement, soit par l’intermédiaire de membres de sa famille, soit en tant qu’aidante.

Pourtant, le monde accuse un retard dans les investissements nécessaires aux systèmes de santé et aux effectifs de santé pour relever ces défis. Selon le rapport, seuls douze pays sont actuellement en voie d’atteindre l’objectif de développement durable visant à réduire d’un tiers la mortalité prématurée due au cancer.

Le rapport met également en évidence de profondes inégalités dans les résultats liés au cancer, tant entre les pays qu’au sein même de ceux-ci. Le taux de survie à cinq ans du cancer du sein s’élève à 87 % dans les pays à revenu élevé, contre 42 % dans de nombreux pays à faible revenu. En ce qui concerne les cancers de l’enfant, les taux de survie dans les pays à revenu élevé sont également près de deux fois supérieurs à ceux observés dans de nombreux pays à faible revenu. Ces disparités inacceptables reflètent un accès inégal à la prévention, au dépistage précoce, au diagnostic, au traitement et aux soins prodigués par des professionnels de la santé qualifiés, notamment des infirmières.

Le CII, l’ISNCC et l’ICPCN soulignent que l’alourdissement du fardeau du cancer, l’incapacité mondiale à atteindre les objectifs fixés en matière de lutte contre le cancer et les inégalités criantes en matière de survie conduisent tous à la même conclusion : les gouvernements doivent agir dès maintenant pour mettre en place des systèmes de santé plus solides, mieux dotés en personnel et plus équitables, et garantir des soins de qualité pour tous.

Au-delà des modèles médicalisés : une lutte contre le cancer centrée sur la personne est d’abord une question d’effectifs de santé

Le rapport souligne que la lutte contre le cancer nécessite une transformation des systèmes de santé, qui doivent s’éloigner de services axés sur la maladie pour s’orienter vers des approches intégrées et centrées sur la personne, répondant aux réalités des patients, des familles et des aidants à chaque étape du parcours de soins et « accordant autant d’importance aux soins qu’à la guérison ».

Le CII, l’ISNCC et l’ICPCN souscrivent au constat du rapport selon lequel « des plans sans les personnes ne sont pas de véritables plans » : la lutte contre le cancer ne peut aboutir sans les personnes qui la mettent en œuvre. L’efficacité de la prévention, du traitement et des soins liés au cancer dépend d’équipes pluridisciplinaires qualifiées et soutenues, comprenant des infirmières à tous les niveaux.

Les conclusions du rapport concernant les pénuries de personnel de santé spécialisé dans les soins contre le cancer, l’épuisement professionnel, les faibles taux de fidélisation et l’attrition font écho à ce que le CII et l’ISNCC soulignent depuis longtemps : sans investissement soutenu et immédiat dans les ressources humaines pour la santé, la qualité, la sécurité et la continuité des soins, ainsi que l’accès en temps opportun aux soins contre le cancer, sont menacés.

Pas de stratégie de lutte contre le cancer sans infirmières

Le CII plaide depuis longtemps en faveur d’une transformation des systèmes de santé vers des soins intégrés et centrés sur la personne. Cette transformation exige d’investir dans la formation en soins infirmiers, la fidélisation et l’autonomisation des infirmières, ainsi que de leur permettre d’exercer pleinement dans leur domaine de pratique.

Le président du CII, José Luis Cobos Serrano, a déclaré :

« Le titre du rapport, L’avenir que nous choisissons ensemble, est tout à fait pertinent. Nous ne pouvons plus accepter des décès évitables, des inégalités dans les résultats de santé et des conditions de travail inacceptables pour les professionnels de santé. Il est temps de choisir un avenir dans lequel les soins contre le cancer sont équitables, centrés sur la personne et accessibles, et dans lequel le personnel infirmier et de santé bénéficie d’un soutien sans faille et des moyens d’agir pleinement.

