Message from the President | World Cancer Day
Today, on World Cancer Day, we unite under the theme ‘United by Unique’ - a reminder that every experience with cancer is deeply personal, and that true progress in cancer care comes when we see beyond the disease to the people behind it. As cancer nurses, we play a pivotal role in ensuring that every patient’s journey is met with expert care, compassion, and advocacy.
At CNSA, our commitment to person-centred care is reflected in everything we do. In 2025, we will continue this work by advancing key initiatives that support both our members and the broader cancer community. We are working closely with key stakeholders on the development and implementation of the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program, National Nursing Workforce Strategy and the Australian Cancer Plan as they gain momentum. I encourage you to engage with our upcoming webinars that will provide clarity on various elements of these national initiatives.
This year also marks the launch of several significant projects that will strengthen the cancer nursing profession. You may be aware of our partnership with Flinders University, through which we are proud to be developing a revised and redeveloped Cancer Nursing Capability Framework which will provide updated guidance for professional practice. You’ll hear more about this in the coming months.
June 2025 will see the launch of the Cancer Nursing Workforce Survey, an essential opportunity to assess how our profession has evolved over the past four years - examining workforce trends, demographic shifts, and emerging challenges. The data we gather will be instrumental in shaping policies and advocacy efforts, ensuring that the needs of cancer nurses remain at the forefront of healthcare planning.
This year also brings exciting opportunities for professional development and connection. In June, we will co-host the CNSA ISNCC 2025 Congress with the theme Global Voices, Local Actions: From Inspiration to Implementation, providing a global platform to showcase Australian cancer nursing expertise and engage with our international colleagues. And on August 14, we will celebrate Cancer Nurses Day - a time to recognise and honour the invaluable contributions of cancer nurses across the country. Both of these events reflect the theme of this year’s World Cancer Day - celebrating our shared commitment while recognising the diverse and specialised skills that each of us brings to cancer care.
To our 2100+ members, and to the wider cancer nursing workforce, this World Cancer Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to uniting as a profession to create a future where every person impacted by cancer receives the best possible care.
Kind regards,
Anne Mellon
CNSA President
