Nicola K. Poplawski is an oncologist based in Adelaide, SA 5000. She looks after people with cancer and also supports families who have certain inherited conditions that can raise cancer risk. The focus is on steady, practical care, with clear next steps and a plan that fits the person in front of her.
On the cancer side, her work covers things like breast cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, leukaemias such as acute myeloid leukaemia, and brain and spinal tumours (including meningioma and other similar growths). She also works with people who have neuroendocrine tumours and gastrointestinal stromal tumours.
Many patients also come in because there’s a family history. Over time, some inherited syndromes can affect how genes work and may link to higher chances of cancer or other long-term health issues. Nicola helps people understand what their diagnosis could mean, and how that might change screening, treatment choices, and follow-up. This can be a lot to take in, especially for families trying to make sense of what runs in the family.
Her clinical work also touches on broader inherited and rare conditions, including Lynch syndrome and familial colorectal cancer, Cowden syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and familial adenomatous polyposis. She also works with people who have conditions like maturity onset diabetes of the young and familial hypercholesterolaemia, where health planning matters early. At times, care may involve people with complex syndromes that can affect more than one body system.
In practice, the aim is not just to treat a current problem. It’s also about helping patients and families look ahead. That can include discussions about ongoing monitoring, how results are interpreted, and what options exist if treatments need to change.
Nicola stays up to date with new research and evolving treatment options. She understands that cancer care moves fast, and patients often want to know what the latest evidence means in real life. Clinical trials can be part of that conversation when they’re relevant, though which options are suitable depends on the individual situation.
If you’re in Adelaide and looking for an oncologist, Nicola K. Poplawski offers care for both cancer and inherited conditions, with an approach that’s calm, clear, and focused on what matters most for each patient.