EONS Newsletter November 2023

EONS16 IN MADRID – A MAJOR SUCCESS

Looking Ahead:

EONS17: Save the date for Barcelona, September 14-16.

ECND24 and 40th Anniversary: European Cancer Nursing Day will be celebrated on 18th May 2024.

The year is special as EONS will celebrate its 40 years anniversary. We hope you and your colleagues will participate in our celebration online. EONS will also organise a Forum on 40 years of EONS Cancer Nursing Leadership in Turku, Finland. Join us on May 15th for this milestone event and celebration!

EONS16 took place from 21-23 October 2023. Hundreds of cancer nurses from all over Europe gathered in Madrid for the EONS16 Cancer Nursing Conference. The theme of our conference was: ‘Cancer nursing: Building on innovation and building back better in healthcare’. Sincere thanks to all the wonderful speakers who shared their knowledge with us and to all the dedicated cancer nurses who attended EONS16 and made these three days such a huge success! To find out more, review the highlights, hear about the awards, and view some picture galleries of this great cancer nursing event, visit EONS website

Slides and webcasts are available on the ESMO online platform

Congratulations to Professor Daniel Kelly, OBE, recipient of the EONS Lifetime Achievement Award at EONS16 in Madrid. Professor Kelly was EONS President from 2015-2017 and is currently co-chair of ECO ­­HPV Action Network. He joined Cardiff University in 2011 as the Royal College of Nursing Chair of Nursing Research. EONS President Virpi Sulosaari and President-Elect Helena Ullgren presented the award. Virpi thanked Danny for all his exceptional work to develop and promote the cancer nursing profession. More information about EONS awards is available here.

Are you looking for guidance on how to advocate for your patients, or for recognition of cancer nursing in your country? Do you even have an ambition to improve policy in cancer nursing and occupational health? You can use the new EONS Advocacy Toolkit to guide you! This advocacy toolkit starts with an introduction to advocacy to help you understand what it is in general terms and specifically in cancer nursing. Also, advocacy tools that can be used are described along with some good examples and a practical checklist is included for advocating. The toolkit can be downloaded from the EONS website

Together our voices can make a difference!

In this month's blog, Helena McCallig from Ireland shares her experience of speaking at our conference and what she learned from this enjoyable challenge. Helena says: “I have spoken at nursing conferences previously, but I had never spoken at a European level. I was nervous but embraced going outside my comfort zone. Speaking in front of crowds of people can be very overwhelming. However, I have found over the years that putting yourself forward in work to discuss a chosen topic with colleagues or creating a poster and presenting to peers can be a great way to build confidence.”

Read the full YCN blog

Sign up now for WEBINAR #2 Nov 27, 2023 – 18.00 CET (17.00 UK): ‘Cancer nurses and psychological distress, Oncology nurses’ chronic stress related to the sub-optimal healthcare outcome of patients significantly increases the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety. Chronicity of cancer care, exposure to harmful treatments, and extension of life with concern of sustaining quality, especially treating patients with poor prognoses, may be excessively disruptive. Cancer nurses face multiple ethical challenges, patient fears, deaths, and grieving of patients’ loved ones while providing care. Join us to get a better understanding of the psychological distress of cancer nurses together with a personal story of burnout experience.
CHAIRS: Tuğba Pehlivan, YCN representative, Turkey Cláudia Gomes, YCN representative, Portugal
SPEAKERS: Psychological Distress with Helena Lynch, YCN representative, Ireland; Life with burnout syndrome, Michaela Popelkova, YCN Co-Chair, Czech Republic

REGISTER NOW!

Virpi Sulosaari, the President of EONS, was invited by the Irish Association for Nurses in Oncology (IANO) to their yearly conference. The day before the conference Virpi made a clinical visit to the new radiotherapy hospital building of University Hospital Galway. Local nurse managers and oncology nurses provided an overview of oncology nursing services, clinical specialist nurses roles and ongoing quality improvement initiatives launched by the oncology nurses. This event brought together over 30 people and was an excellent showcase on the development of cancer nursing in the district. On Saturday 14 October, the yearly conference took place in beautiful city of Tullamore. During the day participants dived into resilience and the self-care of nurses, nurses’ pivotal role in cancer care delivery, and also a variety of clinical topics. Virpi said: “This visit to Ireland is a great example of how EONS and national societies can be brought closer together. It is important to have opportunities to get to know the work of your peers and celebrate advancements together. Many of the presentations highlighted the role of oncology nurses in detecting the need for change in care of people affected by cancer, or a new service.”

Find out more about EONS National Societies

The Young Cancer Nurse (YCN) Co-Chairs, Nikolina Dodlek, Beth Maynard and Michaela Popelková, are happy to announce that they have chosen two new YCN representatives to become their successors. Congratulations to Dimitrios Protogiros, EONS YCN Representative from Greece, and Irati Rodriguez Matesanz, EONS YCN Representative from Spain. Many excellent applications were received and we thank all those who applied. We believe Dimitrios and Irati will make an excellent team to carry forward the legacy of the YCN Network, working closely with all the YCN representatives and leading the newly established Early Career Nurses Working Group. They will take up their positions from January 2024.

