In this spotlight Monday Lunch Live and RECAP Journal Club crossover, the VCCC Alliance will explore the implementation and impact of a nurse navigator-led geriatric oncology service at the Townsville Cancer Centre, a regional cancer care facility in North Queensland.
Established in April 2020, this pilot program aimed to provide timely geriatric assessments, support treatment decisions, and improve the safety of systemic therapy for older patients, all within the constraints of regional staffing and resources.
Older patients with cancer in rural and regional areas often experience poorer outcomes compared to their urban counterparts, despite representing a significant proportion of the patient population. Nurse navigators play a critical role in cancer care by assisting patients and caregivers to overcome barriers, coordinating care, and guiding patients through complex treatment pathways.
A/Prof Christopher Steer, who co-chaired the development of the Optimal Care Pathway for older people with cancer, will chair the journal club.
Speakers include three authors from the Townsville Cancer Centre:
- Sally Allen, Nurse Navigator (Cancer Services)
- Zulfiquer Otty, Staff Specialist in Medical Oncology
- Shivanshan Pathmanathan, Medical Oncologist, Geriatric Oncology Lead
Our ‘Authors in the Room’ will review the study’s design, outcomes, and implications for regional cancer care, discussing how resource-adapted geriatric oncology models can be applied in clinical practice. This session is ideal for regional, rural, and remote cancer care professionals, as well as anyone interested in research and service innovation.