EUROPEAN CANCER NURSING DAY 2024: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF EONS

On 18 May, cancer nurses across Europe celebrated European Cancer Nursing Day (ECND24), with the theme "From Knowledge to Action: Shaping the Future of Cancer Nursing," marking the 40th anniversary of EONS. The event aimed to raise awareness of the important role of cancer nurses.

Nurses shared messages on social media using the hashtag #ECND24Shapethefuture, along with banners and key messages created by EONS.

Key events included a joint event with the Finnish Oncology Nursing Society on 16 May, focusing on innovations in cancer nursing, followed by a meeting of the EONS Working Groups and Board at Turku University, Finland, on 17 May.

European Commissioner Stella Kyriakides highlighted the crucial role of cancer nurses in improving patient care in a video message.

EONS continues to emphasise the importance of well-educated and supported cancer nurses in reducing the cancer burden and enhancing patient care. Let’s keep shaping the future of cancer nursing together!

Cindy Kenis, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Geriatric Oncology at UZ Leuven, Belgium, was the honorable winner of our "2024 Making an Impact in Cancer Nursing Award." Cindy's impressive career spans from nursing to academic achievements, including a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. She has pioneered innovative research projects and expanded geriatric oncology care at UZ Leuven, focusing on Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and international guideline development. Cindy's contributions to the field, including numerous publications and leadership within the International Society of Geriatric Oncology, exemplify her dedication to improving patient care and advancing nursing practices.

The team at The Medical Oncology Unit in Slovenia won this year's competition for their outstanding video showcasing innovative workshops in thoracic organ cancer treatment. Led by Shpresa Sopaj and Anela Muratović, the unit emphasises personalised patient care through modern systemic therapies and participation in international clinical trials. Their comprehensive approach includes patient education, clinical study involvement, and the production of educational materials for both patients and nurses. The team's commitment to continuous education and development in oncology nursing is reflected in their active participation in seminars, congresses, and workshops.

Both winners will receive complimentary registration to the EONS17Conference in Barcelona in September 2024, recognising their contributions to cancer nursing. Thank you to all other entrants for your participation and dedication.

The EONS Early Career Research Grant 2024, offering up to €2500, is still open for applications. This grant aims to support early-career cancer nurses in conducting research projects within their practice. Open to EONS members, applicants must be early-career cancer nurses with less than ten years of clinical experience, holding a pre-doctoral degree or having defended their PhD within the past 12 months. Proposals should prioritise nurses working in clinical settings, and preference will be given to those without a previous EONS grant.

Application Deadline: 31 July 2024

In her comprehensive article, Irati Rodriguez Matesanz, APRN, FNP-BC, outlines the significance of Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) in oncology and advocates for its development and integration across Europe. APNs, including Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists, are distinguished by their advanced education and clinical competencies, which enhance patient care through diagnosis, treatment, and management. Despite their proven benefits in improving healthcare access, quality, and patient outcomes globally, Europe lags in adopting these roles compared to other regions. Matesanz emphasises the critical role of APNs in addressing current healthcare challenges such as ageing populations and increasing cancer incidences, highlighting the need for policy support to expand their implementation in European healthcare systems.

The EONS General Meeting was held online on Monday, June 17, from 18:00 to 20:00 CET. Full members, including EONS National Oncology Nursing Societies and individual EONS members, were invited to attend. During the meeting, participants approved updates to the EONS Constitution and the audited accounts for 2023. Draft minutes and presentations from the meeting will be available on the EONS website soon.

The Cancer Nursing Fund (CNF) is offering a bursary scheme for 10 cancer nurses to attend EONS17, with a deadline approaching on June 28th. Four of these grants will be allocated to the host country, the Spanish National Society. Each applicant can receive EUR 650 to cover travel (economy airfare or train), accommodation, and/or registration fees for EONS17. Apply soon to take advantage of this opportunity!

Please REGISTER HERE for the EONS17 Congress from from 14 - 16 September 2024 at the Fira Gran Via (pictured), in Barcelona, Spain. In this special anniversary year our theme is ‘40 Years of European Cancer Nursing – Shaping the Future of Healthcare’. The EONS17 Preliminary Programme is now available – Find out more about our high-quality sessions, notable speakers, and celebratory events.

The 5th EONS PhD Research Workshop took place from the 3rd to the 5th of June 2024 at the Ghent University Hospital and the University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University. This workshop was designed for oncology nurses at any stage of their doctoral studies to network with other PhD students and improve their knowledge, confidence, and expertise in oncology nursing research. Over three days, participants discussed, developed, and shared ideas, gaining European perspectives on their research within a supportive learning environment. The event provided a platform to enhance research skills and broaden academic and professional networks, fostering collaboration and growth in oncology nursing research. The facilitators were Sara Colomer-Lahiguera, Maura Dowling, Susana Miguel, and Eva Pape.

Some comments from participants at the Workshop:

Nikolas Politis from Greece was awarded the ESO-EONS Clinical Fellowship for Cancer Nurses 2024 and he undertook his fellowship at the Champalimaud Clinical Centre in Lisbon, Portugal. His comprehensive report on the fellowship experience is now available. To read more about his journey and insights, please visit our website or download the full report as a PDF.

