The knowledge and skills needed by cancer nurses and the content and strategies of England's existing cancer nursing education programs were examined. The study included a comprehensive literature review and an analysis of course documents from selected English National Board-approved post-qualifying cancer nursing and palliative care courses offered at five major nursing education centers in England. The following key themes were identified as being significant to cancer care nursing education: prevention and detection/diagnosis; the nature of cancer; treatment; psychosocial aspects; rehabilitation and survivorship; death and dying; organization of care; key skills; and the future of cancer nurse education. Analysis of the course documents suggested that England's educational centers are able to respond positively and rapidly to the changing cancer care agenda. However, the existing curricula appeared to have major weaknesses in the areas of rehabilitation and interagency working. Concerns about the issue of assessment overload were raised. Further empirical research on the patient care-related outcomes of existing post-registration cancer and palliative care courses for nurses was deemed necessary. (Forty tables are included. The following items are appended: search strategies; data extraction sheet; list of outline curricula examined during the literature review; analytical headings, content analysis proforma, and module contents sheet. Contains 239 references.) (MN)