Les infirmières et les infirmiers constituent la plus grande composante du personnel de santé. Ils figurent parmi les professionnels de santé auxquels la population accorde le plus sa confiance et représentent souvent le point de contact le plus précoce, le plus fréquent et le plus constant pour les personnes touchées par le cancer. Tout au long du parcours de soins contre le cancer, ils assurent l’éducation à la prévention, la vaccination, le dépistage, la détection précoce, l’accompagnement thérapeutique, le soutien psychosocial, la réadaptation, la coordination des soins et les soins palliatifs. »

« Les dirigeants doivent choisir de renforcer durablement le rôle des infirmières au moyen de plans de développement du personnel infirmier dotés de ressources financières adéquates, d’effectifs suffisants pour garantir la sécurité des soins, de conditions de travail décentes, ainsi que de possibilités de formation continue et d’accès à des fonctions de direction. C’est ainsi que les infirmières pourront transformer les systèmes de santé afin d’offrir des soins plus précoces, d’améliorer les résultats de santé, de réduire la souffrance et de préserver la dignité à chaque étape du parcours de soins. »

Les soins infirmiers spécialisés en oncologie sont essentiels à la qualité, à la sécurité et à l’équité des soins

Le rapport de l’OMS reconnaît la complexité croissante des soins oncologiques, notamment en raison des progrès rapides réalisés dans les domaines du diagnostic, des traitements systémiques, de la radiothérapie, des outils numériques et des soins de soutien. Dans ce contexte, l’expertise spécialisée en oncologie revêt une importance cruciale.

Lena Sharp, présidente de l’ISNCC, a déclaré :

« Les infirmières spécialisées en oncologie jouent un rôle essentiel en traduisant les avancées dans le traitement du cancer en soins sûrs, efficaces et empreints de compassion.

Les expériences décrites dans le rapport doivent guider l’action. Les personnes atteintes d’un cancer ne sont pas seulement confrontées à un diagnostic ; beaucoup doivent également faire face à la peur, à des difficultés financières, à une détresse psychologique, à des services fragmentés et à l’incertitude quant à l’avenir. Les infirmières spécialisées en oncologie sont souvent les professionnelles qui accompagnent les patients et leurs familles tout au long de ce parcours, en expliquant les traitements, en prenant en charge les symptômes et en aidant les personnes à s’orienter dans des systèmes de santé complexes et à prendre des décisions éclairées concernant leur santé.

Les gouvernements et les systèmes de santé doivent investir dans la formation en soins infirmiers oncologiques, le développement professionnel continu, les rôles d’infirmière de pratique avancée (IPA), les services dirigés par des infirmières et le leadership infirmier dans l’élaboration des politiques de lutte contre le cancer. Chaque service d’oncologie devrait disposer d’équipes pluridisciplinaires pleinement opérationnelles intégrant l’expertise infirmière, car la qualité des soins oncologiques dépend de l’ensemble de l’équipe. »

Les soins palliatifs constituent un élément central de la prise en charge du cancer, y compris chez les enfants

L’accent mis par le rapport de l’OMS sur l’ensemble du parcours de soins contre le cancer réaffirme que les soins palliatifs constituent une composante essentielle de soins oncologiques de qualité, notamment en matière de prise en charge de la douleur et des symptômes, de soutien émotionnel et spirituel, de communication, d’accompagnement des familles, de réadaptation et d’amélioration de la qualité de vie. Les soins palliatifs sont également ancrés dans la définition des soins infirmiers du CII, reflétant la responsabilité des infirmières et des professionnels de santé de soulager la souffrance, de promouvoir le bien-être et d’accompagner les personnes et leurs familles tout au long de la maladie.

Julia Downing, directrice générale de l’ICPCN, a déclaré :

« Les témoignages et les expériences vécues relatés dans ce rapport nous rappellent que le cancer n’est pas seulement une maladie qui touche les personnes âgées. Il affecte également les enfants et a des répercussions sur l’ensemble de leur famille. Les parents, les frères et sœurs et les aidants assument souvent une charge émotionnelle, pratique et financière considérable. Les soins palliatifs pédiatriques apportent un soutien essentiel aux enfants et à leurs familles dès le diagnostic, tout au long du traitement, pendant la phase de survie, ainsi que dans le cadre des soins de fin de vie et du deuil lorsque la guérison n’est pas possible. »

« Tout plan national de lutte contre le cancer doit inclure les soins palliatifs pédiatriques, l’accès au soulagement de la douleur, la présence d’infirmières formées au sein d’équipes pluridisciplinaires ainsi que des modèles de soins centrés sur la famille. La campagne “Close the Gap” de l’ICPCN appelle à rendre les soins palliatifs accessibles à tous les enfants dans le monde. L’équité en matière de lutte contre le cancer signifie garantir que chaque enfant, où qu’il vive, puisse bénéficier à la fois du meilleur traitement possible et des meilleurs soins possibles. »

Le CII, l’ISNCC et l’ICPCN appellent les gouvernements, les systèmes de santé, les organismes internationaux et leurs partenaires à donner suite au rapport de l’OMS en réalisant des investissements immédiats et durables dans le personnel infirmier et les équipes pluridisciplinaires impliquées dans la lutte contre le cancer, tout au long du continuum des soins.

