HOLIDAY GREETINGS FROM THE

PRESIDENT OF EONS

The year 2024 has been a year of celebration for EONS, marking our 40th anniversary. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding work and unwavering commitment of the EONS Board, team, and working group members in advancing cancer nursing in Europe throughout 2024. Your dedication has made a significant impact on the quality of care for those affected by cancer.

EONS also wishes to express gratitude to the European Commission and the EU4Health programme for providing us with an operational grant this year to support some of our activities.

I also wish to thank the national societies and individual members for their invaluable collaboration and support.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2025!

COMING SOON: THE NEW EONS WEBSITE!

EONS is excited to announce that we will be launching its brand-new website in the coming days! Our new site promises a fresh look with enhanced features, improved accessibility, and a wealth of updated resources designed to support cancer nursing professionals across Europe.

Stay tuned for the big reveal and prepare to explore a dynamic platform tailored to empower, educate, and connect our community like never before. This is just the beginning of many exciting updates we have planned for you!

EONS is currently seeking two cancer nurses to join its Communication Working Group (CWG), tasked with enhancing the visibility and impact of cancer nursing across Europe. Members will collaborate on projects like Global Cancer Day, develop social media content, and contribute to educational and advocacy efforts. Ideal candidates should have strong communication skills, be committed to cancer nursing, and be members of EONS or their National Oncology Nursing Society.

The role requires a commitment of about 2-3 hours per month, with meetings every six weeks and a renewable two-year term (up to six years). Interested applicants should apply by 22 December 2024 by sending a CV and motivation letter to Stavroula.chante1@nhs.net and Carlos.cargaleiro@gmail.com. For further details, please contact eons.secretariat@cancernurse.eu.

NIGHTINGALE CHALLENGE WEBINAR SERIES

The EONS Early Career Nurses Working Group is pleased to report the successful completion of the Nightingale Challenge Webinar Series. This series was designed to empower early-career cancer nurses through a series of interactive webinars that provided a platform for learning, knowledge enhancement, and peer engagement.

Webinar 1: Stem Cell & Bone Marrow Must-Knows

Participants gained essential knowledge and skills for managing bone marrow transplantation.

Webinar 2: Scientific Writing & Dissemination for Cancer Nurses

This session focused on developing skills in scientific writing and dissemination, preparing nurses to contribute to professional journals and conferences.

Webinar 3: N.U.R.T.U.R.E.: Cancer Nurses’ Well-Being & Supportive Workplaces

In partnership with the N.U.R.T.U.R.E. task group, this webinar promoted nurse empowerment and resilience, emphasising the importance of emotional support and workplace wellness for those in cancer care.

Each webinar was met with enthusiasm and positive feedback from the participants. If you missed it, the webinar recordings are available on EONS YouTube channel.

EONS PRESIDENT-ELECT PARTICIPATED AS A SPEAKER IN THE "EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND PANCREATIC CANCER" WEBINAR

The "Emotional Support and Pancreatic Cancer" webinar organised by Pancreatic Cancer Europe, part of the World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month 2024, was held online on November 28. Helena Ullgren, President-Elect of EONS, was invited as a speaker. With her extensive experience as a cancer nurse, she provided insights into the critical role of emotional support in the cancer treatment journey, emphasising that it is fundamental to achieving successful patient outcomes.

The 15th EONS Masterclass in Oncology Nursing took place from 8-12 November in cooperation with the European School of Oncology (ESO). The conference was held on the beautiful island of San Servolo, located off the coast of Venice, which was formerly home to a psychiatric institution. Under the guidance of chair and EONS Past-President Johan De Munter, coordinator Matthias Hellberg-Naegele, and advisor EONS President Virpi Sulosaari, the 27 attendees experienced an exciting but intensive 3 ½ days.

