The impact of nurses' encounters with cancer on their attitudes towards the disease

Summary

• ? A study to develop understanding of nurses' knowledge, confidence and educational needs in relation to cancer care was undertaken.
• ? Data from this study on nurses' attitudes and the effect of professional encounters with cancer on such attitudes are presented.
• ? A cancer attitude scale was completed by 127 nurses, and 68 of the sample were interviewed in depth.
• ? Data presented reveal a pervasive negative attitude towards cancer amongst these nurses, and the important negative impact that professional encounters with cancer have on nurses' feelings about the disease.
• ? Data presented are taken from a larger study, which is reported elsewhere (Corner, 1990; Corner & Wilson-Barnett, 1992).