L’avenir que nous choisissons ensemble doit être un avenir dans lequel les soins sont considérés comme aussi importants que la guérison ; dans lequel les infirmières et les autres professionnels de santé sont valorisés, soutenus, protégés contre l’épuisement professionnel et habilités à exercer un leadership ; et dans lequel les enfants et les adultes ont accès à des soins sûrs et efficaces, y compris des soins palliatifs, quels que soient leur lieu de résidence ou leurs moyens financiers.

Le Conseil International des Infirmières (CII) est une fédération regroupant plus de 140 associations nationales d’infirmières, représentant les 30 millions d’infirmières dans le monde. Dirigé par des infirmières et à l'avant-garde des soins infirmiers au niveau international, le CII s'efforce de garantir des soins de qualité pour tous et des politiques de santé saines à l'échelle mondiale.

La Société internationale des infirmières en cancérologie (ISNCC) est une organisation internationale composée de leaders infirmiers en oncologie, engagée à améliorer la santé et le bien-être des personnes à risque de cancer ou vivant avec un cancer, à promouvoir le rôle des infirmières dans l’amélioration des soins contre le cancer et à développer le leadership infirmier dans la prestation des soins en cancérologie.

Le Réseau international de soins palliatifs pédiatriques (ICPCN) est la seule organisation mondiale œuvrant à améliorer l’accès aux soins palliatifs pour les plus de 21 millions d’enfants dans le monde qui en ont besoin. L’ICPCN est reconnu comme le leader mondial des soins palliatifs pédiatriques (SPP) et dispose d’une direction experte de renommée internationale, d’une riche gamme de ressources éducatives et d’un réseau de membres dans plus de 140 pays. 

Joint Statement on World Health Organization (WHO) Global Status Report on Cancer 2026

Geneva, 23 July 2026 — Based on the evidence in WHO’s recent Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, the International Council of Nurses (ICN), International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) and International Children's Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) urge leaders to invest in and protect the nursing and health workforce to urgently strengthen health systems and improve cancer outcomes across the full continuum of care.

ICN, ISNCC, ICPCN welcome the report’s clear message that the future of cancer care will not be secured through medicines and technology alone, but through the health workforces that are the backbone of care. We affirm that meeting the world’s most urgent cancer challenges depends on investing in nurses and multidisciplinary teams; addressing workforce shortages and burnout; and moving away from medicalized models towards people-centred, equitable health care across prevention, treatment, survivorship, rehabilitation and palliative services.

The scale of the challenge demands urgent action

The WHO report sets out the growing global cancer burden with stark urgency. Without urgent intervention, annual cancer diagnoses will almost double by 2050, rising to 35 million. One in five people will develop cancer in their lifetime, and around 92% of the world’s population will be affected by cancer either personally, through family members, or as caregivers.

Yet the world is off track on the health system and health workforce investments needed to meet these challenges. According to the report, only 12 countries are currently on course to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing premature cancer mortality by one third.

The report also exposes profound inequalities in cancer outcomes between and within countries. Five-year breast cancer survival is reported at 87% in high-income countries compared with 42% in many low-income countries. For childhood cancers, survival rates in high-income settings are also almost double those in many low-income settings. These

unacceptable disparities reflect unequal access to prevention, early detection, diagnostics, treatment, pain relief, rehabilitation, palliative care and skilled health professionals including nurses.

ICN, ISNCC, ICPCN warn that rising cancer burdens, global failures to meet cancer targets, and stark inequalities in survival all point to the same conclusion: governments must act now to build stronger, better staffed and more equitable health systems and bring quality care to all.

Beyond medicalized models: People-centred cancer control is a health workforce issue

The report reinforces that cancer control requires health system transformation away from disease-focused services and towards integrated, people-centred approaches that respond to the realities of patients, families and caregivers at every stage and “value care as highly as cure”.

ICN, ISNCC, ICPCN support the report’s recognition that “plans without people are not plans”: the response to cancer cannot succeed without the people who deliver it. Effective cancer prevention, treatment and care depend on skilled, supported multidisciplinary teams that include nurses at every level.

