Geoff is 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. He originally trained as a laboratory haematologist and received a fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australia, but no longer practices in the laboratory.
Positions held and Lung Cancer Research
Over his career, he has 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. He has overseen treatment for a broad range of cancers, contributed to research trials on the most effective cancer treatments and helped train many cancer specialists.
Please note that he is not not currently providing treatment for cancer and does not prescribe chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other targeted cancer therapies.
BIO
Dr Geoffrey Hawson,
Associate Professor University of Queensland,
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 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.]
and is particularly interested in the use of hypnosis for pain and nausea, and hot flushes (flashes) in chemotherapy-induced menopause. He is currently looking at self hypnosis for management of symptoms, mindfulness and the use of hypnosis to assist patients undergoing radiological procedures in the investigation and management of their cancer.
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 16 years at Palmwoods and finds it beneficial for co-ordination and health.
He enjoys time out with his ukulele and family. The ukulele has been a later in life activity for Geoff.