I am an experienced medical oncologist with a deep appreciation of issues facing patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer.
I’m available to provide a second opinion, help with understanding your cancer diagnosis and prognosis, support with ongoing monitoring of your illness, and to explore treatment options with you.
Cancer Second Opinion is the culmination of my many years working with individuals diagnosed with cancer and their families.
Over those years I’ve come to a deep appreciation of the issues that often overwhelm and concern patients, including members of my own family. I have expertise in the management of breast, lung, colo-rectal and pancreatic cancers and their symptoms.
Over my years in public practice, time constraints meant that patients who chose an alternative treatment approach to their cancer were not give much time and empathy. I aim to provide a caring and respectful approach to those who do not see the need for conventional chemotherapy, but would like a holistic approach from a medical oncologist who is prepared to listen to their concerns.
I’m registered with AHPRA as a Medical Oncologist, Clinical Haematologist and Palliative Care Physician and hold Fellowships with the Royal Australian College of Physicians and the Chapter of Palliative Medicine. I originally trained as a laboratory haematologist and received a fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australia, but no longer practice in the laboratory.
Positions held and Lung Cancer Research
Over my career, I’ve been the Director of Oncology, Haematology and Palliative Care at a number of public hospitals in South East Queensland as well as an Oncologist and Haematologist in private practice. I’ve overseen treatment for a broad range of cancers, contributed to research trials on the most effective cancer treatments and helped train many cancer specialists.
In 1981 at The Prince Charles Hospital my colleague, Dr Paul Zimmerman, and I established one of the first (if not the first) multidisciplinary lung cancer team meetings (MDT) in Australia, as well as establishing the first lung cancer database, which became QILCOPS and, later, the QOOL statewide cancer database. We also established a lung cancer tissue bank in the late 80’s/early 90’s which continues to be used and has been expanded upon for cutting edge lung cancer research by Professor Kwun Fong (Clinical Manager of the Pulmonary Malignancy Unit at TPCH and Director of the UQ Thoracic Research Centre). In 1990 based on that MDT data set, we produced the first demographic profile of lung cancer signs and symptoms in Australia.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, my aim is to guide you through the maze of cancer information and treatment options that may be confronting you. For patients who live further afield (interstate, rural and regional locations) or who are unable to attend my clinics, I can arrange consultations via Skype. I hope this website is of help.
I can see patients in Brisbane, Redcliffe, North Lakes, and Burpengary. Skype is available if you are not in Southeast Queensland or cannot attend one of my clinics.
Warm regards,
Geoff
Please note that I’m not currently providing treatment for cancer and do not prescribe chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other targeted cancer therapies. However, I’m available to discuss these treatment options with you and answer your questions and concerns. If required, I can refer patients to appropriate medical specialists providing cancer treatments.
BIO
Dr Geoffrey Hawson,
Associate Professor Griffith University,
Eminent Specialist Queensland Health (2008-2017)
MBBS FRACP FAChPM FRCPA (1976)
Dip. Clin. Hypnosis (ASH) , Certification in Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH)
Registered Medical Oncologist, Clinical Haematologist and Palliative Care Physician
Geoff has a long history of holistic patient care and the management and development of cancer services in Queensland. He trained at the RBWH, PAH & Mater hospitals and since completing his specialty training, has served as
- Director of Pathology and Haematology and Director of Palliative Care at Prince Charles Hospital,
- Director of Oncology and Palliative Care at Redcliffe and Caboolture Hospitals, and
- Director of Medical Oncology at Nambour and Gympie Hospitals.
He was Chair of the Ethics Committee for ten years at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) and has been actively involved as principal or co-investigator in cancer clinical trials for over 20 years.
He is an active promoter of mind body wellness and was Honorary Consultant to the Sunshine Coast Cancer Support Centre (Bloomhill) for seven years.
He holds qualifications in medical hypnosis both in
- Australia: Australian Society of Hypnosis (ASH) and
- USA: American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) [only Australian certified practitioner.]
He is assisted with the ASH Qld Diploma of Clinical Hypnosis training course(2019) and was Qld representative on ASH Federal Body in 2019.
He is particularly interested in the use of hypnosis for pain and nausea, and hot flushes (flashes) in chemotherapy-induced menopause.
Geoff has held the title of Associate Professor with the University of Queensland since 1993 and was recognised for his high level of expertise with the awarding of the title Eminent Specialist by Queensland Health in 2008.
Boards and research
He has served and continues to serve on a range of state and national advisory boards. He is currently
- a council member of the Queensland branch Australian Medical Association and
- secretary of the Redcliffe and Local Medical Association.
Specialty areas
His main areas of specialisation in the last few years have been in
- Lung Cancer,
- Breast Cancer,
- Colo-rectal Cancer,
- Non malignant haematology including haemachromatosis testing.
Geoff has a special interest in the communication of diagnostic and prognostic information (including survival data) to patients with cancer and has contributed to research investigating the best ways to do this. (iTools study)
Research and publications
He has received a range of research grants over his career, authored or co-authored over 70 journal and conference papers in haematology, oncology and palliative care, and given a range of invited talks, including a plenary paper on “Mindfulness and Meditation in Cancer Care” at a recent Brisbane Cancer Conference.
He has been interested in Mindfulness/Meditation and has done the following courses.
- Transcendental Meditation.
- Alpha Dynamics
- Silva Meditation (Basic; Advanced; Ultra)
Whilst on his journey in the areas of mind body interactions he has visited the following people/places:
- Norman Cousins: author of Anatomy of an Illness. He was fortunate to be able to talk with Norman the week before his death and see his temperature control technique in action.
- O. Carl Simonton: author of Getting Well Again. This visit gave him insight in how Carl started with his first patient who became the index patient in Chapter 1 of his book.
- Rosy Thompson author: Loving Medicine The Bristol Cancer Help Centre in the UK
- Bloomhill Cancer Centre Sunshine Coast (see above)
- He has not visited but is a passionate follower of Herbert Benson – The relaxation Response author who has pioneered mind-body interaction over the decades.
- Diploma of Acupuncture ( Beky Park School) – Not practicing acupuncture at present
Out of work interests
Geoff has had a long interest in the martial arts and has a:-
- Third Kyu (green belt) in Judo University of Qld.
- Second dan black belt (Nidan) in Aikido,
- First Dan black belt (Shoden) in Ki with Ki Society. Many Ki principles extend across to everyday life and can help with peoples’ ability to see hidden strengths they did not know or believe they had.
- First Dan black belt (Shodan) in Shinto Muso Ryu Jodo. He has been training in Jodo for the last 17 years with David Dangerfield at Palmwoods and finds it beneficial for co-ordination and health. A very different approach than a weekly game of golf! He has now discovered kettlebells and is a follower of weight training as an important activity as you age.
He enjoys time out with his ukulele and family. The ukulele has been a later in life activity for Geoff.
Contact Dr Hawson for an appointment