For women diagnosed with breast cancer, learning how to fight the disease can be an emotional, frightening experience with more questions than answers.
At the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at Martin Health, the Breast Health Navigator program assists women who have been recently diagnosed, are already living with breast cancer or have had a recurrence of the disease. The program helps women cope with the anxiety of being diagnosed with cancer, provides information and resources, decreases barriers to services and seeks to expedite access to care.
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Mary Smith is the program’s newest breast health navigator, joining Carolyn Shore, a long-time navigator. Both nurses work closely with Marisa Baskin, clinical oncology social worker. Baskin provides psychosocial support to patients; Smith and Shore offer clinical support.A career oncology nurse, Smith previously worked as a clinical coordinator on the oncology floor at Martin Medical Center.
“I’ve always loved working with oncology patients,” Smith said. “As a navigator, I feel like I am really making a difference—alleviating our patients’ concerns, connecting them with resources, and making sure they understand their options and their prescribed course of treatment, tests and therapies.”
As a breast health navigator, Smith enjoys being able to build long-term relationships with her patients, something she wasn’t afforded as a floor nurse in the hospital.
“When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, their world is turned upside down and they don’t know who to turn to,” she said. “It’s such a relief when they discover that someone is there who is knowledgeable and supportive, and can advocate for them.”
With the breast health navigator team, breast cancer patients never have to go it alone. The navigators not only guide patients through the health care system, but assist them in speaking—and understanding their physician’s instructions, and streamlining medical appointments.
“Our goal is to help our patients feel more in control of their care,” Smith said.