The participants were carefully selected from numerous applicants, with a key selection criterion being the diverse representation of the European continent. Attendees came from countries such as Malta, Albania, Finland, Estonia, and Portugal, just to name a few. In addition to presentations on various aspects of cancer nursing, the focus was primarily on case discussions and interprofessional workshops with participants from the ESO Masterclass in Clinical Oncology.

There was also time for international networking and exchanging ideas with colleagues from the ESO Masterclass during the evening programs. Cancer nurses had the opportunity to shine, with both winners of a dance competition being nurses. Overall, this masterclass was a successful event. San Servolo will host the event again next year from 24-28 October. Stay tuned for more information and the call for applications opening in Spring 2025.

In this month's edition, the ECN blog highlight Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), a common side effect of cancer treatment affecting up to 40% of patients on neurotoxic chemotherapy. CIPN can cause sensory symptoms like tingling, numbness, and pain, significantly impacting daily life. While duloxetine is an effective option for managing pain, practical strategies and caregiver support play a vital role in improving quality of life.

EONS AT ENTERO CONFERENCE 2024

The ENTERO conference on early-age onset digestive cancers took place on 14-15 November, both in Porto, Portugal, and virtually. This event was organised by Digestive Cancers Europe and Europacolon Portugal, featuring significant contributions from EONS representatives Johan de Munter and Tihana Gašpert. Johan de Munter, the Past-President of EONS, spoke about the long-term side effects of cancer treatments, highlighting the crucial support cancer nurses provide to survivors. Tihana Gašpert, from the Early Career Nurses Working Group, discussed the financial and economic difficulties faced by cancer survivors, particularly young adults.

The European Cancer Summit 2024, themed “United Against Cancer: Forging New Frontiers,” took place on November 20-21 in Brussels and online. This pivotal event brought together experts, patients, and policymakers to accelerate efforts against cancer. Key discussions focused on innovative solutions to healthcare challenges and new opportunities in cancer research.

The summit reviewed Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, emphasising the importance of collaboration across medical disciplines, professions, and nationalities. Notable speakers included Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, and Antonio Parenti, Director of Public Health, Cancer and Health Security.

A highlight was the exclusive Showcase Event for the smartCARE and PROTECT-EUROPE projects, which followed the main summit. This event underscored the commitment to advancing cancer care through innovative research and technology.

Overall, the European Cancer Summit 2024 reaffirmed the collective commitment to combating cancer and pushing the boundaries of treatment and prevention.

The EONS President Virpi Sulosaari joined as an invited speaker at a local Estonian conference organised by the Estonian Hematological Nurses Society, in collaboration with cancer nurses and radiotherapy technicians, in Tallinn on December 6, 2024. The day before, the EONS President had an excellent visit to the North Estonia Medical Centre, where she met with Head Nurse Nikolai Tovek. The visit was impressive and showcased how cancer nursing, nursing leadership, and interprofessional team leadership are aligned to develop and deliver the best care for people affected by cancer.

The EONS President’s presentations focused on the sustainability of cancer care, EONS, and the digital skills of healthcare professionals. Part of the activities included gathering experiences on the needs of Estonian cancer nurses for advancing cancer nursing in the country and exploring how EONS could support them. Currently, EONS has individual members from Estonia but not a national society. Capacity building and identifying the needs of cancer nurses are part of the EONS QualCanCare project, supported by the EU Operation Grant.

Discussions were held on how future collaboration around education with EONS, both locally and internationally, could support the further development of cancer nursing, career opportunities, and addressing nursing workforce shortages.

CONGRATULATIONS TO RECIPIENTS OF EONS

EARLY CAREER RESEARCH GRANT 2024!

EONS is thrilled to announce and extend our heartfelt congratulations to Betül Bay, Selcan Zeynep, Roos Enzlin, Hanne Waarts, and İlknur Yazıcıoğlu, the distinguished recipients of the EONS Early Career Research Grant 2024. Each of these exceptional individuals has demonstrated remarkable dedication in cancer nursing, promising a future of impactful contributions and advancements. This achievement not only recognises their current accomplishments but also supports their continued growth and success in their careers.

