Nursing Excellence in Cancer Care - Cancer Nurses Society of Australia Podcast

Cancer nurses are on the front line as genetic testing goes mainstream. Host Bronwyn Jennings talks with genetic counsellor Dr Gabby Reed and gynaecological oncologist Professor Paul Cohen about spotting inherited cancer risk, germline vs tumour testing, referral pathways, and supporting patients and families through Inherited Cancer Australia. Inherited Cancer Australia resource centre: https://www.inheritedcancers.org.au/i-am-interested-in/resources-centre Inherited Cancer Australia healthcare professional webpage: https://www.inheritedcancers.org.au/i-am-interested-in/healthcare-professionals Inherited Cancers Awareness Day: https://www.inheritedcancers.org.au/icad-26

GI cancer nurses Alana Fitzgibbon (Hobart) and Catherine Trevaskis (Canberra) discuss the shift toward biomarker-driven care in gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancer, centred on the newly available targeted therapies — so nurses can help patients stay on treatment and receive the full benefit of this new personalised medicine. This is a member-only episode. Access the full podcast by entering your log in details at https://www.cnsa.org.au/

Australia’s cancer nursing workforce now has a contemporary national capability framework. In this episode hosted by CNSA CEO Jemma Still, Dr Carla Thamm, Professor Gemma McErlean, Nikki Dean and Dr Pammie Ellem reflect on why the Australian Cancer Nursing Capability Framework, or AusCaN Framework, was needed, how it was developed and what it could mean for cancer nurses, educators and health services. Building on the important legacy of the EdCaN Framework, AusCaN reflects the changing complexity and breadth of modern cancer nursing practice. The conversation explores the move from competency to capability, the Framework’s Essential, Specialised and Advanced levels, and its four domains of Clinical Practice, Education, Leadership and Management, and Research and Innovation. The panel also discusses how the Framework can support professional development, education, career pathways and workforce planning, and what CNSA will do to help bring it to life in practice.

This episode explores the rapidly evolving landscape of lung cancer treatment, from the removal of stigma in general practice to the emergence of targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and precision medicine. The panel discusses the critical role of the multidisciplinary team — particularly cancer nurses — in treatment coordination, toxicity management, and patient education, with a focus on meeting patients where they are across diverse cultural, social, and clinical backgrounds. Hosted by Melanie Rabbets, Oncology Nurse Practitioner at Blacktown Cancer Care, Western Sydney, and joined by Associate Professor Mal Itchins, Medical Oncologist and trialist at Royal North Shore Hospital and Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, and Dr Renae Grundy, Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Consultant at Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania. Sponsored by Pfizer.

In this episode of Nursing Excellence in Cancer Care, CNSA CEO Jemma Still and President Anne Mellon unpack why 2026 is a pivotal year for cancer nursing in Australia. They discuss workforce pressures and burnout, the redevelopment of the Australian Cancer Nursing Framework, national moves toward post‑graduate accreditation, and CNSA’s new cancer nursing education portal. Jemma and Anne also highlight practical tools like the GYNcare resource, the mentoring program, the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program, and upcoming events including Congress in Perth and Cancer Nurses Day, all designed to better support cancer nurses in all locations, and enhance care for people affected by cancer.

Jemma Still, CNSA CEO, has a candid conversation with palliative care nurses Holly Pitt and Kate Swetenham about the real, human side of end‑of‑life cancer care. They explore what palliative care nursing really involves, how oncology and palliative teams can work together, and practical ways to respond when patients and families ask confronting questions like “Am I dying?” – using curiosity, silence, honesty and kindness to support people at their most vulnerable. Resources available here: https://www.pcna.org.au/

In Episode 22, we explore the importance of communication with individuals living with cancer. Lisa Sheeran, a Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Consultant, and Maria Ftanou, the Director of the Psychosocial Oncology Unit at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, discuss "Oncology Unscripted: Guiding Patients through Cancer Treatment." They share best-practice examples for helping patients navigate their diagnosis whilst dealing with the complex and diverse emotions that arise during their diagnosis and treatment.

