Nurses are being offered free training to improve awareness and treatment of kidney cancer, reports nursingtimes.net.

A charity, the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer, is offering a course developed by uro-oncology nurse specialists and consists of a series of online modules.

The study is also running regular, free study days across the UK for registered nurses.

A lack of skills among nurses and doctors in diagnosing the rare kidney cancer prompted the move to offer the courses, according to the Rarer Cancers Foundation.

Knowing that their nurses are qualified to diagnose such a cancer should provide relief for those in nurse manager jobs.

Charity founder and chair James Whale said: "We hope the course will help to increase awareness of the issues facing patients with this devastating disease."

"Early diagnosis is very important for kidney cancer patients if treatment is to be successful - this course will highlight this issue and ensure the people dealing directly with patients are well-informed of the pros and cons of kidney cancer treatment."

Free learning website Cancernursing.org helped developed the programme which includes tests, case scenarios and optional research activities.

Jameswhalefund.org claims that the fund is also organising regular Nurse Study Days throughout the UK which are free to attend for registered nurses.