The global burden of cancer is growing

Cancer is the first or second leading cause of premature death (i.e. at ages 30–69 years) in 134 of 183 countries, and it ranks third or fourth in an additional 45 countries1. An estimated 18.1 million new cancer cases and 9.6 million cancer-related deaths occurred worldwide in 20182. The incidence of cancer globally is expected to exceed 27 million new cancer cases per year by 2040 in part due to the ageing of the population and greater susceptibility to ageing-related diseases such as cancer3. This estimated increase in cancer incidence will occur in all countries, but the predicted increase will be proportionately greatest in low and medium countries3.Cancer is also a disease associated with significant morbidity. It is estimated that the total annual economic cost of cancer in 2010 was US$1.16 trillion per year4.

There is extensive evidence which indicates that the burden of cancer can be substantially reduced. Approximately 30–50% of cancers can be prevented, early diagnosis and access to evidence-based treatments can significantly improve survival, and evidence-based supportive care interventions can significantly improve safety, reduce morbidity, optimise quality of life, and improve the experiences of health care for the person affected by cancer and their family. Reducing the burden of cancer is not only about limiting the numbers of those affected by cancer. It also requires actions to improve the person’s experience of cancer across the disease trajectory.

Cancer control has been a growing priority of governments globally and the World Health Organization (WHO). The 2017 World Health Assembly resolution on cancer prevention and control proposed an integrated approach to cancer control from a public policy perspective. The guiding principle of these WHO efforts is that health is a basic human right, and in order to respect that right, health services need to be provided through a universal health coverage system that leaves no one behind5.

The nursing workforce is essential to cancer control

There are over 20 million nurses and midwives worldwide making them the largest group of health professionals who are well placed to reduce the burden of cancer. In many countries, nurses are at the frontline to reduce the burden of cancer as they provide essential primary health care services which includes education focused on prevention and early detection of cancer. Nurses also reduce the burden of cancer by delivering complex treatments, ensuring timely and safe minimization of complications, providing care for individuals and their families across a range of care settings, and empowering individuals and their families to assume self-management of the disease6, 7. Achieving the goal of universal health coverage to reduce the burden of cancer therefore urgently requires that nursing services are not only strengthened, but that they are optimised and extended.

Nurses reduce the burden of cancer across the cancer trajectory

Nurses contribute to reducing the burden of cancer across the entire pathway (see Table 1).

Table 1 Examples of the Contribution of Nurses across the Cancer Trajectory7
Full size table

Cancer nurses have distinct functions which are critical to the success of modern cancer care, especially in this time of unprecedented change to the nature of cancer treatment and control. These broad impacts of nursing services in cancer control are demonstrated in a growing body of evidence from studies in high resource countries. One recent scoping review of 214 studies of interventions led or delivered by cancer nurses involving 247,550 participants concluded that nursing interventions were delivered across the cancer continuum from prevention and risk reduction to survivorship. The interventions included case management, surveillance, teaching, counselling, and guidance, and a variety of treatments and procedures. Most of the interventions were delivered by a specialist or advanced practice nurses, highlighting the need for a robust career structure and education for nurses6.

An opportunity to realise the essential role of nurses

There is substantial unrealised potential for nurses to reduce the burden of cancer across the world. In low- and middle-income countries, there is an opportunity for government and non-government organizations to improve the working conditions of nurses, such as low pay, workforce shortages, and a lack of opportunities for professional growth7, 8. In many high resource countries, while specialised cancer nursing roles have developed over many decades and there is a strong evidence base to support them, there is substantial variation in access to such services and regulatory, system level and professional barriers which limit service delivery.

Call to action

It is our position that:

  • Nurses are essential to the success of reducing cancer incidence, improving survival and quality of life, and providing better palliative care7.

  • Well-prepared cancer nurses have demonstrated wide-ranging impacts across the spectrum of cancer care in many high-income countries. To benefit from this expertise, substantial efforts to build nursing workforce capacity are required in low- and middle-income and high-income countries where the nursing workforce does not have access to adequate education7.

  • The role of the cancer nurse needs to be formally recognised as a key part of global cancer control efforts and appropriate nursing resources should be mandated within all cancer control programs7.

  • Government and non-government organisations must optimise the substantial resource of nurses to ensure that the burden of cancer is reduced worldwide. This requires urgent action to ensure:

    • Adequate education for nurses

    • Removal of regulations which act as barriers to nurses’ practice

    • Safe staffing levels

    • Safe work environments

    • Investment in innovative nurse-led models and practices

    • Greater nursing leadership in cancer control

    • Stronger partnerships between all involved in cancer control

    • Research to advance the evidence base for cancer nursing