Monday Lunch Live x RECAP Journal Club

The impact of a nurse-navigator geriatric oncology model

9 February 2026

Providing early access to geriatric oncology services in a regional cancer centre

In this spotlight Monday Lunch Live and RECAP Journal Club crossover, we 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.

We look at the Pub Med journal article "Providing early access to geriatric oncology services in a regional cancer centre – A two-year experience in the establishment of a Geriatric Oncology Nurse Navigator Model. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 16(1), 102145 - Sebastian Kang, Sally Allen, Amy BrownDinuka Ariyarathna Sabe Sabesan, Corinne Ryan, Suresh Varma, Zulfiquer Otty, Abhishek Joshi, Shivanshan Pathmanathan (2025).

Our 'Authors in the Room' 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.

Chair

A/Prof Christopher Steer
Medical Oncologist, Border Medical Oncology, Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre and UNSW Rural Clinical Campus, Albury; Adjunct Professor at Latrobe University, Wodonga 

A/Prof Steer gained his medical degree at the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital before completing physician training in medical oncology in 2000. After gaining his fellowship, Christopher travelled to London to work as a clinical research fellow at Kings College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital. Whilst at Guy’s he developed an interest in gynaecological oncology and cancer in the older adult and continues to use this expertise on a daily basis in his clinical practice and research.

A/Prof Steer returned to Albury Wodonga to join Border Medical Oncology in 2003. He has continued his passion for clinical research and held a teaching position at the UNSW Rural Clinical School since. He is a passionate advocate for improving the care of older adults with cancer and has served on the board of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG). He continues his research and advocacy to improve the care of all patients with a diagnosis of cancer with a focus on improving the supportive care of older adults. He is co-chair of the Regional Trials Victoria - ReVITALISE geriatric oncology initiative and of the VCCC Alliance / MPCCC research advisory committee for Older Adults with Cancer.

Speakers

Sally Allen
Nurse Navigator (Cancer Services) Clinical Nurse Consultant, Townsville Cancer Centre, QLD

Sally Allen has several years' experience as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in cancer care, with qualifications including a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing, and an Honours Degree in Cancer Care.

Dr Shivanshan Pathmanathan
Medical Oncologist, Geriatric Oncology Lead, Townsville Cancer Centre, QLD

Dr Shiv Pathmanathan completed his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at James Cook University in 2012 and subsequently undertook specialist medical oncology training at various Brisbane, Gold Coast and North Queensland hospitals and tertiary oncology centres.

Dr Pathmanathan maintains a strong commitment to improving models of care for patients, with a particular interest in geriatric patient management and enhancing access to cancer care for vulnerable patient groups. His clinical experience covers a wide range of solid tumour malignancies, with a special interest in breast cancer, skin cancer including melanoma, genitourinary cancer, gastrointestinal cancer and geriatric oncology.