Q. Why is a patient navigator helpful to a cancer patient?
A. A cancer patient encounters a lot of unfamiliar obstacles as they proceed along the path from diagnosis, to treatment to survivorship; they include insurance coverage, treatment options and their side effects, getting a second opinion, and clinical trials. We help the patient better understand and navigate these issues.
Q. What was your training to become a patient navigator?
A. First, you need “local knowledge” about the East End of Long Island -- who are the doctors, nurses and community service organizations. I grew up here, in Montauk, so that part comes naturally. Fortunately, I also had months of unique training at the National Cancer Institute or “NCI” to become a “cancer information specialist.”
Q. What did you learn from being trained at the NCI and staffing its national phone bank?
A. As you can imagine, I needed to be prepared for hundreds of calls a week from cancer patients. I learned the biology basics of all types of cancer, the standard treatment options for each (and their side effects) and something about new cutting edge therapies. I also learned about clinical trials and how to help patients develop a coping strategies forthemselves. All of that has been useful training for my role at Fighting Chance.
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