Olubukola Ayodele, Breast Cancer Lead at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“I attended my first UKONS (UK Oncology Nursing Society) annual conference as an invited speaker. It was a real privilege to speak about addressing inequities in cancer care, a topic that means so much to me.
Nurses are the beating heart of cancer care. They spend the most time with patients, they hear the unfiltered realities of people’s experiences, and they often spot the early signs that something isn’t quite right. Their role in recognising and challenging inequity is invaluable.
My talk focused on three things: identifying, understanding, and acting on inequalities. Data helps us see where the gaps are, but it’s the stories and experiences shared by patients and communities that help us understand why those gaps exist. And meaningful action only happens when we bring both together.
The feedback from the session was incredibly encouraging. Many nurses said they felt more equipped to recognise inequalities in their own settings and more confident in asking the right questions. That’s exactly why these conversations matter. Change doesn’t always start with big projects or national policies, sometimes it begins with one empowered professional who chooses to do something differently.
It was brilliant to share the stage with Emily Scott and Lorraine Turner who are both passionate about inequalities.
I also witnessed my friend Prof Annie Young receive a lifetime achievement award from European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS). Annie founded UKONS 20 years ago.
I also met Dr Elaine Vickers who did a phenomenal talk on 20 years of systemic cancer treatments. She spoke about the science behind the drugs in such a simplified manner.
I’m grateful to UKONS and Gilead Sciences UK and Ireland for the opportunity to shine a light on this work and for creating space for honest, practical discussions about equity in cancer care. There’s still a long way to go, but progress is possible, especially when we work together.”
More posts featuring Olubukola Ayodele.
