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.

We are thrilled to announce the International Conference on Cancer Nursing (ICCN2025), taking place from June 18-21, 2025, in beautiful Adelaide, Australia. This year's conference theme, Global Voices, Local Actions: from Inspiration to Implementation, emphasizes the vital role that cancer nurses play in transforming ideas into impactful actions worldwide. 

Event Details: 
DATES:  June 18-21, 2025 
LOCATION:  Adelaide Convention Centre, Australia
THEME: Global Voices, Local Actions: from inspiration to Implementation

ICCN2025, co-hosted by the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC)and the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA), is set to be a remarkable event. It will bring together leading experts, practitioners, and researchers from across the globe to share insights, exchange ideas, and discuss innovative approaches to cancer care and nursing. 

Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about registration, keynote speakers, and program highlights. We look forward to welcoming you to Adelaide for what promises to be an enriching and collaborative experience. 

Mark your calendars and join us for this extraordinary event. Together, we can drive progress in cancer nursing, turning inspiration into meaningful action. 

About The International Conference on Cancer Nursing (ICCN) 

The International Conference on Cancer Nursing (ICCN) hosted by ISNCC is the longest running international conference for our profession and offers a unique opportunity to meet with international cancer nursing leaders from around the world, in one place, at one time. 

This meeting focuses on all aspects of oncology nursing and our ability to impact patients, families, communities and nations through clinical practice, education, health policy, leadership and research. Through scholarly discourse, networking and collaboration among oncology nursing educators, practitioners, researchers, and leaders from across the globe, ICCN showcases the remarkable work and dedication of nurses involved in cancer care. 

We are pleased to announce that David Makumi-Kinyanjui has been appointed to the ISNCC Board of Directors. David brings over 15 years of extensive experience in oncology nursing and cancer care advocacy, making him a valuable addition to our leadership team. 

As the CEO of Faraja Cancer Support Trust in Kenya, David provides strategic leadership to a multidisciplinary team dedicated to offering free complementary services to both adult and pediatric cancer patients.  

David's impressive career includes numerous leadership roles, such as serving on the Board of Trustees for the National Cancer Institute of Kenya and the World Health Organization’s Expert Technical Advisory Group on Cervical Cancer Eradication. He has also been a Goodwill Ambassador for the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, contributing to its mission both locally and internationally. 

David's experience and leadership have been instrumental in advancing the oncology nursing field, particularly in Africa, and his appointment to the ISNCC Board of Directors is a testament to his dedication and impact. We are confident that his strategic vision and advocacy will greatly benefit our organization and the global oncology community. 

Please join us in congratulating David Makumi-Kinyanjui on his new role! 

On behalf of the Nominations and Awards Committee, it is my great pleasure to announce the outcomes of the election for two Executive and three Director Portfolio positions on the ISNCC Board of Directors.

President Elect: Lena Sharp, Head of Department, Regional Cancer Center Stockholm-Gotland, Sweden

Lena Sharp, RN, PhD, is the Head of Department at The Regional Cancer Centre, Stockholm-Gotland, in Sweden. She is the former President of EONS, former chair of EONS advocacy working group and the project leader for the PrEvCan initiative. Lena has been a cancer nurse since 1985. She has long experience in clinical cancer nursing, leadership, teaching and research.

Prior to taking up her post at the Regional Cancer Centre, Lena Sharp was the chief nursing officer and patient safety coordinator at the Department of Oncology at Karolinska University Hospital. Her main focus areas in cancer nursing research are patient safety, communication, leadership, prevention, inequalities and cancer care organisation. She has experience in leading cancer prevention work, regionally, nationally and internationally, with particular focus on cancer related inequalities. Lena and her team received the 1st Health care equality award in Stockholm in 2018. In 2021 Lena was awarded The Robert Tiffany Award in cancer nursing and EONS Life-time Achievement Award.

Secretary / Treasurer: Catherine Johnson, Medical Oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Calvary Mater Newcastle, NSW Australia

Catherine Johnson is a clinical nurse and her career in cancer care spans 34 years; specialising in oncology and clinical trials. Catherine is the Clinical Nurse Consultant in Medical Oncology at Calvary Mater Newcastle; where she provides expert clinical advice and consultancy to patients, carers and other health care professionals within cancer services. Catherine is a past board member of the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA), the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) and the Editorial Board for the Australian Journal of Cancer Nursing. Catherine has a special interest in cancer care in low and middle income countries and has served as the project lead for the ISNCC Cervical and Breast Cancer Prevention and Screening Train the Trainer Project in Latin America and the Breast Aware: A train the trainer programme for nurses in Africa.

She has a strong interest in equity of access to efficient cancer services for patients with cancer. Other key interests include the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, supportive care and quality of life issues in cancer care and ensuring nurses and staff are adequately equipped to deliver quality care to meet the needs of their patients. She is also involved with a number of oncology projects on symptom management and supportive care as both principal investigator and co-investigator.

Communications Portfolio: Yuhan Lu, President of Oncology Nursing Committee of Chinese Nursing Association; Director of Nursing Department of Peking University Cancer Hospital

Ms. Yuhan LU, Associate Professor of Nursing, Director of Nursing Dept.,Peking University Cancer Hospital. She has been dedicated to cancer nursing for nearly 30 years and has rich experience in the field of cancer nursing and nursing management. She is also a Board Member of the Asian Oncology Nursing Society, President of Oncology Nursing Committee of the Chinese Nursing Association and the Beijing Nursing Association, Vice Chairperson of Oncology Nursing Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association. She also serves as an editorial board member and reviewer for many nursing journals. Over the past years, she has made outstanding contributions to promoting the communication and development of oncology nursing on national level in China.

