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Abstract

Background
Evidence is needed to inform cancer care career, education, training and development policy and succession planning in the UK.

Aim
To identify demographic characteristics, specialist knowledge and skills, and career aspirations of the cancer healthcare professional workforce in the United Kingdom.

Methods
Cross-sectional data was collected over six weeks via an online survey shared by cancer care professional societies in the UK and through social media.

Results
Of 606 respondents, the majority were between 45-54 years old, most had more than 10 years’ experience working in cancer care and the majority had an extended role. A lack of confidence correlated with lack of access to specialist education and training and career pathways. 47 respondents planned retirement within 2 – 5 years. Variations were identified in workforce characteristics.

Conclusion and key findings
Cancer healthcare professionals experience challenges in accessing education and training, there are regional workforce variations and the nature of the cancer care workforce in the UK is aging.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in British Journal of Nursing, copyright © MA Healthcare, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2025.0180
Publisher Keywords:	Cancer, Career Pathway, Education, Retirement, Specialist, Workforce.
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer) R Medicine > RT Nursing
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences School of Health & Medical Sciences > Department of Nursing & Midwifery
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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