Confronting Climate Change: The Professional Roles and Practical Challenges of Oncology Nurse Navigators
Abstract
In this paper, the impacts of climate change on cancer-related health risks and oncology care systems are examined, with a particular focus on the evolving professional role of oncology nurse navigators within climate-adaptive care. Although not a direct cause of disease, climate change reshapes the distribution of cancer risks and increases the vulnerability of treatment safety and continuity through multiple environmental pathways. Beyond the acute disruptions triggered by extreme weather events, climate change produces chronic and recurrent instability in cancer care, resulting in treatment delays, interregional referrals, and sustained psychological stress. In response, the role of the oncology nurse navigator must evolve to become highly attuned to the practical health risks and changing healthcare needs brought about by changing climatic conditions. This transformation involves conducting vulnerability assessments and risk stratification across environmental, disease-related, and socioeconomic dimensions; integrating climate and environmental signals into clinical judgments and decision-making; and implementing anticipatory interventions supported by innovative and digital tools. A climate-adaptive care network grounded in cross-sector collaboration is proposed to strengthen feedback mechanisms and system-level coordination. Finally, climate adaptation-related competencies should be integrated into oncology nurse navigator education and training using clearly defined…
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