Globally cancer is a major public health issue and it’s the second leading cause of death with about 18.1 million new cases and mortality at 9.6 million. Over 60% of worlds total new cases occur in Africa, Asia, Central and South America; and 70% of the total world cancer death occurs in this region. Contending with this burden cannot be done without the contribution of competent and knowledgeable oncology nurses. Irrespective of this burden, Africa is faced with scarcity of resources to help in cancer control such as trained oncology professionals. Nurses are pivotal in the health system and they remain a key position in engaging with patient and their communities and health professional to address disparities in cancer care to achieve the goal in cancer control. Even though roles may be similar, nurses in Africa especially low and middle income countries have challenges such as non-availability of treatments, if available patient cannot access it due to poverty, insufficient nursing workforce and deficient in the education to care for patients suffering from cancers. Despite the challenges, nurses are still pushing to raise awareness in cancer, provide care for patients and establish oncology nursing as a specialty. This presentation gives an overview of oncology nursing in Africa, the current status, the challenges and a reflection for stakeholders to address these concerns would be provided.

INTRODUCTION Oncology care is a highly specialized subset of nursing that requires a higher level of training and education. Over hundred years ago, people affected by cancer were cared by general nurses and in developed countries such as Canada, the training of oncology nurses as a specialty was initiated in 1947. Rwanda, a developing country, initiated education of oncology nurse specialists in 2015 through the collaboration between United States of America (USA) / Human Resources for Health (HRH) faculty and Rwandan Ministry of Health In 2015.
BACKGROUND Since inception of the master program in oncology nursing for which the rational was to fight the increase of the incidence and mortality rate of cancer, the program has had two successful cohorts graduating. This program is implemented in module system with sixteen (16) modules to complete before graduation. The modules put emphasis on cancer screening and diagnosis of different cancers and their treatment, management of treatment related side effect, palliative care, end of life care and rehabilitation. The program is implemented by USA/HRH training specialists from around the Globe together with Rwandan faculty. Moreover, oncology nursing track also has highly qualified and experienced honorary lecturer. Furthermore, graduate oncology nurses are now absorbed into the health care system to improve the quality outcome in cancer care. A part this formal education, Rwanda through Partners in Health and Rwanda biomedical Center is also offering in service training of nurses on cancer treatment, preventive measures and early identification such as Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) and on the screening of cervical cancer. Like any new academic program, some challenges to mention but as few are financial constraints faced by students because they are self-sponsored. Moreover, they also continue to serve in their respective workplaces. Lack of Scholarship opportunities for PhD studies for faculty and therefore, faculty financial capacity to conduct clinical research is still limited.
FUTURE PLANS To continue to train oncology nurses for national and international level and provide continuous professional development for general nurses, both current and old graduates.
RECOMMENDATIONS African institutions should develop their own oncology nursing education programs in order to meet demands of their population because oncology nurses play a key role in cancer management and prevention.

Nurses are the largest component of the health workforce worldwide. They play a key role in cancer control in areas including prevention, screening, treatment, survivorship and palliative care. Many countries have cancer control plans in place, but not all. Where cancer control plans are in place, the contribution of nurses to reducing the burden of cancer needs to be optimised. The International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) is the global voice for nurses working in cancer care. In partnership with national and regional cancer organisations, ISNCC’s mission is to lead the global nursing community to reduce the burden of cancer and realise its vision of a world in which nurses are vital and central leaders in cancer care and control. ISNCC’s work is having a major impact in improving cancer control outcomes for people across the world. For example, ISNCC projects focus on addressing disparities in access to screening services, advancing nurses’ policy and practice contributions in areas such as tobacco control, and improving treatment outcomes through better knowledge about symptom control. ISNCC’s inaugural Policy Leadership in Cancer Nursing program recently held in Geneva in partnership with the International Council of Nurses highlighted the potential for nurses to extend their impact across the world. This unique program provided much needed opportunities for nurses from 21 countries to build their policy leadership capabilities to ensure that their contribution to cancer control across the world is optimised.