The report’s findings on cancer health workforce shortages, burnout, low retention and attrition echo what ICN and ISNCC have long warned: without sustained and immediate workforce investment, quality, safety, continuity and timely access to cancer care are at risk.

No cancer plans without nurses

ICN has long advocated for transforming health systems towards integrated, people- centred care, which requires investing in nursing education, retention and empowerment and enabling nurses to work to their full scope of practice.

ICN President José Luis Cobos Serrano said:

“The report’s title, The Future We Choose Together, is exactly right. We cannot continue to accept avoidable deaths, unequal treatment outcomes, and unacceptable working conditions for health professionals. It is time to choose a future in which cancer care is equitable, person-centred and accessible and the nursing and health workforce is fully supported and empowered.

Nurses are the largest part of the health workforce, the most trusted health professionals, and often the first, most frequent and most continuous point of contact for people affected by cancer. Across the cancer journey, they provide prevention education, vaccination, screening, early detection, treatment support, psychosocial care, rehabilitation, coordination and palliative care.

Leaders must make the choice to structurally enable nurses through funded nursing workforce plans, safe staffing, decent working conditions, and continued education and leadership roles. That is how nurses can transform health systems to deliver care that reaches people earlier, supports positive treatment outcomes, reduces suffering, and protects dignity at every stage.”

Specialist cancer nursing is essential to quality, safety and equity

The WHO report recognizes the increasing complexity of cancer care, including rapid advances in diagnostics, systemic therapies, radiotherapy, digital tools and supportive care. This makes specialist cancer expertise especially critical.

ISNCC President Lena Sharp commented:

“Specialist cancer nurses play a vital role in translating advances in cancer treatment into safe, effective, compassionate care.

The experiences described in the report must guide action. People with cancer are not only facing a diagnosis; many are facing fear, financial hardship, psychological distress, fragmented services and uncertainty about the future. Cancer nurses are often the professionals who stay alongside patients and families throughout this journey, explaining treatment, managing symptoms, and helping people to navigate complex systems and health decisions.

Governments and health systems must invest in cancer nursing education, continuing professional development, advanced practice roles, nurse-led services and nursing leadership in cancer policy. Every cancer service should have functioning multidisciplinary team structures that include nursing expertise, because high-quality cancer care depends on the full team.”

Palliative care is core cancer care, including for children

The WHO report’s emphasis on the full cancer care pathway reinforces that palliative care is an essential component of quality cancer care, including pain and symptom control, emotional and spiritual support, communication, family support, rehabilitation and quality of life. Palliative care is also embedded in ICN’s Definition of nursing, reflecting nurses’ and health professionals’ responsibility to relieve suffering, promote comfort and support people and families throughout illness.

ICPCN Chief Executive Julia Downing said:

“The stories and lived experiences reflected in the report remind us that cancer is not just a disease of older age. It also affects children and has impacts on their whole family. Parents, siblings and caregivers often carry enormous emotional, practical and financial burdens. Children’s palliative care provides vital support to children and families from diagnosis, throughout treatment, into survivorship, or through end-of-life care and bereavement when cure is not possible.

‘Every national cancer control plan must include children’s palliative care, access to pain relief, trained nurses within multidisciplinary teams, and family-centred models of care. The ICPCN’s Close the Gap Campaign is calling for palliative care to be available for children everywhere. Equity in cancer care means ensuring that every child, everywhere in the world, can receive both the best possible treatment and the best possible care.”

ICN, ISNCC and ICPCN call on governments, health systems, international agencies and partners to act on the WHO report by making immediate and sustained investments in nursing and multidisciplinary cancer workforces across the full continuum of care.

The future we choose together must be one in which care is valued as highly as cure; where nurses and other health professionals are valued, enabled, protected from burnout and empowered to lead; and where children and adults have access to safe, effective care, including palliative care, no matter where they live or what they can afford.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 140 national nurses associations representing the 30 million nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses and leading nursing internationally, ICN works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.

The International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) is an international membership organization of oncology nurse leaders dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people at risk for or living with cancer, promoting the nurse's role in improving cancer care, and developing nursing leadership in cancer care delivery.

The International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) is the only global organization working to improve access to palliative care for the more than 21 million children worldwide who need it. ICPCN is recognized as the world leader in children’s palliative care (CPC) and has a globally renowned expert leadership, a wealth of educational resources and a network of members in over 140 countries.

