By Denise Barajas, MD, FACS, Medical Director, Center for Cancer Care and Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital
At the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, breast cancer care is a team effort.
Effective treatment depends on collaboration among breast imaging specialists, pathologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, navigators, rehabilitation professionals, supportive care teams, and of course, the patient. Every patient’s diagnosis is different, and care should reflect the biology of the cancer, the stage of disease, personal health needs, and the patient’s own priorities and goals.
That is why Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to acknowledge that awareness alone does not remove every barrier to care. Transportation, cost, fear, work and family responsibilities, language, and uncertainty about where to begin can all delay screening or follow-up. We understand that it’s difficult to manage everything, and that having someone on your side, helping you navigate the course of your care and treatment, can make things a little easier.
The Center for Cancer Care’s Patient Care Navigator is an experienced nurse who knows all about cancer care and does everything possible to help you navigate all aspects of your care, and make your diagnosis and treatment understandable and less stressful.
The Patient Care Navigator at the Center for Cancer Care, is available to help patients by:
- Working with your doctors to learn the details of your treatment plan.
- Talking to you and your family about your needs — schedules, medications, transportation, etc. — and approaches that suit you best.
- Communicating your needs to caregivers to make sure your doctors, nurses and therapists all work in a way that works for you.
- Explaining your treatment options to help you and your family make more informed decisions.
- Providing tools to help you keep track of your doctor’s appointments, tests, treatments, and medications, so you and your caregivers always know what’s coming up next.
- Helping you coordinate tests and services and giving you reminders as needed.
- Following up with you and your family to make sure you’re comfortable and well cared for throughout your treatment.
- Recommending wellness programs and classes, including cancer prevention, nutrition support, stress management, and smoking cessation, to help you achieve a healthy lifestyle that can prevent potential cancers.
Griffin is committed to providing person-centered care that helps make the next step clearer and more manageable, from screening and diagnostic evaluation through treatment, recovery, and survivorship. For more information about Griffin’s cancer care services, visit www.griffinhealth.org/cancer.