In this special podcast episode, our CEO, Jemma Still, leads a discussion on Sarcoma. Jemma is joined by medical oncologist Liz Connelly and Sarcoma CNC Emma Gardner, both from Peter MacCallum in Melbourne. Sarcoma is a rare and diverse cancer, and management can be complex. Liz, Emma, and Jem discuss the optimal way to help people living with sarcoma and where to find the help you need. https://sarcoma.org.au/

Join Jenny Gilchrist, Breast Oncology Nurse Practitioner at Macquarie University Hospital in Sydney, and Suzanne Frank, an Advanced Specialist Breast Cancer Pharmacist at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, UK as they delve into practical service redesign and ePROMS implementation in the adjuvant breast cancer clinic setting, sharing insights that can empower Australian Nurses to drive innovation and patient-centred care—even amidst challenging capacity and medicine rollout scenarios.

Today we discuss living with metastatic ovarian cancer and how as Nurses, we can support our patients transitioning to oral maintenance therapies. Lisa Peterson, CNC at GenesisCare St Leonards in Sydney, is joined by Dr. Sally Baron Hay, medical oncologist at Royal North Shore Hospital, North Shore Private Hospital, the Mater Hospital, Sydney and Esther White, CNC Cancer Care Coordinator at the Mater in Brisbane. https://www.cnsa.org.au/

Jemma Still, CEO of CNSA, Professor Catherine Paterson and Dr. Carla Thamm from Flinders University as well as Associate Professor Gemma McErlean from the University of Wollongong and St George Hospital discuss how and why we have redeveloped of the Australian Cancer Nursing Framework. From comprehensive research, feedback with our cancer nurse focus groups and the Education Standing Committee, the CNSA have grounded the framework in real-world practice baseline principles. Learn what the framework can do for you, and how a nurse at any level can use it to guide their development and career planning.

Advances in Treatments for Renal Cell Cancer: The Critical Role of Nurses In this episode, Claire Howatt, Nurse Unit Manager at the Day Oncology and Apheresis Unit at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, discuss recent treatment advancements for renal cell cancer. Joining her are Associate Professor David Pook from Cabrini Health and Cher Wang, Clinical Nurse Consultant at Olivia Newton-John. You will gain insights into the latest developments in renal cell carcinoma treatments and the essential role that nurses play in patient management and education. https://www.cnsa.org.au/

May is bladder cancer awareness month and our podcast is timely - Advances in bladder cancer treatment options and how these advances are changing patient treatment pathways. Christine la Rose, Patient and Support Lead for BEAT Bladder Cancer Australia is joined by Urologist & Robotic surgeon from Macquarie University Hospital and St George Hospital Sydney - Professor David Gillatt, Medical Oncologist from Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Macquarie University Hospital Sydney - Dr Alison Zhang and Medical Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Sydney - Annie McAlister. We explore the progress that has been made in treating bladder cancer and the impact of these treatments. www.beatbladdercanceraustralia.org.au

Immunotherapy continues to produce impressive outcomes in NSCLC and in this podcast we discuss some of the latest advances in this evolving area. Key publications and important considerations for patient care are discussed by Helen Westman, Lung Cancer Nurse Consultant at Royal North Shore Hospital Sydney, Dr Margie McGrath, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and Greenslopes Private Hospital in Brisbane and Julie Teraci, Clinical Nurse Consultant in Melanoma from the Cancer Network in WA. This is a member-only episode. Access the full podcast by entering your log in details here - https://www.cnsa.org.au/resource/episode-15-advances-in-lung-cancer-treatment-with-immunotherapy-the-nursing-perspective.html https://www.cnsa.org.au/learn/podcast.html

In this episode, Monique Blanchard, a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Radiation Oncology at Austin Health in Melbourne, poses a series of questions to Associate Professor Sweet Ping Ng and Dr Ee Sian Choong, Radiation Oncologists also from the Austin Radiation Oncology Centre, Melbourne. You'll learn about the significant advancements in improving imaging and radiation delivery techniques, including improvements in delivery design and stereotactic radiotherapy; how these new techniques are improving patient experiences; and the challenges and future of radiation oncology.

