Dear Colleagues in Cancer Nursing,

The 15^th International Conference on Cancer Nursing is fast approaching, and the interest and excitement is building with each passing day. Many nurses have been working hard on the Scientific Program Committee and on the Local Planning Committee to make this conference stimulating, special and fun.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care I would like to encourage and invite you to attend this exciting event. ICCN is the largest and longest-running international cancer nursing conference. For the first time in the event’s 27-year history, the 15^th ICCN will be held in an Asian city. The vibrant, multi-cultural, cosmopolitan and sophisticated Garden City of Singapore expresses the essence of today’s New Asia.

The theme for the 15^th ICCN is "Creating Partnerships, Championing Progress, and Celebrating Practice", and the conference provides a wonderful opportunity to reinforce, rekindle and create partnerships with other cancer nurses around the world; exchanging ideas and experiences, sharing new learnings, renewing old friendships …and creating new ones.

To reinforce our Championing Progress theme, we will hear about the latest developments in cancer control and about the valuable support network we offer both the cancer patients and their family members. The Celebrating Practice theme highlights and promotes the essential role that nurses play in the prevention, treatment and care in cancer patients worldwide, together exploring themes including symptom management, quality of life, patient safety, palliative care, pediatric and elderly cancer patient care.

I would like to close in saying that ICCN is special in so many ways. When cancer nurses from around the world gather together, the atmosphere is electric. We had 46 countries represented in Toronto, our last conference in 2006, and we expect even more this year in Singapore. The sense of comradeship amongst the participants is inspiring, and has to be experienced to be believed. Following our time together, we can return back to our respective countries, with a newfound energy and motivation in continuing our commitment to oncology nursing, our patients and colleagues.

We look forward to welcoming you to Singapore, and to Asia!




Sanchia Aranda
President
International Society of Nurses in Cancer (ISNCC)