Let’s celebrate our profession on National Cancer CNS day
Macmillan Cancer Support chief nursing officer Claire Taylor is keen to mark the fourth National Cancer CNS Day on 14 March. In 1996 she became only the third person to be appointed to the role of colorectal cancer nurse specialist in the UK. Now, nearly 30 years later, it is time to celebrate the progress made, including the thousands of cancer clinical care specialists now working and striving for excellence in cancer care
Thousands of cancer clinical nurse specialists now work in the UK to deliver and promote excellence in cancer care
Almost 30 years ago I became a colorectal cancer specialist nurse. It was 1996 and I was the third person to be appointed to the role in the UK. There was no blueprint, no multidisciplinary team meetings, but there was a feeling of needing to explain our role.
Fast forward to 2025, now in my role as chief nursing officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, I am immensely proud of how far we have come. Thousands of cancer clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) work across the UK delivering life-changing support for people with cancer, rooted in the values of personalised care and holistic patient needs.
Now on 14 March, we mark the fourth year of National Cancer CNS Day – a day dedicated to shining a light on the work of cancer CNSs. Being a CNS is so rewarding; you can develop advanced clinical skills in a defined area of nursing practice – from undertaking comprehensive assessments to making differential diagnoses.
Specialist nurses help shape the future of cancer care
The Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development programme (ACCEND), co-led by NHS England’s Cancer and Diagnostics Programme, Workforce, Training and Education Directorate along with Macmillan Cancer Support, provides a great foundation for anyone starting out on a CNS career.
‘Macmillan’s ambition is to help everyone living with cancer to get the best possible care now, with a focus on those who currently receive the worst care and outcomes’
At Macmillan, we hear from people every day who share stories of how their CNS has supported them and their loved ones. Macmillan’s ambition is to help everyone living with cancer to get the best possible care now, with a focus on those who currently receive the worst care and outcomes.
CNSs, alongside the wider cancer workforce, are pivotal in continuing to help shape the future of cancer care which is why days of recognition like National CNS Day are so important.
And we want to continue to play our role in supporting and developing excellence in cancer care, and go even further - by expanding our offer of support, training and resource across the cancer workforce - to in turn help even more people affected by cancer.
To follow the discussion on social media, use hashtag #NationalCancerCNSDay.
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