Presenter Profile: Lauren Pretorius
CEO and Co-founder of Campaigning for Cancer NPC
ILCN: What is your presentation about?
Ms. Pretorius: My presentation explores how patient navigators do far more than coordinate care. Through their daily interactions with patients, they gain unique insights into the real barriers people face when trying to access diagnosis, treatment, and support. These experiences not only improve care for individual patients but also inform policy and help shape stronger, more responsive healthcare systems across different countries and settings.
At its core, the presentation is about recognizing navigators as frontline change agents. They don’t just help patients navigate the healthcare system; they also help health systems understand where patients get lost. By bringing the realities of lived experience into decision-making, navigation becomes a powerful link between clinical care, health system improvement, and policy advocacy.
Navigation as a Catalyst for Change: Mobilizing Health Care Providers, Carers, and Patient Advocates to Improve Access and Influence Lung Cancer Policy
Monday, September 14, at 15:30 KST • Room 300, Conference Room
Lauren Pretorius, CEO and co-founder of Campaigning for Cancer NPC—a South African advocacy patient group—will discuss navigators as frontline change agents. LEARN MORE
ILCN: Why is this topic timely or important in 2026?
Ms. Pretorius: Healthcare systems worldwide face increasing pressure to do more with fewer resources while still delivering person-centered care. For years, we’ve talked about patient-centered healthcare and developed frameworks to support it, but meaningful change requires a true understanding of patients’ experience as they move through the system.
Patient navigators are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. They work alongside patients at every stage of their journey, seeing firsthand where systems work well and where they fall short. By capturing these real-world experiences, navigators provide valuable evidence that helps policymakers and healthcare leaders make more informed, patient-focused decisions.
In 2026, I believe we must shift how we think about navigation. Patient navigation should not be an afterthought or an optional service added only when resources allow. Instead, it should be considered a primary investment and a core resource allocation within every healthcare system. When navigation is embedded from the outset, it not only improves patient outcomes and experiences but also helps health systems use their resources more effectively by identifying barriers early, reducing fragmentation, and ensuring care reaches those who need it most.
ILCN: How do you envision your work in this area benefiting future clinical strategies or patient care?
Ms. Pretorius: Every healthcare system can feel like a maze when you are diagnosed with cancer. Navigation helps patients find their way through that complexity while ensuring they do not fall through the cracks. Beyond supporting individual patients, navigators also identify recurring challenges that can inform improvements in clinical pathways, service delivery, and policy.
As health systems become increasingly strained, navigators are becoming essential bridges between patients, healthcare providers, and the broader support services that people need. Listening to what navigators learn from patients allows us to design healthcare that is not only more efficient but also more equitable and responsive to people’s actual needs.
ILCN: What are you most looking forward to at the 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC)?
Ms. Pretorius: One of the greatest strengths of WCLC is the opportunity to learn from people working in different healthcare systems around the world and to connect with them. I look forward to sharing experiences, learning from colleagues and patients, and taking those insights home to help improve the experiences of people living with lung cancer in my own setting.
ILCN: What do you hope the audience will take away from your presentation?
Ms. Pretorius: No one should be expected to navigate a cancer diagnosis, a complex healthcare system, and the financial and emotional impact of cancer alone. That is exactly why navigation matters.
Navigators help patients avoid learning difficult lessons through trial and error—they know the healthcare system in ways that patients simply cannot be expected to. Beyond coordinating care, they also address barriers that healthcare systems often overlook, including health literacy, cultural stigma, and access to community support.
I hope the audience leaves recognizing that patient navigation is not a luxury or an optional extra. It is a practical, evidence-based approach that improves patient experiences while generating the insights needed to build stronger, more patient-centered healthcare systems.
