Celebrating our Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists this National Cancer CNS Day

Every day across our health board, cancer clinical nurse specialists (CNS) make a life‑changing difference to people living with cancer. 

This National Cancer CNS Day (16 March 2026), we’re celebrating the dedication, expertise and compassion of our CNS teams – the people who guide patients through some of their most difficult moments. 

From coordinating personalised care to providing emotional and practical support, Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists are a constant source of knowledge and reassurance. 

Today we’re sharing stories from our incredible CNS colleagues and the impact they make across our CTM communities. 

If you're interested in joining our team, keep an eye on our latest Nursing and Midwifery vacancies on our jobs website. 

Meet Natalie 

As a Lung Cancer CNS, my role is to support patients and their families throughout their lung cancer journey.  

From the time of diagnosis, I help explain information about their diagnosis, investigations and treatments, answer questions, and make sure patients understand what to expect. I also help with any practical or social support a patient may need such as referrals to social services, benefits advice, and emotional support services. 

I work closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals as part of the multidisciplinary team to make sure each patient receives coordinated and personalised care. I also act as a main point of contact, so patients and their families know who they can reach out to for advice, reassurance, or support. 

I run nurse-led clinics for patients after surgery and radiotherapy, where I check on their recovery, help manage side effects, and talk about any concerns they may have. I also provide supportive care, helping patients manage symptoms and maintain the best possible quality of life. 

The most rewarding part of my role is… 

Getting to know patients and supporting them during a very difficult time in their lives. It is important to me that patients feel listened to, supported, and not alone on their journey. 

Helping patients feel more confident about their care, managing symptoms, and being there to answer questions or offer reassurance can make a real difference. Knowing that I have helped someone feel supported and cared for is what makes this role so meaningful. 

Meet Sarah 

I am an Upper G.I (Gastro-intestinal) and pancreatic cancer nurse specialist based at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. I have had the privilege of working in my team for the past seven years. 

There are many important aspects involved in my role: 

• Meeting new patients as soon as cancer is suspected.  

• Arranging any extra tests quickly so patients can get a prompt diagnosis and treatment plan.  

• Being the patient’s keyworker and main point of contact, offering regular support.  

• Speaking up for the patient in multidisciplinary team meetings to help choose the best care plan.  

• Checking and managing symptoms.  

• Giving advice and support with nutrition.  

• Being a caring, compassionate and friendly face to help make the patient’s cancer journey a little easier, and providing high-quality, joined up, person-centred care. 

The most rewarding part of being a cancer specialist nurse is… 

Being able to make a difference to patients and their family’s experiences when they are faced with the most vulnerable time. Having to live with and beyond a cancer diagnosis is extremely challenging and vulnerable. It is vital that patients and families are supported at every point of the cancer pathway and I believe that as a team we do achieve this. 

Meet Lauren 

I am an Upper GI cancer nurse specialist at the Princess of Wales Hospital. 

I support patients and their families throughout their cancer journey, acting as their main point of contact and offering both clinical and emotional support.  

I look after my own group of patients and make sure they get the best and most up‑to‑date care to help them feel better and do well. 

The most rewarding and privileged part of being a CNS is… 

Acting as a trusted guide during the most vulnerable and challenging times of our patients’ lives and being part of their journey and being able to support them throughout. 

It’s rewarding to have the ability to make positive impacts on our patients’ lives. 

Meet Anna 

My role is Upper GI and Pancreatic Cancer Nurse Specialist based at Prince Charles Hospital.  

I support people who have been diagnosed with Upper GI or pancreatic cancer. This includes staying in touch, answering questions and helping patients understand what to expect. 

I work closely with the wider team to make sure care is well coordinated, follows national guidelines, and happens as smoothly and quickly as possible. 

Meet Donna  

Colorectal CNS, Donna, shares her role within CTM and what she enjoys most in this video. 

CNSs work closely with their teams to make sure every patient receives safe, compassionate and coordinated care. 

Donna also shared: “Having Healthcare Support Worker, Alison, by my side makes an enormous difference to the care we’re able to provide. In her role, she is often the first reassuring face our patients see, and her compassion sets the tone for everything that follows.” 

Meet Rebecca  

Colorectal Triage ANP, Rebecca, talks about her role within CTM and the most rewarding part of her job in this video.  

Meet our Snowdrop Breast Centre CNS colleagues – Heather, Martine, Shinice, Kath, and Sian 

They shared: “We have the privilege of supporting patients and their families through one of the most difficult times in their lives. From the moment of diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond, we are here to offer guidance, answer questions, provide reassurance and simply be there when it’s needed most. 

“The most rewarding part of our role is building relationships with our patients and walking alongside them on their journey. Knowing we’ve been able to support them through that time is what makes this role so meaningful. We feel incredibly proud to do this job and care for the amazing patients who trust us to be part of their journey every day.” 

Meet our Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist Team – Helen, Debbie, Hayley and Rose 

Our Colorectal Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist team supports patients through every stage of their bowel cancer or colorectal disease journey.  

Our two specialist nurses Helen and Hayley work alongside Colorectal Cancer Navigator, Debbie, and Colorectal Cancer Secretary, Rose, to altogether provide clear information, manage symptoms and guide patients through investigations and treatment. They also offer specialist stoma care, teaching and supporting patients as they adjust to life with a stoma. 

Alongside day‑to‑day care, the team completes Holistic Needs Assessments and acts as key workers, ensuring personalised, timely and compassionate support from diagnosis to survivorship. They work closely with the local stoma support group to help run events twice a year and actively fundraise for their trust charity, Bowel Butties, showing their commitment to going above and beyond for patients and families. 

16/03/26