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Documenting a patient's family history of cancer is useful in assessing their predisposition to some types of hereditary cancers. A group of nurses working with cancer patients were surveyed, by way of a questionnaire, to determine their level of knowledge about oncogenetics, describe various issues related to their capacity to identify, refer and support individuals with a hereditary risk of cancer, and explore their interest in continuing education on this topic. The findings show limited knowledge and a low sense of competence among the participating nurses, as well as a lack of access to university and continuing education programs in this field. Training focused on competency development would enhance their capacity to carry out an initial assessment of individuals who are potentially at risk for cancer and refer them to specialized resources., Competing Interests: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The authors report no potential conflicts of interest in the research, writing and/or publication of this paper and declare that they are the sole owners of all rights to this original work, entitled “Issues associated with a hereditary risk of cancer: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses in oncology settings.” The authors agree to assign all rights to CANO/ACIO for publication in the Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal., (© 2022 Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO).)

Competing Interests: CONFLITS D’INTÉRÊTS Les auteurs déclarent n’avoir aucun conflit d’intérêts potentiel en ce qui concerne la recherche, la rédaction et/ou la publication de cet article et être seuls propriétaires de tous les droits de l’article original intitulé « Enjeux associés au risque héréditaire de cancer: connaissances, attitudes et pratiques infirmières en oncologie ». Les auteurs acceptent de céder tous les droits à CANO/ACIO pour la publication dans la Revue canadienne de soins infirmiers en oncologie.

Unlabelled: Fillion et al. (2012) recently designed a conceptual framework for professional cancer navigators describing key functions of professional cancer navigation., Purpose: Building on this framework, this study defines the core areas of practice and associated competencies for professional cancer navigators., Methods: The methods used in this study included: literature review, mapping of navigation functions against practice standards and competencies, and validation of this mapping process with professional navigators, their managers and nursing experts and comparison of roles in similar navigation programs., Findings: Associated competencies were linked to the three identified core areas of practice, which are: 1) providing information and education, 2) providing emotional and supportive care, and 3) facilitating coordination and continuity of care., Conclusion: Cancer navigators are in a key position to improve patient and family empowerment and continuity of care., Implications: This is an important step for advancing the role of oncology nurses in navigator positions and identifying areas for further research.

For many cancer control programs, cancer navigation has emerged as a specific strategy to improve access to supportive care and the patients' experience of cancer care. This study contributes to a better understanding of professional navigation by comparing two Canadian models: Quebec's Pivot Nurse in Oncology (PNO) and Nova Scotia's Cancer Patient Navigator (CPN). Qualitative interviews were conducted with professional navigators, patients and family members, front-line staff, physicians and health administrators (interviews: n = 49; focus groups: n = 10). The two models were analyzed using the professional navigation framework (Fillion et al., 2012). Although the models are different, results show that professional navigators in both programs perform similar functions and face similar challenges. This study highlights the complexity and the value of cancer navigation and recommends relevant actions to optimize its management within the health care system.

Implementing oncology nurse navigators or IPOs (which stands for "infirmière pivot en oncologie") is a key element of the Québec Cancer Control Program in order to improve the continuity of care. This qualitative study describes the process of implementing IPOs in teams working both in hospitals and in the community. Several groups of stakeholders (IPOs, physicians, nurses, various health workers, administrators, people with cancer and their families) described how they perceive the functions and effects related to this implementation. After putting results into perspective, we recommend developing measures promoting the dissemination of the role and integration of IPOs in formally defined health teams. We strongly advocate for the continuation of joint efforts in order to define and clarify this complex role.