Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be an extremely stressful, scary, and overwhelming time for anyone. The cancer centers at WellSpan Health recognize that medical treatment is just one of many aspects of care patients facing breast cancer will need throughout their treatment journey. To make this difficult time a little easier, each breast cancer patient at WellSpan Health is paired with a breast cancer navigator to support them along every step of the process, from the first oncology appointment, to surgery, recovery and beyond.
Since WellSpan Health is a regional health system including several large hospitals in the South-Central Pennsylvania area, breast cancer navigators are assigned to cancer centers throughout the region. Some navigators are registered nurses, while others have a background in radiation or oncology. Although they may have different backgrounds, all breast cancer navigators share the same passion for supporting women through their breast cancer treatment by helping to make the process as smooth and seamless as possible.
Compassionate, Reliable Care
Breast cancer navigators at WellSpan Health begin supporting patients on the very day they receive a breast cancer diagnosis. Tracey Weidner, a breast cancer navigator who began her career as a radiologic technician and now serves patients in the Lebanon and Ephrata areas, explained how the process begins.
“After I receive patient information from an imaging navigator, I contact patients on the first day of their diagnosis to introduce myself and my role and get them scheduled to see the oncologist within the next couple of days,” Weidner said. “The goal is that the patient doesn’t need to wonder what will happen next because we’re already getting them started on the next step. We aim to provide efficient, seamless care for patients, so they don’t have to struggle or worry, we’re already answering those questions for them.”
After breast cancer navigators schedule a patient’s first appointment with the oncologists, they let the patient know what to expect at the appointment and answer any initial questions. The navigator will then accompany the patient to the visit and take detailed notes, which allows the patient to focus on listening to the physician and processing the information. Weidner emphasized how stressful this initial step in the process can be.
“Patients are given so much information, especially at that initial visit, and it can be very overwhelming,” she said. “It helps to know they have someone to call for clarifications and someone they feel comfortable bringing their questions to. After we’ve spent some time together, patients feel more comfortable calling me, even if they think it’s a small or silly question, because we’ve built that relationship. Patients can call their breast cancer navigator on their direct line anytime they have questions, concerns or just need support.”
Beyond the initial appointment, breast cancer navigators help ensure patients receive coordinated care by coordinating any necessary referrals and additional appointments, assisting patients throughout treatments and surgery, and following up with patients during recovery or even extended treatments in metastatic cancer situations. Melanie Thorne, a breast cancer nurse navigator at the York Cancer Center with 25 years of oncology nursing experience emphasized the importance of advocating for patients throughout the entire journey.
“We help them make sure all their appointments are lining up, ensure things are happening at the right pace and in the correct order, and help make sure they don’t fall through the cracks,” Thorne said. “As nurse navigators and care coordinators, we help them set up second opinions if they want them and essentially serve as their support person, their advocate, helping them through any difficulties they may have during their cancer treatment.”
Connecting Patients with Helpful Resources
Breast cancer navigators at WellSpan Health also use many resources to support the social and emotional well-being of patients. Weidner explained that she assesses each patient’s unique needs to determine which resources would suit them best.
“We can connect patients with programs where they can request to speak with a survivor,” she said. “I see this oftentimes with younger patients who may be feeling alone in their struggle, wondering what comes next and thinking, ‘I can’t believe this is happening to me.’ Sometimes, speaking to someone who’s been through it and came out great on the other end is really valuable and nothing else can replace that. We’ll also help arrange rides to appointments for patients who have transportation barriers, for example. Part of our job as a navigator is identifying what type of resources would help each specific patient and then getting them connected with those resources so they receive the help they need during the process.”
Breast cancer patients often aren’t aware of the many resources available to them, and seeking out other avenues for support can add extra stress to an already overwhelming situation. Breast cancer navigators can connect patients with multi- faceted resources, from social worker- or navigator-led support groups, to registered dieticians and even financial counselors. Thorne said breast cancer navigators aim to help relieve the stress cancer can cause in so many areas of their lives.
“So much of our patients’ stress comes from fear of the unknown,” she said. “They often wonder how to talk to their family and their children about their diagnosis. They’re concerned with how they’re going to continue working through their treatment and if they can’t continue working, they worry about how to financially support themselves and their families. Sometimes they’re unsure about what is normal to feel and what isn’t normal. We’re there to help them get appropriate counseling or support group help if they need it. We also let them know about the many available resources here like our Wellness Center where they can get fittings for bras and mastectomy forms, get massages and acupuncture, try yoga, learn ways to be and stay healthy and so much more.”
Making a Difference with Lasting Relationships
Although there are many different types of breast cancer and each patient’s journey follows a unique path, compassionate support from breast cancer navigators remains consistent for every breast cancer patient at WellSpan Health. By connecting with patients on the very day of their initial diagnosis, walking along their treatment and surgery journeys with them, and seeing them through their many worries and concerns, breast cancer navigators often develop long-lasting relationships with patients that continue well into their follow-ups with oncologists.
“It’s often a long-term relationship with patients, which is great,” Weidner said. “Breast cancer patients will follow up with the surgeon typically for at least five years, if not longer, so I get to see them periodically and get to know them, their families, and their lives. It really is a unique and great relationship that we can build that goes on longer than just a visit or two.”
For Thorne, working with breast cancer patients specifically is fulfilling because she can help patients who may not be used to seeking out help and support. “Breast cancer is so common among women,” she said. “A lot of times, women are used to helping others, and not receiving help for themselves. We allow them to sit back and just be the patient. We can kind of anticipate their needs before they even know what those are, and we can jump in and help them, even if it’s someone who doesn’t like asking for help.”
As for so many who work in the medical field, the primary motivation for breast cancer navigators at WellSpan Health is the opportunity to help patients and make a difference for those who need treatment and care. From the first interaction to the last, they are striving to help make a difficult journey even just a little bit easier through comprehensive support and coordination of every detail.
“I love what I do because I can help patients and make a really difficult time for them even just a little bit easier,” said Weidner. “It’s not going to change their diagnosis and it’s not going to completely take away their struggle, but if I can make each step just a little bit smoother to get them through the process, that brings me joy.”