I’m Grace Gawler, a trusted independent cancer navigator with over 51 years’ experience. In that time I have learned that successful cancer navigation is rarely about finding one treatment or one specialist. It is about bringing together the right knowledge, the right expertise and the right people at the right time for each individual patient.
I can assist you to navigate the cancer treatment maze; both nationally and internationally.
For decades I’ve championed patient-centred approaches, including minimally invasive treatments, metastasis-directed therapies (MDT), psycho-oncology, genomic testing, second opinions, and more.
I’ve also experienced patient-centred care first-hand. Having faced three types of breast cancer and undergone a world-first, life-saving surgery in the Netherlands, I understand the gravity and complexity of seeking treatment overseas. That journey gives me the confidence and insight to guide patients like you through every step of the process.
What continues to motivate me after 50 years is that I consider your life quality and well-being to be as important to me as it is to you. I fought hard for my survival; I will fight hard for you!
I also act as a conduit to national and global specialists, liaising with your oncology teams exploring options to help you achieve your best outcomes.
Over five decades I have developed trusted professional relationships with clinicians and treatment centres in Australia and internationally, enabling me to connect patients with expertise that is appropriate to their individual circumstances.
When referring you to a clinic or specialist, I’m your advocate and constant guide; before during and after the process.
When your life is on the line; you don’t have to face this journey alone. Contact me Now!
As a pioneer of integrating complementary medicine with cancer care, I help you avoid the traps of unproven alternative treatments through an approach grounded in evidence, informed by experience, and focused on practical outcomes.
I ensure patients stay grounded in evidence-based medicine; while also helping them integrate safe, supportive therapies that won’t compromise their outcome. I help them avoid costly missteps, make informed choices, and gain the full benefit of my five decades as an independent cancer navigator.
My expert guidance often becomes the turning point; especially for those tempted to abandon medical treatments that could save their lives.
Bridging the Gap:
Many patients experience the gaps in standard of care cancer medicine. I explain that most medical systems, especially oncology, are in overwhelm and may not be able to meet patient’s needs. I aim to bridge this gap with real-world insight, helping patients feel not only informed, but genuinely prepared and supported every step of the way.
My guidance brings clarity where confusion often reigns; strength where doubt creeps in; and confidence where patients might otherwise feel lost. I bring a rare blend of skill, experience, and compassion to every patient I support.
My approach is grounded in decades of navigating complex cancer cases with clarity and care. With genuine understanding and a heart for those facing difficult choices, I help patients feel seen, heard, and empowered.
t can be helpful to think of hospitals as boxes. Smaller hospitals are like smaller boxes with a smaller bag of treatment options. Larger hospitals are bigger boxes with broader expertise, more technologies and a wider range of treatment opportunities.
Regional hospitals and smaller capital city hospitals, such as Hobart, often provide excellent care but may have fewer specialists, limited access to clinical trials and a narrower range of advanced treatments. Larger centres in Melbourne or Sydney usually offer a broader range of services, including genomic profiling, immunotherapy and specialised multidisciplinary expertise.
The pattern continues internationally. Major centres in Japan, Germany, Singapore and the United States often treat very large numbers of cancer patients and may offer technologies or therapies that are not yet widely available in Australia or New Zealand.
Being told there are “no more treatment options” does not always mean that no further options exist. It may simply mean that none are available within that particular hospital or healthcare system. Sometimes a larger centre, nationally or internationally, can offer additional possibilities for carefully selected patients.
My cancer navigation is about helping patients move from smaller boxes to bigger ones when that is in their best interests—opening doors to knowledge, expertise and treatment options that may not otherwise have been considered.