In this issue of ISNCC Academic Express, we highlight reflections from a nursing education research team at The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, on conducting the revised eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS-R) survey among more than 1,000 nursing students using English and Chinese versions. The project explored students’ readiness to evaluate online health information, use interactive digital tools, and apply digital resources in clinical decision-making.

This work is particularly relevant to oncology nursing practice, as patients and families increasingly rely on digital sources for information about cancer prevention, screening, treatment, symptom management, and survivorship. The survey provides valuable insights into how nursing education can strengthen students’ ability to identify misinformation, assess the credibility of online resources, and communicate complex information with clarity and compassion. Developing these competencies will help future nurses deliver patient-centred, evidence-based cancer care in a rapidly evolving digital health environment.

Conducting the revised eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS‑R) survey among nursing students in Hong Kong was a meaningful experience that deepened our understanding of digital health literacy in nursing education. More than 400 students completed the English version and over 600 completed the Chinese version, generating a substantial bilingual dataset that reflected the multicultural context of Hong Kong’s nursing education. Beyond its methodological value, the survey prompted reflection on how well future nurses are prepared to support patients in an increasingly digital healthcare environment.

The original eHealth Literacy Scale was developed when digital health resources were less complex and less embedded in everyday practice. Today, nursing students must navigate online platforms, mobile applications, social media, and artificial intelligence tools. The original scale no longer fully captures the competencies required in contemporary healthcare. In response, a team of experts and educators produced the revised eHEALS‑R, which assesses students’ ability to evaluate online information, use interactive digital tools, and apply digital resources in clinical decision‑making. Using this updated scale allowed us to examine students’ digital readiness in a way that is more relevant to current nursing practice.

The relevance of eHealth literacy becomes particularly clear in cancer care. Patients and families often search online for information about prevention, screening, treatment, symptom management, and survivorship. However, the quality of online cancer information varies widely, and misinformation may create confusion, anxiety, or inappropriate health decisions. Nurses, as frontline educators and advocates, need to help patients identify reliable resources and interpret complex information. In this sense, the eHEALS‑R survey did more than measure students’ digital skills; it offered insight into their future capacity to provide accurate, patient‑centred cancer education.

From an educational perspective, the survey reinforced the need to integrate eHealth literacy more explicitly into nursing curricula, particularly in oncology and palliative care modules. For example, when learning about cancer screening or chemotherapy‑related symptom management, students should not only understand clinical guidelines but also critically appraise online patient education materials. The findings may help identify areas where students require further support, such as judging credibility, recognizing misinformation, and translating digital information into clear and compassionate patient education.

This project strengthened our appreciation of the close connection between research, education, and clinical practice. Managing a large bilingual survey required organization, ethical sensitivity, and attention to student engagement. More importantly, it encouraged us to reflect on how research findings can inform curriculum development and ultimately influence patient outcomes. By assessing and strengthening nursing students’ eHealth literacy, we are also enhancing their ability to provide reliable cancer information, reduce the impact of misinformation, and empower patients to make informed health decisions.

In conclusion, the eHEALS‑R survey was more than an academic exercise. It provided valuable insight into nursing students’ preparedness to function as digital health educators, especially in cancer care. The experience reinforced the importance of embedding eHealth literacy into nursing education as a foundation for effective communication, patient empowerment, and evidence‑based practice. Equipping future nurses with these skills is essential for delivering compassionate, reliable, and digitally informed cancer care in an era shaped by rapidly evolving health information.

In this issue of ISNCC Academic Express, we highlight research led by Prof. Kailei Yan from the College of Nursing, University of Central Florida, USA. The study examines anxiety trajectories among cancer patients receiving active treatment and identifies factors associated with persistent anxiety.

This research underscores that anxiety during cancer treatment is not one-size-fits-all. By assessing emotional distress over time and supporting patients’ coping self-efficacy, oncology nurses can identify high-risk patients earlier, address anxiety alongside physical symptoms, and promote patient-centred, evidence-based cancer care.

Why we chose this research topic?

Anxiety remains a common and clinical important concern in cancer care. It is especially relevant during active treatment, when many patients experience clinically significant anxiety that may persist, worsen co-existing symptoms, reduce quality of life, and contribute to poorer adjustment and health outcomes. For many patients, it is part of the treatment experience itself. However, anxiety does not look the same for everyone. For cancer nurses, this means anxiety care cannot be “one-size-fits-all.”

What we discovered?

