Last week we talked about surgery cancer and COVID-19. Some of the things discussed concerned the ways in which postponing cancer surgery causes stress on patients, as well as thinking that it is still unclear how that delay affects survival. But even without the current pandemic, cancer all by itself, or the big C word, scary and causes a great deal of emotion on those patients and families who receive this diagnosis.
One of the ways we help alleviate this stress is with cancer navigation. If that word “navigation” seems odd, you have to realize the seemingly unending maze that comprises current cancer care: X-rays, mammograms, ultrasounds, fine needle biopsy, large core biopsy, large core vacuum-assisted biopsy, pathology, receptors, immunohistochemistry, CAT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, aggressive surgery, minimally invasive surgery, no surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, oral targeted therapy, radiation therapy, brachytherapy, etc.
At our practice, we believe strongly in helping patients find their way through these dauntless choices. We offer a cancer navigator, Amy Hoke, who has been certified in general cancer navigation and had special training in breast navigation. With this personal touch, it becomes possible to shine a light on the best paths to choose and help our patients find the ideal way that leads to their treatment and recovery.
The Growing Importance of Cancer Care Navigation
From the time of diagnosis, every cancer patient is a survivor. What we try to do here is help steer that patient to a course that gives them the best chance of long-lasting health and quality of life. Since our navigation is an intrinsic part of our practice and has been for the last decade and a half, we believe strongly that we can truly help our patients, no matter how lost they feel, to navigate their way back to survival.