Find out more

Call for Applications: Early Career Nurses Ambassadors Group Membership
We are excited to announce the opening of applications for the EONS Early Career Nurses Ambassadors Group, a dynamic and collaborative team aimed at empowering and supporting the next generation of nursing professionals in cancer nursing nationally, and at a European and International level. We are seeking passionate and dedicated early career nurses to join our working group and contribute to the advancement of cancer nursing practice, education, leadership and research. The aim is to have 2 representatives per country within Europe with no more than 5 years' experience in oncology nursing at the time of joining the Network.
Find out more

Call for Applications: Early Career Nurses Working Group Membership
We are also delighted to announce the opening of applications for the EONS Early Career Nurses Working Group. The EONS Early Career Nurses (ECN) Working Group is designed to foster collaboration, mentorship, and professional development among early career cancer nurses. Members will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, collaborate on innovative projects, and shape the future of cancer nursing. By joining this group, you will become part of a vibrant community of like-minded professionals committed to making a difference in the field of cancer nursing. We are seeking eight (8) passionate and dedicated early career nurses with up to 5 years of clinical and/or academical experience in total to join our working group and contribute to the advancement of cancer nursing practice, education, leadership and research.
Find out more

EONS AT THE EUROPEAN CANCER SUMMIT

EONS Presidents, Board and team members gathered in Brussels at the European Cancer Summit (15/16 November) to discuss key cancer nursing issues of the day and take part in important sessions. The theme of the summit was ‘Accelerating Momentum: A manifesto to 2030’ which hailed the EU's Beating Cancer Plan as the opportunity of a lifetime but demands much more is done more quickly.

Read the manifesto and find out more

NEW EONS REP TO JOIN ECO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Congratulations to EONS Board member Nikolina Dodlek who is to join the European Cancer Organisation’s Board of Directors, replacing Wendy Oldenmenger as EONS representative. We thank Wendy for her dedicated service and wish Nikolina all the very best in this important future role.

Find out more

The RCC4Nurses project (Improving quality of nursing care in advanced renal cell carcinoma) is now entering Phase 3. In this phase (months 13-21), we will implement and evaluate the programme in English.The programme consists of four modules and is designed by top cancer experts.The modules feature case studies, questions, videos and interactive activities, which give you lots of opportunities to develop your knowledge and check your understanding about best supportive care in advanced RCC.Upon completion, you will be able to claim your certificate of attendance. To take part in this research, please check the webpage for the opening of registration, coming shortly at the link below.
Find out more about RCC4Nurses

We are excited to introduce the NURTURE project – Nurses Uniting for Resilience, Training, and Emotional Support in Cancer Care – a groundbreaking initiative presented to EONS National Societies at EONS16 by our President Virpi Sulosaari. It aims to increase knowledge, skills and expertise of nurses caring for people affected by cancer and provide invaluable support to cancer nurses across Europe, empowering and uplifting our dedicated nursing community as they navigate the challenging landscape of cancer care. The emotional well-being of our nurses is a top priority for NURTURE, recognising that their strength and resilience is drawn from a supportive community. The project fosters an environment of emotional support, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by those on the frontline of cancer care. A project team, led by Nikolina Dodlek, with expert nurses Virpi Sulosaari, Johan de Munter, Andreas Charalambous and Grigorios Kotronoulas, is overseeing the work of a task group (TG) to take this project forward. The TG experts are Celia Diez de los Rios de la Serna, Remzye Semerci, Dimitrios Protogiros, Selma Islamčević. More information will be available on the EONS website in due course.

INTERACT-EUROPE 100: EXPANDING HORIZONS

The INTERACT-EUROPE Showcase Event marks an ambitious leap forward. Now extending to 100 cancer centres across Europe, the project's focal point shifts to the implementation of an extensive Inter-specialty Cancer Training Programme Curriculum. This milestone initiative aims at fostering a patient-centric approach to elevate the quality of cancer care. Central to this program is the encouragement of multidisciplinary and multi-professional teamwork, essential in delivering comprehensive care. INTERACT-EUROPE remains steadfast in its mission: enhancing cancer care through strengthened collaboration among healthcare providers. Discover more about this transformative initiative here

Join our team as a Freelance Communication Officer (1-2 days/week). We’re on the lookout for a talented individual to contribute to EONS’ communication strategy. If you’re an enthusiastic, positive, and intelligent communicator who thrives in a collaborative environment, we invite you to be a part of our team. As a communication officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing EONS’ communication efforts, both internally and externally. This role also involves working alongside the EONS management on the EONS projects and campaigns.

Find out more and apply

We are delighted announce some exciting dates for your 2024 calendar!

EONS17 in Barcelona, 14-16 September, where we'll also celebrate EONS’ 40th anniversary!

ECND24 on ­18 May, hosted in Turku, Finland, with Europe-wide online celebration.

Plus, the next two ESO-EONS Masterclasses in Oncology Nursing:
Masterclass 2024: 08-12 November
Masterclass 2025: 24-28 October

Watch this space and the EONS website for more.