Our study confirmed that cancer patients on active treatments showed different anxiety trajectories over time. Some patients had consistently low anxiety, some had moderate and relatively stable anxiety, and many experienced high anxiety throughout treatment. Younger patients were more likely to be in the high-anxiety group. Patients with stronger cancer coping self-efficacy were more likely to have lower anxiety over time.

We also found that anxiety was closely connected with the broader symptom experience. Patients in the high-anxiety group more likely to report including depression, nausea, and difficulty concentrating. High anxiety group had higher number of symptoms, more symptom communication barrier. Importantly, high anxiety was also linked with poorer quality of life, more emergency department visits, more hospitalizations, and greater use of hospital resources.

Implication for cancer care

Anxiety can change over time, thus, nurses should assess emotional distress not only at diagnosis but throughout the treatment journey. Regular screening can help identify patients who are at risk for persistent or worsening anxiety and connect them with support earlier.

Our findings also suggest that cancer nurses should pay close attention to patients who may be more vulnerable, including younger adults and those with lower confidence in their ability to cope with cancer-related challenges. Nursing care can help strengthen coping self-efficacy through education, symptom-management guidance, emotional support, and practical strategies for managing uncertainty during treatment.

Because anxiety is closely tied to physical symptoms, it should be addressed as part of whole-person symptom management. Nurses can help patients manage symptom clusters by assessing anxiety alongside pain, fatigue, nausea, sleep disturbance, depression, and cognitive concerns. They can also reduce communication barriers by encouraging patients to report symptoms early and by creating timely opportunities to discuss emotional distress.

Overall, anxiety management should be viewed as an essential component of high-quality cancer care. By identifying high-risk patients early, supporting coping skills, improving symptom communication, and coordinating timely referrals, nurses can help improve patients’ quality of life and may also reduce avoidable emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and healthcare resource use.

Source：

 Yan, K., Kim, E., Small, B., Wang, H. L., Elliott, A., & Loerzel, V. (2026). Anxiety trajectories in cancer patients during active treatments: Clusters, influencing factors, and impact on quality of life and health service utilization. Journal of affective disorders, 408, 121900. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2026.121900. 

In this issue of the ISNCC Academic Express column, we highlight research led by Jianfei Xie and colleagues from China, published in the Journal of Nursing Management. The study applies machine learning to predict nursing interruption during medication administration, a key patient safety challenge in cancer care.

By identifying major workplace and personal risk factors and developing practical prediction tools, the research supports proactive risk management and safer medication practices. This study provides valuable insights for oncology nursing practice and contributes to improving the quality and safety of patient-centred cancer care.

Why We Chose This Research Topic?

Oncology nurses handle high-alert medications under immense cognitive load. As the final safeguard before patient contact, nurses intercept up to 86% of potential errors. However, 99% report being interrupted during medication tasks, with each interruption increasing error risk by 13%. 

Despite these high stakes, current clinical management relies heavily on retrospective reporting. To bridge this gap, we developed a machine learning prediction model to shift from reactive monitoring to proactive risk stratification, empowering nurses and safeguarding cancer care.

What We Discovered?

Surveying 4,758 clinical nurses across 12 Chinese tertiary hospitals, we found that 52.1% experienced at least one NIMA event during their latest shift. Using machine learning algorithms, we identified 18 key predictors of NIMA. The Logistic Regression model performed best, achieving an AUC of 0.748.

Interestingly, the most significant predictors were interpersonal demands, specifically, the needs of doctors, patients, and patients' families. Furthermore, nurses' personal factors, such as high resignation intention and lower general self-efficacy, significantly increased interruption risks. To bridge the gap between complex algorithms and clinical utility, we translated our findings into an 18-variable nomogram and a simplified 5-variable interactive web-based calculator for rapid bedside assessment.

Implications for Cancer Care

Our findings offer highly actionable insights for oncology nursing:

1.Proactive Risk Management: Using our 5-variable web calculator, managers can conduct rapid bedside assessments to identify nurses at high risk of NIMA. This enables a crucial shift from reactive incident reporting to proactive risk management, allowing for targeted supervision and optimized staffing before errors occur.

2.Managing Interpersonal Demands: Since demands from doctors, patients, and families are primary drivers of NIMA, oncology wards must implement structural interventions. Establishing “no-interruption zones” during chemotherapy preparation and streamlining interdisciplinary communication can effectively shield nurses from non-urgent requests, ultimately protecting their cognitive focus.