The EONS Advocacy Working Group is seeking a new member who is passionate about advancing cancer nursing in Europe. Members contribute to advocacy strategies and engage with policymakers and stakeholders.

Requirements:

Apply by submitting a CV and motivation letter by January 13, 2025, to eons.secretariat@cancernurse.eu.

For more details, visit the EONS Advocacy page.

ANNOUNCING EONS18 AT ESMO

CONGRESS 2025 IN BERLIN

EONS is pleased to announce its 18th conference, hosted as part of the prestigious ESMO Congress 2025. This year, EONS18 will take place in Berlin in October 2025, bringing together cancer nurses, researchers, educators, and healthcare professionals from across the globe to explore the vital role of compassionate care in bridging scientific advancements with the humanistic aspects of cancer nursing.​ The theme for EONS18 is “Compassionate care in cancer nursing: Bridging the gap between science and humanity."

Under this year’s theme, EONS18 will offer an inspiring platform to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and drive innovations in cancer nursing. The event will feature diverse sessions aligned with our commitment to excellence in cancer nursing, covering a wide range of topics.

THE FINAL EPISODE OF N.U.R.T.U.R.E PODCAST IS AVAILABLE!

In the fourth and final episode of the N.U.R.T.U.R.E Podcast Series, Johan de Munter, EONS Past-President interviews Dr. Virpi Sulosaari, EONS president about burnout and stress management. Presented by EONS, this episode explores the intricate relationship between workplace environments and mental health in cancer nursing. Click the link to listen on YouTube.

EONS PAST-PRESIDENT PANELIST AT

EUROPEAN CANCER FORUM

Johan de Munter, the Past-President of EONS, was a panellist at the 6th European Cancer Forum 2024 in Brussels on December 4th. He discussed the future of cancer care with other experts, including Liora Bowers and Eduardo Pisani, in a session moderated by Jacki Davis. The discussion focused on how integrating the latest science with strong health policies and collaboration across different sectors can improve cancer care. His participation highlights EONS' dedication to advancing sustainable, fair, and high-quality cancer treatments.

APPLICATIONS OPEN: JOIN THE EONS EDUCATION WORKING GROUP!

The EONS Education Working Group is looking for a new member who is passionate about cancer nursing education. If you're actively engaged in either university or clinical education and ready to make a difference in cancer nursing across Europe, we want to hear from you! We expect from the members proficiency in English.

In this call we are looking for members preferably from countries that are not yet represented in our EWG. Should you be interested in joining, please provide a maximum of two-page CV and letter of interest, including reasons for wanting to join the group and a summary of what you would bring to it, to eons.secretariat@cancernurse.eu.

For more information about the Education WG, please visit our website.

Deadline: 6th of January

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN OUR SURVEY:
KEY INSIGHTS INTO CANCER CARE TRENDS

We are excited to share that the findings of the EONS survey, carried out in partnership with Roche, are available and will be published very soon! Ahead of this, we wanted to take the opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to the 224 nurses from 25 countries, who participated.

As new developments such as subcutaneous (under the skin) injection, at-home administration and self-injection by patients are becoming increasingly common in cancer care, we wanted to hear from you, our members: What administration technologies are you using in your day-to-day work? What do you find challenging, and what would help you better support patients?

While we are still in the process of thoroughly analysing the data, we would like to share some initial trends that have emerged:

Administration technologies in use: A significant portion of respondents highlighted the usage of various administration technologies in cancer treatment, including intravenous (IV) administration, subcutaneous (SC) administration and SC high volume (≥5 mL) administration, though less common, is gaining traction.

Preparedness for new administration routes: The survey revealed varied levels of confidence among nurses regarding new administration routes.

Feasibility of home-based care: The potential for implementing at-home administration was assessed. Some of you indicated that these options are feasible and already in practice in certain healthcare settings.

