CANCER Mnemonic: A structured approach to oncologic emergencies in acute care

• The CANCER mnemonic offers a structured guide for managing oncologic emergencies. • Addresses critical gaps in acute oncology training for emergency healthcare providers. • Enhances provider preparedness and improves patient-centered emergency oncology care. • Supports better decision-making and coordinated communication in acute care settings. • CANCER mnemonic integration can promote systematic, efficient management of cancer emergencies. The global rise in cancer cases is creating unprecedented demands on emergency departments (EDs), with approximately 75% of cancer patients visiting EDs during their final year of life. Despite the frequency of these encounters, many emergency professionals report feeling unprepared to manage complex oncological emergencies. To address this educational gap, we developed the "CANCER" mnemonic (Confirm cancer diagnosis, Assess advanced directives, identify Necessities, Communicate with care team, Emergency management, Reassess and revise) as part of the Acute Oncology Life Support® certification program. This cognitive aid was designed through extensive literature review and multidisciplinary expert consultation to guide systematic assessment and management of oncologic emergencies. The mnemonic provides a structured framework for emergency professionals to confirm cancer status, verify advance directives, review current treatments, coordinate with oncology teams, implement evidence-based interventions, and continuously reassess clinical responses. Implementation strategies include EHR integration, standardized documentation, and simulation-based training. While preliminary feedback suggests improved clinical decision-making and provider confidence, multi-center validation studies are needed to establish its impact on patient outcomes, provider performance, and resource utilization. The CANCER mnemonic represents a promising approach to standardizing and optimizing emergency care for the growing population of cancer patients.