3.Supporting Nurses’ Well-being: Oncology nursing carries a profound emotional burden. The strong link between turnover intention, self-efficacy, and NIMA proves that patient safety is deeply intertwined with psychological health. By providing targeted psychosocial support and addressing oncology-specific burnout, managers can foster professional confidence, reduce medication errors, and retain invaluable staff.

By leveraging data-driven tools, we can create safer work environments, protect our oncology nurses from cognitive overload, and ultimately ensure the highest standard of care for our patients.

Reference:

Dong, X., et al. Identifying Nurses at Risk of Nursing Interruptions During Medication Administration Using Machine Learning: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Nursing Management, 2026, 4433675.

Jianfei Xie (Corresponding Author)

To promote academic exchange and advance oncology nursing practice, the Academic Express column invites ISNCC members to share their latest research achievements with the global cancer nursing community. In recognition of World No Tobacco Day on May 31,  this issue highlights a recent multicentre randomized controlled trial led by William Ho Cheung Li from The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, which explores the use of mobile instant messaging to deliver brief motivational interviewing with individualized motivational support for smoking cessation among patients with noncommunicable diseases who had no intention to quit smoking. This study provides valuable insights into how digital, patient-centred interventions can support health behaviour change and strengthen the role of nurses in cancer prevention, chronic disease management, and equitable care.

Smoking remains one of the most significant yet preventable contributors to poor health outcomes among people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer. A recent multicenter randomized controlled trial titled Instant messaging delivered brief motivational interviewing for noncommunicable disease patients with no intention to quit smoking provides timely and compelling evidence that patients who initially have no intention of quitting can still be engaged through innovative and patient centered digital interventions.

A defining strength of this trial is its focus on a population often overlooked in smoking cessation research and clinical practice. Smokers with NCD who report no intention to quit are frequently perceived as non-receptive and therefore excluded from conventional cessation programs. Yet this group represents a substantial proportion of patients encountered in oncology and chronic disease settings. In this trial, 728 adults with NCDs, including cancer, were randomized to receive either usual care or a novel intervention combining a single ten-minute face-to-face brief motivational interviewing (MI) session with individualized motivational support delivered via mobile instant messaging over six months. Participants in the intervention group were approximately three times more likely to achieve biochemically validated smoking abstinence at six and twelve months compared with those receiving usual care.

One particularly notable feature of the intervention is its pragmatic and respectful design. Rather than requiring participants to focus immediately on smoking, individuals were first encouraged to select another unhealthy behavior, such as diet, physical inactivity, or alcohol use, that they were more willing to address. This foot-in-the-door approach aligns closely with MI principles by respecting patient autonomy and readiness to change while reducing psychological resistance. Such flexibility is especially relevant in cancer care, where patients often face substantial physical, emotional, and cognitive burdens related to diagnosis and treatment.

The implications for cancer care are substantial. Tobacco use remains a major modifiable risk factor for cancer progression, treatment complications, disease recurrence, second primary cancer, and mortality. Continued smoking has been associated with reduced treatment effectiveness and poorer survival outcomes, whereas cessation after a cancer diagnosis may improve treatment response, reduce treatment-related adverse effects, and enhance quality of life. Despite this strong evidence base, many people living with cancer continue to smoke and frequently express ambivalence or no intention to quit. The intervention tested in this trial offers a feasible and compassionate way to engage this challenging group without provoking disengagement or resistance.

From an oncology nursing perspective, the intervention model is practical and scalable. It requires minimal time, limited resources, and can be delivered effectively by trained nurses within routine clinical workflows. The use of mobile instant messaging enables timely, real-time, personalized communication that extends professional support beyond clinical settings. For patients undergoing cancer treatment, who may experience fatigue, frequent appointments, and psychosocial stress, this flexible mode of care is particularly valuable.

In conclusion, this trial highlights the pivotal role of oncology nurses in delivering digitally enabled brief MI and demonstrates how nurse-led innovation can advance person-centered and equitable cancer care worldwide.

Source：

Ho, L. L. K., Chan, D. N. S., Chung, J. O. K., Choi, K. C., Xia, W., & Li, W. H. C. (2026). Instant messaging-delivered brief motivational interviewing for noncommunicable disease patients with no intention to quit smoking. NPJ digital medicine, 10.1038/s41746-026-02578-6. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-026-02578-6

Prof. William Ho Cheung Li

During China’s 32nd National Cancer Prevention and Control Awareness Week, initiated by the China Anti-Cancer Association, the Oncology Nursing Committee of the Chinese Nursing Association, an ISNCC member, actively mobilized its network of oncology nursing institutions to conduct cancer prevention and health education activities in hospitals and communities across the country.

