Dr David Joske admits he copped a lot of criticism from other health professionals when he pioneered the use of integrative cancer treatments but his faith in the services have now been “rewarded a thousand-fold”.

The clinical haematologist is best known for founding Solaris Cancer Care in 2001, which provides free support and wellness services to cancer patients to complement their conventional cancer treatments.

That alongside his significant service to haematology has now earned him the honour of becoming a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

“The Solaris Foundation is a story every West Australian can and should be very proud of, and every member of the Solaris family shares a part of this award,” Dr Joske said.

“I especially wish to thank Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital for unstinting support, and my patients who taught me so much.”

Dr Joske trained in medicine at the University of Western Australia before researching the role glandular virus has in causing lymphoma in Switzerland and working on the bone marrow transplant wards at Hammersmith Hospital in London.

But it was his time as the head of haematology at SCGH, which he was appointed to in 1994, when he noticed many cancer patients were seeking complementary therapies alongside their conventional treatments.

Rather than dismissing these alternative therapies such as massage, reflexology, reiki, meditation and counselling, he saw an opportunity to bridge these practices with traditional cancer treatment.

“As a young consultant, I reached the conclusion that while our cancer care was technically good, we made a bad fist of communication with people and their supportive care,” Dr Joske said.

“This led me to start what has become the Solaris Cancer Care Foundation. It was the first such organisation in Australia, dedicated to give people support and access to safe, free and supervised complementary therapies.

“I copped a lot of criticism at the time and I admit to losing sleep over the decision to move things into a foundation.

“I was placing my professional reputation in the hands of practitioners that mainstream medicine had rejected for decades. That faith has been rewarded a thousand-fold.”

Since its opening, over 25,000 West Australians have been supported within metro and regional centres as well as outreach services to the South West and Pilbara and online support.

It’s also one of the largest volunteer organisations in the State.

The therapies at Solaris aren’t intended to replace conventional cancer treatments but to work alongside them to help address the emotional needs of patients.

It’s now been proven that the services improve quality of life and mitigate cancer symptoms and treatment side effects.

“As a cancer doctor, the difference between a terrified, poorly informed, isolated cancer patient, versus one who may have used Solaris, and is supported, better informed, receiving free therapies for their pain or nausea or insomnia or fatigue — the four commonest cancer symptoms — is chalk and cheese, and incredibly gratifying,” Dr Joske said.

He also said the service has provided community for some that, otherwise, would have none.

“Unexpectedly, I have also learnt the importance of community for people who are facing illness, and how much we have lost community in the way we have organised our society,” Dr Joske said.

“I have lost count of the number of times medical colleagues have stopped me to say, ‘I thought what you were doing was mumbo-jumbo rubbish but my family or friend used Solaris and now I get it’.”

His achievements with Solaris Care would be enough for more than a lifetime but Dr Joske has also given significant service to haematology.

He was a clinical haematologist at SCGH for almost 30 years, retiring in 2023.

When he first became the head of haematology, Dr Joske’s goal was to bring more clinical trials for blood cancers into the hospital.

Now, SCGH has became a major contributor to leukaemia and lymphoma trials.

“I am incredibly proud of the world-class department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital I helped to build up, the various research studies and culture that we established, and some multi-disciplinary clinics that I initiated for people with thalassaemia and cutaneous lymphoma,” Dr Joske said.

Other significant achievements in his career have included being awarded the Carl de Gruchy Oratorship in 2019, which is the highest honour bestowed by the Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand.

He was also named the Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016.

“I can honestly say that my inspiration came from my patients who every day displayed grace, dignity and bravery in tough circumstances,” Dr Joske said.