Conference Management Portfolio: Suzanne Bishaw, Lecturer at Curtin University - Unit Coordinator for Undergraduate nursing units located in Perth and Mauritius. Lecturer Post-graduate nursing education in Perth and Singapore.

Suzanne Bishaw is a dedicated educator and leader in nursing education, currently serving as a Lecturer at Curtin University, where she coordinates undergraduate nursing units in Perth and Mauritius and lectures on post-graduate nursing education in Perth and Singapore.

In her role as Chair of the Conference Management Portfolio, Suzanne has successfully led the organization and delivery of both face-to-face and online international conferences in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Her ability to navigate the unique challenges of each year, coupled with her commitment to continuous learning and improvement, underscores her capability to lead a diverse team of volunteers globally. Suzanne's dedication and expertise make her an invaluable asset to the ISNCC Board of Directors.

Policy & Advocacy Portfolio: Julia Downing, CEO, International Children's Palliative Care Network (ICPCN); Professor of Palllative Care, Makarere University, Uganda

Julia Downing is a distinguished leader in cancer and palliative care, with over 30 years of dedicated service to the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC). She began her journey by presenting her first paper on the role of nurses in radiotherapy at an ISNCC conference and has since been an active participant. Julia's notable achievements include winning the ISNCC Robert Tiffany Lectureship Award in 2014 for her impactful work in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa.

In her roles within ISNCC, including Chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee, Julia has significantly influenced the development of key position statements and strategic policy initiatives. Her extensive international policy experience includes contributions to the World Health Assembly resolutions on palliative and cancer care and co-authoring the Lancet Commission report on palliative care and pain relief. Julia’s strong global network and collaborative approach make her an essential link in promoting ISNCC’s goals and fostering international partnerships.

The successful candidates will take up their board positions for a four-year term starting this month. They join other continuing members of the Board, including:

• Winnie So, President, China
• Lisa Kennedy-Sheldon, Membership Portfolio Director, United States
• Dorothy Chan, Knowledge Development & Dissemination Portfolio Director, China
• Josephine Visser, Corporate & Philanthropic Portfolio Director, United States

ISNCC wishes to thank and recognize outgoing members Patsy Yates, Linda Watson and Yongyi Chen for their leadership and outstanding contributions to the society over the past four years or more.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, congratulations to all new and continuing board members and we look forward to bringing news and exciting updates in future.

Author: Agnes Nonyem Anarado (PhD Nurs; RN, RM, RNE, FWAPCNM, MEMBER, AORTIC), Prof of Nursing (Rtd) Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus

The International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) was established in 1984 with a vision to lead the global nursing community in cancer control and a mission to maximize the influence of nursing to reduce the global burden of cancer. To actualize her vision and achieve her mission to foster the development of cancer nursing internationally, ISNCC established a donor sponsored travel grant scholarship programme. This Travel Grant scholarship enabled me attend the 2023 ICCN conference in Glasgow UK.

What/Who made the conference attendance possible? ”it’s Divine favour with humans as instruments”. First, the ISNCC Executive Board decision that the 2023 ICCN) conference shall be physical after three years virtual conferences. The only action I initiated was a joint abstract written and submitted with my supervisee for oral presentation at the conference. The abstract was accepted which qualifies us to apply for a travel grant. However, my co-author declined to be the abstract presenter and/or apply for the travel grant as she was not disposed to attend. I accepted both, and was awarded the travel grant scholarship. My perceived pencils in God’s hand that effected required actions were: ISNCC executive, abstract co-author, abstract shortlisting and Travel Grant selection committees’, the Travel Grant donor and the International conference Secretariat (ICS) that executed the Grant plan. The scholarship enabled my physical presence/presentation at this conference the accepted co-authored abstract entitled "Nurses Experiences of Compassion Fatigue in a Comprehensive Cancer Centre". I met face-to-face the ISNCC project team members I have been working with virtually, on "Breast Aware: A train the trainer programme for nurses in Africa", led by Catherine Johnson. I was also privileged to present at the conference the successful phase one report of the project with her. I was also privileged to witness the presentation at the conference another collaborative project on development of Africa Oncology Nursing Competencies, involving ISNCC and other national/international nursing associations’ members under AORTIC –Nursing Special Interest Group (SIG) of which I am a member. These Africa focused projects attest ISNCC mission to maximize the influence of nursing to reduce the global cancer burden in Africa.

I also appreciate the wealth of knowledge/experience gained from attending the Travel Grant Awardees’ invited meetings, highly educative Scientific/plenary/break-out sessions and the opening/closing ceremonies social events. The large number of young attendees especially from Asian countries and their presentations highly impressed me.

I thank the ISNCC Executive, Board of Directors, Conference Organizers, Sponsors, especially my Travel Grant sponsor, Attendees and all who assisted in driving forward the oncology nursing leadership worldwide in line with ISNCC vision. I enjoin fellow awardees to shout a loud ‘THANK YOU” The conference activities and travel couldn’t have been that exciting/stress-free without us all.

The way forward: I will:

1. offer the required nursing leadership support in mentorship, practice, education and research to drive the Breast Aware: TOT in Africa
2. lobby Boards of Nursing for inclusion of Breast Aware as a mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme for nurses.

Thank you