The initiative aimed to raise public awareness of cancer prevention and control, strengthen community understanding of cancer care, and promote the dissemination of evidence-based health knowledge. Activities included outreach by oncology nursing experts to grassroots communities, health education lectures, free medical consultations, nursing consultations, public education sessions, and the distribution of cancer prevention and health education materials.

The campaign was carried out across 27 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China. In total, 511 activities were organized, involving 10,079 healthcare professionals and reaching approximately 1.57 million people, including cancer patients, family members, and members of the general public.

Through these efforts, oncology nurses played an important role in promoting cancer prevention awareness, encouraging healthy lifestyle practices, and supporting cancer prevention and control initiatives at both hospital and community levels. This initiative also reflects the shared commitment of ISNCC members to advancing cancer nursing, promoting public health education, and contributing to cancer prevention and control efforts worldwide.

To foster global knowledge sharing and support evidence-informed oncology nursing practice, Academic Express features recent research contributed by ISNCC members and colleagues worldwide. This issue presents a qualitative study by Dr. David Asakitogum and co-authors, exploring women’s experiences with traditional medicine in the treatment of cervical cancer in Accra, Ghana. By highlighting how cultural beliefs, access barriers, cost, and trust shape care-seeking decisions, this study offers valuable insights for oncology nurses striving to provide safe, respectful, and culturally responsive cancer care.

Why We Chose This Topic

TM including herbal medicine, complementary and alternative medicine, is deeply embedded in many African communities. However, TM use is often under‑reported in clinical settings, creating safety risks and care gaps. As oncology researchers, we chose this topic to amplify women’s voices and to better understand how TM, access barriers, and cost influence cancer‑related health decisions. Understanding these experiences is essential for delivering compassionate, culturally responsive, and safe cancer care.

What We Discovered

Interview findings revealed that women commonly used herbal medicines, prayer, and intravaginal insertion of substances to manage signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. Many initiated TM before receiving a definitive diagnosis, relying on symptom‑based advice from herbalists, friends, or faith leaders. Herbal preparations were often self‑prepared and administered orally, by bathing, or through vaginal douching.  While some women reported symptom improvement, others experienced worsening conditions that delayed hospital treatment. Cost, accessibility, trust, and faith strongly influenced TM use.

Call to Action for Oncology Nursing Practice  

Oncology nurses worldwide are uniquely positioned to lead safer, more culturally responsive cervical cancer care by openly addressing traditional medicine use in clinical practice. Nurses must routinely and respectfully assess patients’ use of herbal remedies, spiritual healing, and intravaginal practices, recognizing these as integral to women’s health beliefs rather than peripheral behaviors. By fostering non‑judgmental dialogue, providing targeted education to dispel harmful misconceptions, and partnering with community stakeholders such as traditional medicine practitioners and faith leaders, oncology nurses can reduce delays in diagnosis, prevent unsafe treatment practices, and advocate for patient safety. Embracing this expanded role is essential for advancing equity, improving outcomes, and strengthening global efforts toward cervical cancer prevention and control.

David Asakitogum, PhD, M.Phil., RN, Ataribuno Cervix Foundation, Ghana

Source：

Asakitogum, D. A., Ohene, L. A., & Aziato, L. (2026). Women’s experiences with traditional medicine for the treatment of cervical cancer: A qualitative study. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.

The International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) is proud to contribute to two recent Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Courses (MCMCs) with City Cancer Challenge (C/Can), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition — advancing our shared mission to improve equitable access to quality cancer care worldwide.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia | 19–21 November 2025
Represented by Prof Winnie So, ISNCC President, who delivered lectures, joined discussion forums, and met with medical and nursing teams to share expertise on strengthening cancer care through multidisciplinary approach and reinforcing the pivotal role of oncology nurses in multidisciplinary cancer management.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | 19–21 March 2026
Represented by Dr Dorothy Chan, ISNCC Board of Director, who contributed as a global nursing expert, engaging in interdisciplinary dialogue and capacity-building activities with local healthcare teams.

Through these collaborations, ISNCC continues to champion the essential role of cancer nurses in multidisciplinary cancer management, fostering partnerships that bring us closer to global cancer control and health equity.