A
diagnosis of cancer is life changing.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the questions and worries: Am I going to
be okay? How do I tell my loved ones I have cancer? Where do I even start?
Beginning
at your time of diagnosis, there are many decisions to be made about treatment
and next steps, with some affecting your quality of life. You want to make the
right decisions for you and your family — but how do you know what’s right?
That’s
where I come in. As a patient navigator, I am here for you.
A
navigator serves as your partner in navigating the complex road of cancer care.
Navigators work individually with you and your family to provide a personalized
approach and ongoing support throughout the cancer journey.
We
advocate and empower you to make informed healthcare decisions, so you can
focus on recovery and healing.
From
diagnosis and treatment all the way to survivorship, a navigator will be by
your side to…
Educate you on what to expect.
Your
navigator can help you understand the multidisciplinary nature of cancer care
and provide evidence-based information that enhances your ability to make
informed healthcare decisions. They can also help you find appropriate and
credible resources to learn more about your diagnosis, treatment options, and
next steps.
Empower you with resources.
It’s
important for you to be able to communicate your preferences and priorities for
treatment to your healthcare team. Your navigator can help empower you to
participate in the management of your own healthcare decisions by providing
self-management tools and resources.
They
can also help remove any barriers to care and work with you to create potential
solutions to those barriers, which may be financial, practical or social
challenges. Consulting a navigator is a good way to get connected with valuable
resources such as support groups, financial assistance and
transportation.
Cancer hates defenders. That’s why Cancer Hates Us.
Advocate for you.
A
navigator will advocate on your behalf to make sure you receive high-quality
care and that all your personal needs are met. By helping coordinate the
different areas of your care and treatment, your navigator helps make sure all
members of your care team are on the same page.
Support you emotionally.
The
cancer journey can be difficult and sometimes it’s hard to voice your concerns
and fears to your loved ones. A navigator can employ active listening and
support you in the ways you need it.
You
should never feel alone in your cancer journey. As you focus on battling this
disease, your navigator will always be there for you, guiding you and
supporting you every step of the way.
Patients
and family members can request navigation services, which are available at no
cost. Learn more about patient navigation services at
Baylor University Medical Center, or find navigation and cancer support
services near you.
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