An exploration of the Role of the Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse from Two International Perspectives

Cancer specialist nurses' experiences of supporting family members of persons diagnosed with colorectal cancer: A qualitative study

“…Participants were recruited from both major centres for CRC surgery, with several CSNs working, and smaller clinics, with only one CSN. The role of a Swedish CSN is in line with international literature on the role of CSNs of breast, prostate, and gynaecological cancers (Fleure and Sara, 2020;Luck et al, 2017;Cook et al, 2021). Apart from providing support to the persons diagnosed with CRC and their family members for normal reactions of crisis, the role of the Swedish CSN includes being accessible, informing about the stages in the cancer trajectory, and conducting evidence-based need-assessments and taking adequate actions.…”

“…Instead, the findings call for a re-evaluation of the CSN role that centralizes planning, leading, and coordinating supportive care for the whole family. In particular, due to alerts that the expansion of the role has led to a situation where key nursing skillssuch as holistic assessment, advanced communication, advocacy, and skilled supportive rolesare at risk of being replaced by a more medically oriented approach (Fleure and Sara, 2020). CSNs instead perform administrative and other non-nursing duties related to the care of the persons diagnosed with cancer (Cook et al, 2021).…”

“…In clinical cancer care, cancer specialist nurses (CSN) have been highlighted as essential due to their key position in providing support to both the persons diagnosed with CRC and their family members throughout the trajectory (Buckley et al, 2018;Luck et al, 2017;Cook et al, 2021;Fleure and Sara, 2020). The title and role of CSNs vary between countries and contexts (Buckley et al, 2018;Luck et al, 2017;Cook et al, 2021).…”

“…Regarding CSNs supportive care for family members, the literature is sparse (Fleure and Sara, 2020;Luck et al, 2017;Cook et al, 2021). The available literature is on supportive care for family members of persons diagnosed with prostate, breast, and gynaecological cancers; describes it as a responsibility of CSNs; yet offers no further explanation.…”

Global Disparity in Access to Novel Therapeutics for Metastatic Prostate Cancer

“…19,20 Specialist nurses play an important role in supporting patients as they navigate complex treatment decision frameworks, as well as coordinating supportive care interventions including optimization of bone health and cardiovascular risk factors relating to long-term treatment with ADT or androgen receptor directed therapies. 21 Access to this multidisciplinary psychosocial support also varies geographically and is likely to contribute to differences in clinical outcomes worldwide.…”