We invite you to participate in a short survey to help us understand the availability and integration of Subcutaneous Anti-Cancer Therapies (SACT) across Europe. Your feedback is key in shaping the future of cancer care, so please take a moment to share your experiences here. Additionally, if you missed our recent webinar on 'The Ongoing Expansion of Subcutaneous Anti-Cancer Therapies (SACT),' the full video is now available on our YouTube channel here. These collaborative efforts between EONS and Roche aim to redefine cancer treatment in 2024, emphasising the important role of nurses in patient care. As cancer rates rise, your dedication is more important than ever. Join us in making a difference.

EHTG-N Nursing Group & Conference:

The European Hereditary Nursing Group

Join the European Hereditary Nursing Group for their conference. Laura Monje-Garcia and her nursing colleagues in the EHTG-N organising committee are working with the EHTG (European Hereditary Tumour Group) to develop a dedicated nursing group within EHTG. Laura has been elected to the EHTG board as the first nurse representative

The EHTG annual conference will be held in September (online), featuring a dedicated nurse symposium. They are now accepting abstracts for oral presentation.The EHTG-N organising committee are available to assist anyone who may be submitting an abstract for the first time or who has previously submitted an abstract that was not accepted. This is a great opportunity to showcase the novel services developed by nurses in Europe in hereditary cancers.

NOT A MEMBER YET? JOIN EONS!

Interested in joining EONS? Whether as a new individual, society, or associate member, you can join at any time during the year by filling out the online application form found on the membership webpage. We warmly encourage you to join us and spread the word to your friends and colleagues about EONS. Membership offers numerous opportunities to enhance your education, advance your career, and stay updated on the latest research. Visit our homepage to connect with us on social media and stay informed about our upcoming events and initiatives.

LUNG CANCER DRUG SHOWS UNPRECEDENTED TRIAL RESULTS

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A new lung cancer drug, lorlatinib, has demonstrated remarkable success in clinical trials, significantly improving patient outcomes and reducing tumour sizes. Data presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago showed that more than half of patients (60%) diagnosed with advanced forms of lung cancer who took lorlatinib were still alive five years later with no progression in their disease, compared to just 8% in patients treated with a standard drug. These results represent the longest progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes ever recorded in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, the world's most common form of the disease. Doctors are describing the results as "off the charts," offering new hope for lung cancer patients and potentially revolutionising treatment protocols.

FEATURE OF PREVCAN CAMPAIGN ON CANCERWORLD MAGAZINE

In a recent article, Lena Sharp, past-president of the EONS and from the Regional Cancer Centre in Stockholm, discussed the critical role of oncologists and cancer nurses in delivering prevention messages. She spearheaded the PrEvCan campaign, a year-long initiative involving 66 organisations across 22 countries. This campaign aimed to enhance public awareness and equip healthcare professionals with tools to effectively communicate cancer prevention strategies based on the European Code Against Cancer.

NEW TRANSLATIONS OF THE EBMT NURSES TEXTBOOK NOW AVAILABLE!

Discover the latest Open Access Second Edition of the EBMT Nurses Textbook, endorsed by the EBMT, tailored for both adult and paediatric nurses in transplant nursing. This comprehensive guide includes a new chapter on cellular therapy and covers essential topics from basic principles to advanced concepts. Authored by nurse experts, it serves as a vital resource for educating nurses new to transplantation and offers valuable updates for experienced practitioners.

A NEW BLOOD MATTERS EPISODE IS HERE!

Don’t miss the latest episode of blood matters, addressing an age old problem in 2024. In episode 13 of our podcast, Emma and Hilda delve into Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections with experts Ton Van Boxtel and Christel Janssens, covering prevalence, prevention strategies, and insights for healthcare professionals, particularly in transplant settings. Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

Don’t miss the recent issue of The European Journal of Oncology Nursing (EJON), an international journal which publishes research of direct relevance to patient care, nurse education, management and policy development. It is packed full of interesting articles that will help you improve your cancer nursing knowledge and practice. As an EONS member you can read it FREE.

LUNG CANCER HIGHLIGHTS WEBINAR

Don't miss the lung cancer highlights from the ASCO Annual Meeting 2024! Join SPCC on Monday, 24th June 2024, at 4:30 pm CEST for insights from leading experts:

SIOP 2024 56th Congress of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology

Mark your calendars for the SIOP 2024 56th Congress of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology, which will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, from October 17-20, 2024. Register for the congress here.

Save the date for the CANO/ACIO 2024 Annual Conference, happening October 24th to 27th, 2024, at the St. John's Convention Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Register for the conference through the following link: CANO/ACIO 2024 Annual Conference Registration Page.

The ICML conference program, taking place from June 17 to June 21, 2025, will feature a dedicated session on oncology nursing. This session is specifically designed for specialised nurses, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. We are also excited to share that EONS Board Member Matt Fowler will be representing EONS at this conference. Stay tuned for more updates!