Australia’s first Cancer Nurses Day: A salute to unsung heroes amidst a looming crisis

Medical & Science: Australia will mark its inaugural Cancer Nurses Day on Thursday, August 15th, honouring the exceptional contributions of cancer nurses nationwide and underscoring their crucial role in enhancing patient care.

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney MP remarked, “A cancer diagnosis is never easy; it’s a dark day for too many people each year. And I have had personal experience of this; my own family members and friends have had this horrible disease. It takes strength, skill, and specialist knowledge to be a cancer nurse and to help guide those people through some of the toughest moments of their lives.

“Australia’s cancer nurses provide vital information and support to patients and their families. They play an important role in guiding patients through their complex cancer diagnosis and treatment pathways.”

Recent data highlights a severe shortage of nurses, with an anticipated deficit of nearly 80,000 by 2035. This urgent situation underscores the need to acknowledge and support cancer nurses now more than ever.

Currently, Australia employs 7,700 cancer care nurses who are grappling with increasing workloads and the looming risk of burnout if workforce shortages are not addressed and investment in their future is not prioritised.

To spotlight the outstanding efforts of these professionals, the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) has introduced Cancer Nurses Day. The inaugural event, themed ‘Strong, Skilled, Specialised,’ celebrates the unique attributes of cancer nurses: Strong in support, Skilled in practice, and Specialised in knowledge.

Anne Mellon, President of CNSA, noted “As a cancer nurse, I see every day the difference nurses make to cancer patients’ experiences of care. We hear countless stories about how a cancer nurse has had a profound impact on their lives, but we rarely take the time to recognise and celebrate this contribution. In the face of the current workforce challenges, now more than ever it is time to recognise the rewarding work of being a cancer nurse.”

With over 1 million Australians currently living with or having lived with cancer, and many more affected as relatives or carers, cancer nurses offer compassionate support and expert care from diagnosis through recovery. Their specialised knowledge and dedication significantly influence positive outcomes and experiences for patients and their families.

Jemma Still, CEO of CNSA, expressed “CNSA, as the peak professional body for cancer nursing, is proud to launch this inaugural event to celebrate and champion our members and their impact on cancer care in Australia. We aim for this to become an annual event, recognising the incredible work of cancer nurses and their vital contribution to the health and wellbeing of all Australians.”

CNSA extends its heartfelt gratitude to all cancer nurses for their skills, expertise, and compassion. On Thursday, August 15th, show your support for cancer nurses by sharing your story on social media with the hashtag #CancerNursesDay.

In reimagining healthcare across the entire patient journey, Health Industry Hub^TM is the only one-stop-hub uniting the diversity of the Pharma, MedTech, Diagnostics & Biotech sectors to inspire meaningful change.

The Health Industry Hub^TM content is copyright protected. Access is available under individual user licenses. Please click here to subscribe and visit T&Cs here.