Preferences SC administration: participants revealed some criteria such as the ability to treat more patients per day, reduced risk during drug administration, fewer local side effects, greater patient comfort, streamlined clinic operations, and allowing patients to maintain their routine due to shorter clinic visits.

Please stay tuned for the complete survey results. Once again, thank you for your important perspectives!

BECOME A MEMBER OF EONS TODAY!

Join EONS today as an individual, society, or associate member! Our application process is streamlined and accessible year-round. Here’s how you can become a part of a community that’s at the forefront of cancer nursing:

Visit our Membership Page: Find the online application forms and submit them! Completing the form is quick and easy!

Membership Benefits Include:

Spread the Word! Invite your friends and colleagues to join EONS. Share the value of our community and how it can benefit their professional growth and knowledge.

Renew Your Membership for 2025! Don’t miss out on continuing your EONS journey. Renew your membership by the end of January 2025 to ensure uninterrupted access to all the benefits and opportunities EONS has to offer.

APPLICATIONS OPEN: JOIN THE

EONS RESEARCH WORKING GROUP!

The EONS Research Working Group is looking for a new member! If you're involved in cancer nursing research and eager to make an impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Your Role:

How to Apply:

Deadline:

For more info, visit our webpage or contact the EONS secretariat. Join us in advancing cancer nursing research in Europe!

WORLD-FIRST URINE TEST

MAY DETECT LUNG CANCER

Stock Photo

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a pioneering urine test that could detect early-stage lung cancer by identifying "zombie" cell proteins released by senescent cells, which promote cancer development. The test uses an injectable sensor that interacts with these proteins, releasing a compound into urine that becomes detectable with a silver solution. Successfully tested on mice, this method aims to provide an inexpensive, non-invasive alternative to scans, enabling earlier diagnosis and potentially improving survival rates for lung cancer, which remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

ADVANCING OUTCOMES IN DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT CANCERS: NEW STRATEGIES AND

CRITICAL CHALLENGES

This Cancerworld article discusses the ongoing challenges and recent strides in the treatment of hard-to-treat cancers with low survival rates, such as glioblastoma, pancreatic, and liver cancers. Experts highlight the need for increased funding, more focused research, and innovative approaches to treatment, including targeted drug delivery and advanced surgical techniques. Despite the significant obstacles, there's optimism driven by new research initiatives and collaborative efforts aimed at improving diagnosis and developing more effective therapies.

Don’t miss the latest edition 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.

UPCOMING SPCC LIVE WEBINARS ON HAEMATO-ONCOLOGY AND BREAST CANCER HIGHLIGHTS

Join SPCC for two live webinars to catch up on the latest in cancer research. On December 18th, they'll cover the top updates from the 66th ASH Annual Meeting on haemato-oncology. The next day, December 19th, tune in for the key insights from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2024. Register here to learn about the newest findings in haematological and breast cancers!

EHMA CONFERENCE 2025

Save the date for the EHMA 2025 Conference supported by EONS, happening in Rennes, France from 4-6 June 2025. The theme is ‘Taking action to improve health for all’. The call for abstracts is now open until 15 January 2025. Share your research and best practices in health management with an international audience. For more information, visit: https://ehmaconference.org

Save the date for the MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting, happening June 26th to 28th, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. Register for the conference through the following link: MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting 2025.

The 18th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (18-ICML) will take place in Lugano, Switzerland, from June 17 to June 21, 2025. For the first time, the conference will include a dedicated session focused on cancer nursing, specifically tailored for specialised nurses, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. We are pleased to announce that EONS Board Member Matt Fowler will represent EONS at the event.

You can register for the full conference at a special rate, with options for both virtual and in-person attendance. If you prefer, you can also buy a daily ticket for Friday, June 20. This is the day of the cancer nursing session, which is organised in collaboration with the Swiss Oncology Nursing Society (OPS/SOS), and the Haematology Nurses & Healthcare Professionals Group, and the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE) Nursing Group.

For more details and the latest updates, please visit www.icml.ch and subscribe to the ICML newsletter.