About Grace Gawler

The Institute’s Founder & Director is Grace Gawler.

Grace Gawler DHM (dist) DBSc ATMS Mem IPOS….

From Academia.edu – “I have 44 years’ experience helping cancer patients to safely navigate the increasingly complex cancer maze.

I work across multiple cancer disciplines, but focus on QoL and wellbeing as patients undergo their treatment. 

I refer to genomic testing and utilise pharmacogenomics to help patients make safe and wise choices when combining complementary medicines with conventional oncology treatments. Patient Education is provided by podcast; Navigating the Cancer Maze Radio.

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I inspired and co-founded Australia’s first Cancer Support Groups in the early 1980’s. Currently I am founder/director of the Grace Gawler Institute based in Queensland Australia. I specialise in assisting patients who fail alternative cancer medicine; shepherding them back into conventional medicine with empathetic doctors and oncologists.

I believe that truth telling and accurate reporting of cancer remission stories is imperative. My letter correcting inaccuracies in a famous Australian patient recovery story was published in the Medical Journal of Australia (September 2010), creating controversy and encouraging patients and doctors to carefully discern fact from fiction in supposed alternative medicine cancer cure claims.

A follow up case review of my MJA letter authored by Professors Haines and Lowenthal followed in the IMJ in 2012.

Recently I contributed to the Beau Donnelly/Nick Toscani book about Belle Gibson called “The Woman who Changed the World”.

Grace Gawler's Milestones - 44 years of cancer service
Grace's Podcasts - Navigating the Cancer Maze Australia

Grace is a rare synthesis of multiple cancer related disciplines. A deeply caring therapist with a deep understanding of modern oncologic treatments, including genomic diagnostic screening & testing, pharmaco-genomics, immune therapies and more.

Leading oncologists around the world collaborate regularly with Grace and appreciate her knowledge and thoroughness. In short; Grace is like a conductor – organising overseas & local doctors to work in ‘harmony’ for the patients benefit.

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Grace has pioneered the application of complementary therapies including naturopathy, botanical medicines & psycho-oncology (managing patient psychology) and the many forms of complementary care to relieve symptoms associated with cancer & cancer treatment & boost treatment outcomes.

As well; Grace foundered Australia’s first Breast Cancer Support Groups in the 80’s. Because her skill set is so comprehensive, so broad-based  Grace is best described as a Cancer Navigator, Cancer Management Consultant or a Multi-Discipline Cancer Strategist.

Grace’s close collaborations with national and international oncology experts gives her enormous experience and adds depth and breadth to her work.

For example, sitting with patients as a patient advocate in oncology consultations across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Germany and Asian countries gives her a perspective – a global benchmark that is unique.

She can, therefor, access state-of-the-art treatments for her patients – increasing treatment options for those told ‘there is nothing more we can do.’

As well, Grace is an active patient educator, via her blogs, newsletters, Internet radio shows, books and public presentations.

Having been in the role of carer for a cancer amputee for many years, then supporter for `18,000+ patients; plus her own survival crisis with a life challenging medical condition, she has a unique experience base to show others a way to recovery.

Her work is acclaimed internationally – contributor to numerous medical journals, Grace has authored 4 books on cancer recovery & motivation & hosts the weekly internet radio show – Navigating the Cancer Maze Australia.

First hand experience seeking overseas treatment: Institute founder, Grace Gawler knows what it like to be a patient with a life-challenging condition who has fallen through gaps in the medical system. A paralysed rectum following a routine surgery in 1997 was to change her life drastically.

In 2002-03, with just one Australian physician supporting her decision to seek an experimental treatment developed in the Netherlands, (15 others did not support her decision); she left Australian to seek her recovery. Her experimental surgery involved a long stay in Rotterdam.

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The procedure involved surgically implanting a bionic device and electrodes in her lower back and buttock; designed to mimic the nerve supply that had been lost. Not tried before for her condition, it was successful and a world first! The device still pulses at 6 volts 24-7 and is responsible for Grace getting her life back; ending years of colon surgeries and failing ileostomy procedures.

The battery operated device needs to be replaced approximately every 3-4 years. So far Grace has undergone 23 surgical procedure since 1997.

The procedure is now performed in Singapore but still not available in Australia.

The Global Health and Travel article (PDF below) features Grace & her surgeon, Dr Lim Jit Fong, discussing her surgery in Singapore- use magnifier to enlarge etc.

Lim Jit and GG – Global Health and Travel_A Return to Normalcy_Pg 44-45

Grace with Dutch Surgeon & Physiotherapist support. Netherlands 2003
Grace & Pip with Surgeon in Singapore

Grace on ‘Walking the Talk’ – “I have walked the path as a patient. Since 1997, I’ve had 23 colon surgeries –  6 overseas. Each gave me quality of life & longevity. I persisted despite doctors in Australia advising it would fail. I believe I’d be dead today if I had taken their advice”. Last surgery – Singapore, Sept 2014.

PODCAST – click here for BBC UK Interview – Grace explains her world first procedure

Hello, I’m Pip Cornall, Grace’s husband. I’ve worked with Grace for over 11.5 years. The following is a snapshot of an amazing woman.

Grace is dedicated. She begins work at 5 am, sometimes earlier & has few days off. Grace is truly altruistic – much of her work is unpaid but done from a place of joy & care for her patients.

Despite her 43 years experience, Grace is always researching & studying, thus her knowledge of cancer recovery has enormous depth and breadth. A number of Australian oncologists, once familiar with her patient outcomes, have said, “if they got cancer they would come to Grace.” Her knowledge is further is evident when she hosts her weekly radio show – Navigating the Cancer Maze Australia – Click Here for Show

You can’t work with someone like Grace & not be inspired by her devotion & intelligent approach. Similarly, patients get great value from her consultations. Click here for Professional Testimonials  &  here for Patient Testimonials

When patients are told – there is nothing more we can do, Grace’s network of leading cancer specialists in AU, USA, UK, EU & Asia, can often provide viable treatment options. Her alliance includes leading brain surgeons, oncologists, inter-ventional radiologists & more.

Sometimes, exploring a wider medical box can yield excellent outcomes, quality of life and life extension. With Grace’s patients I’ve many.