Jemma Still, CEO of CNSA and Anne Mellon, President of CNSA and Board Chair, share exciting CNSA updates and plans for 2025, including external environmental impacts. In this episode, we discuss crucial initiatives that every cancer nurse needs to know about, including the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program, the Cancer Nursing Career Pathway, and the upcoming National Cancer Nursing Workforce Survey. Plus, hear breaking news about a major new project and get the latest updates on upcoming CNSA events, member benefits, and more. Don’t forget to renew your CNSA Membership here - https://www.cnsa.org.au/crm-member-homepage/crm-my-subscriptions.html

Evolving new treatments for patients with urothelial carcinoma now include antibody drug conjugates. In this podcast we explore how these work, where they fit into the available treatment options and the patient management strategies particularly for the latest treatments available to Australian patients. Helen Anderson, Genitourinary Cancer Nurse Navigator at the Gold Coast University Hospital is joined by Alex Mitchell, Cancer Care Co Ordinator from the Mater Hospital, Brisbane.

CNSA resources: Vessel health and Preservation - CNSA - Cancer Nurses Society of Australia Position statement- https://www.cnsa.org.au/documents/item/1767 Microcredential course Principles and Practice for Difficult Venous Access | University of Wollongong - Australia (openlearning.com) References Ullman, A. J., Larsen, E., Gibson, V., Binnewies, S., Ohira, R., Marsh, N., ... & Kleidon, T. M. (2024). An mHealth application for chronic vascular access: A multi‐method evaluation. Journal of Clinical Nursing , 33 (5), 1762-1776. An mHealth application for chronic vascular access: A multi‐method evaluation - Ullman - 2024 - Journal of Clinical Nursing - Wiley Online Library Ullman, A. J., Gibson, V., Kleidon, T. M., Binnewies, S., Ohira, R., Marsh, N., ... & Larsen, E. (2024). An mHealth application for chronic vascular access: Consumer led co-creation. Journal of Pediatric Nursing , 76 , 68-75. An mHealth application for chronic vascular access: Consumer led co-creation - ScienceDirect Ivziku, D., Gualandi, R., Pesce, F., De Benedictis, A., & Tartaglini, D. (2022). Adult oncology patients’ experiences of living with a central venous catheter: a systematic review and meta-synthesis. Supportive Care in Cancer , 30 (5), 3773-3791. Ullman, A. J., Marsh, N., Mihala, G., Cooke, M., & Rickard, C. M. (2015). Complications of central venous access devices: a systematic review. Pediatrics , 136 (5), e1331-e1344. PEDS20151507 1331..1344 (silverchair.com) The PISCES Trial (avatargroup.org.au)

Treatment for high risk early-stage breast cancer is transforming, with CDK4/6 inhibitor data extending survival. We explore the management of patients in this setting with Jenny Gilchrist, Nurse Practitioner in Breast Oncology at Macquarie University Hospital, Samantha Moules, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Genesis Care Northern Sydney and Michael Fitzgerald, Nurse Practitioner – Medical Oncology Cancer Services at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide. This podcast is available to CNSA Members. To listen to the full podcast, log into the membership portal.

The CNSA are excited to celebrate the inaugural Cancer Nurses Day 2024! We explore the invaluable impact that Cancer Nurses have on the patient experience and how the impact reaches beyond the physical to emotional support, educational resourcing, and even navigating the hospital ecosystem. Julie McCrossin AM, radio broadcaster, journalist and cancer survivor herself, shares her experiences with three consumers who have experience being treated in the oncology setting across Australia: Melissa Lewis, Head of Medical Partnerships at MooGoo SkinCare, Maria Waton, McGrath Breast Cancer Specialist Nurse, Clinical Lead in Breast Cancer Care and Clinical Lead for McGrath in WA; as well as Vince Severino from Sydney.