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

When is a rash more than just a rash? And what should you be looking for before a patient even tells you something has changed?
In our latest episode, cancer nurse practitioners Justin Hargreaves and Gillian Blanchard take a practical look at managing toxicities associated with antibody-drug conjugates, with a particular focus on PADCEV in urothelial cancer.
From skin reactions and peripheral neuropathy to glucose changes and ocular symptoms, this episode explores what nurses need to be actively looking for, the questions we should be asking and why early recognition and escalation can make such a difference to patient safety and treatment continuity.
This episode has been developed with support from Astellas and is available exclusively to CNSA members.
This is a member only episde. To hear the full conversation, visit www.cnsa.org.au/podcast and log in using your CNSA membership details.

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.