On the frontline: the vital role of the Clinical Nurse Consultant for lung cancer and mesothelioma patients

In this episode of Dust Disease Diaries, James O’Loghlin sits down with Amy O’Donnell, Clinical Nurse Consultant and the first lung cancer nurse at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, about why specialist nurses aren’t just important – they can change lives.

Supporting patients from the point of diagnosis and all the way through – it is the nurses that are uniquely positioned to provide both medical care and emotional support. They help patients understand their diagnosis, help them navigate through treatment, answer questions and provide emotional and psychological support. And this is exactly why Amy loves her role. She talks to James about the range of patients she supports - from those experiencing homelessness to those surrounded by loving families.

And the challenges? Balancing the needs of lung cancer patients and mesothelioma patients. Without a dedicated mesothelioma unit, these patients are lumped into the lung cancer service—but their needs are completely different. Amy breaks down how she supports people facing this tough diagnosis: a cancer with a poor prognosis, limited treatment options, and a huge psychological burden—especially because it’s an avoidable disease.

She also dives into the wider challenges of lung cancer care, including the stigma around smoking that can make this illness incredibly isolating, and the education and support she provides.

Looking ahead, Amy shares her vision for what’s needed – greater awareness and understanding, more compassion and support for patients, dedicated specialist nurses and continued research to expand treatment options.

This is a must-listen conversation for anyone wanting to understand the crucial role specialist nurses play in supporting patients with mesothelioma and lung cancer—and what more can be done to improve care and outcomes.

· Since this episode was recorded, the National Lung Cancer Screening Program launched in July 2025 to help detect lung cancer at an early stage in people at higher risk, particularly long-term smokers and former smokers.

Amy O’Donnell is a Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. Amy was the first appointed lung cancer nurse in Lifehouse in May of 2019 and has developed the role of the specialist lung cancer nurse there. Her dedication to the role has been invaluable and has attracted further funding. She now works alongside a lung cancer Nurse Practitioner.

You can find out more about Amy here.

Amy is a member of the Specialist Lung Cancer Nurse Advisory Group coordinated by ADDRI as part of the Commonwealth Mesotheliomas Alliance – a partnership between ADDRI and Mesothelioma UK, supported by the Biaggio Signorelli Foundation, to share research and nursing expertise to support people suffering from mesothelioma across the Commonwealth. Find out more about the CMA here.

To find out more about ADDRI, visit our website.

Thank you to our Podcast Interviewer and host James O’Loghlin and Producer Rod Morri from Sydney Podcast Studios <hyperlink https://sydneypodcaststudios.com.au/

If you have any questions or comments, please email info@addri.org.au