We are happy to inform our members that Cristina Tebar (Spain) has been selected to receive this year’s grant. Since 2020, she has been part of the Research Group of the Breast Cancer Unit of the Hospital Clinico Universitario of Valencia, where she is working as a research oncology nurse. She is currently studying for a PhD at the University of Valencia. Her research focuses on the quality of life, fertility and sexual health of women with breast cancer. The purpose of this project is to explore and demonstrate the breadth and depth of sexual health in breast cancer patients and their QOL. The aim is to validate the proposed questionnaire as a tool that can objectively assess sexual health in patients.
Find out more

The EONS Research Working Group (RWG) is seeking expressions of interest for new members. Don’t miss this chance – the deadline has been extended to 20 November. We currently have two positions available. Members of the RWG must be actively engaged in research related to cancer nursing practice and have the time, enthusiasm, and commitment to help EONS develop research and its impact across Europe. We welcome applications from nurses at all career stages, including young and early career cancer nursing researchers under 34 years of age at the time of application.

Find out more and apply

A standardised research policy is essential to direct research-related activities of the European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS). The EONS research policy aims to promote a transparent process that establishes research integrity, fairness, acknowledgement and inclusivity in EONS Research. The research policy outlines the ground rules that apply to ALL EONS Working Groups (WG), individual WG members, planned/developing grant applications, current research projects, and research dissemination activities.

Read the policy

This fellowship programme is a collaboration between EONS and the European School of Oncology (ESO). The aim is to encourage the reduction of variability in outcomes of cancer care between countries, as well as within regions in each country, by giving cancer professionals the chance to experience working in multiprofessional teams in accredited centres in Europe. The nurses’ clinical training centres programme will offer cancer nurses the opportunity to spend a period in a clinical setting specially designed to increase knowledge, improve professional development and to encourage mobility within EU and different countries. At the end of the training period at the host centre, it is anticipated that candidates, as well as having improved their skills and knowledge in cancer nursing, will be given a good overview of all the issues involved in the running of a successful Cancer Unit. ESO will refund the cancer nurse with relevant travel costs and a grant of 2000 Euros for each 4-week period. Accommodation is not provided and is to be arranged by the applicant. Deadline 30 November.
Find out more
Apply

The European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) is following developments in Ukraine with great sadness. Our mission is to ensure that all people affected by cancer benefit from equal, safe and high quality care. This brutal act of war is endangering all people in Ukraine – including the oncology workforce who, with other healthcare colleagues, are working under unbearable pressure. EONS stands firmly against all forms of violence and is hoping that this appalling situation, and its far-reaching consequences, can be defused for the sake of all innocent parties caught up in it. We encourage people to back European and International organisations in their support of the people of Ukraine. EONS will try its best to find ways to reach out to the oncology workforce and people affected by cancer and help in capacity building where possible. War only brings loss, sadness and inhumane suffering and we truly hope for a peaceful resolution. Our thoughts are with all the people of Ukraine.

Anyone interested in joining EONS, be it as a new individual, society, or associate member, can join at any time during the year by completing the online application form available on the specific membership webpage. We warmly invite you to join us and to tell your friends and colleagues about EONS too. Membership of EONS provides a wealth of opportunities to further your education, develop your career and learn about all the latest research. We have lots of exciting plans and events lined up for the coming year and you can keep up to date with all our activities on the EONS website – and check out how to follow us across social media on the homepage too.

Scientists are developing the world’s first finger-prick test to spot brain tumours. More than 300,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with brain cancer each year, and while treatments have improved over the last few decades, recurrence remains a risk. A team at Nottingham Trent University, UK, is leading the Medical Research Council-funded work, which will aim to develop a simple test which patients can use at home, similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Find out more

Ahead of a crucial European Parliament vote, the World Health Organisation (WHO) sent a letter to MEPs expressing increasing concern about the state of play of the EU’s flagship Beating Cancer plan due to “scientifically inaccurate and worrisome” wording on alcohol use. The EONS PrEvCan campaign drew attention to the dangers of drinking alcohol.
Find out more

Don’t miss the latest 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. As an EONS member you can read it free.
Sign up to read the journal free

Did you know that you can access a wide range of high-quality reading material about cancer care via the EONS website? Why not dip in to our ‘Publications with EONS Representatives’ page and extend your knowledge. Articles on ‘The cost of living with cancer during the second wave of COVID-19: A mixed methods study of Danish cancer patients’ perspectives’ and a ‘Position statement won Oncology and Cancer Nursing Care for Older Adults with Cancer and their Caregivers’ are among the many interesting links you will find there.
Visit the page

5th annual European Cancer Forum 2023

‘Patients, Policies, Plans: is Europe on track to beat cancer?’

5 December 2023 - 10:00 – 15:00 CET,
Solvay Library - Belliardstraat/Rue Belliard 137A, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

Register Now

Sharing Progress in Cancer Care (SPCC) webinar on "The assessment and impact of cancer pain on patients’ outcomes".

1800 CET Wednesday 22 November

Registrations are open free of charge

5th EHNS Workshop on Head and Neck Robotic Surgery

Fondazione Ferrero - Strada di Mezzo, 44 - 12051 Alba – Italy

15-16 March, 2024

Register now

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