International Nurses Day is celebrated across the world on 12 May, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. There are large variations in cancer nursing across the world, affected by climate, geography, population need, resources and educational opportunities for nurses. Differences exist between and within countries. These can contribute to disparities in patient outcomes. Nurses provide care in a variety of settings while facing many challenges, including climate change and conflict.
Collaboration in cancer nursing is essential for achieving universal health coverage and better outcomes for cancer patients worldwide. Knowledge exchange supports nurses to develop expertise and ensures they are up to date on the latest advances in cancer care (World Health Organization (WHO), 2024). When nurses collaborate globally, they can share innovation, research, and best practices. Global collaboration also highlights the phenomenal work cancer nurses from lower/middle income countries do while facing unique regional healthcare challenges. Matt Fowler, a UK-based nurse consultant and honorary lecturer at the University of Bethlehem, volunteers with Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) UK (https://www.map.org.uk) on missions to Gaza, and says this about his nursing colleagues in Palestine:
‘Palestinian nurses are some of the most resilient nurses I have ever worked with. They work long hours, often working multiple jobs to support their families yet still manage to deliver very high standards of care with the limited resources they have.’
Evidence shows how partnerships between professionals from various disciplines (such as nurses, physicians and pharmacists) lead to better patient outcomes by drawing from one another's expertise to provide comprehensive care for cancer patients (Pirschel, 2018). By collaborating globally, nurses gain access to and share information about novel ways to deliver cancer care and, in turn, share this with colleagues from other disciplines. This can positively impact patient care by ensuring timely and evidence-based interventions (WHO, 2024). Global collective efforts allow nurses to learn from diverse experiences in many areas, including palliative care (Mendieta et al, 2021); thus improving the quality of life for those living with cancer and their carers.
High income countries have routine access to tests such as CT scans and X-rays. Low/middle income countries may not have easy access to these, thus nurses rely on their own skills to deliver care. A nurse in Ghana collaborating in the Global Power of Oncology Nursing forum (https://theglobalpowerofoncologynursing.com) said:
‘We in Ghana use the subjective data the clients give, coupled with their [presenting] complaints. This directs you to the kind of assistance to give to the patient before requesting for the diagnostic or radiological investigations for confirmation.’
Nurses can participate in global health campaigns to promote cancer awareness, prevention and early detection while acknowledging differences in global communities. Global collaboration requires active engagement, open communication, and a willingness to learn from others. Joining international and national nursing associations allows nurses to connect with colleagues worldwide. These platforms provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, webinars, conferences, and collaborative projects with wide-ranging benefits. Members of UKONS, by association, are members of the European Oncology Nursing Society and International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care, providing opportunities for such collaboration.