March 25, 2013
Story by James Stevenson; photo by Colin Zak
When Steven Renema left hospital following his cancer surgery, he found himself wondering what his next steps were and how he’d complete a list of tasks, such as finding a walker to help him move around.
“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed for a number of reasons, starting with the complexity of the system and the continual uncertainty of the disease,” says the Canmore resident.
“My hospital stay very clearly saved my life – they performed miracles – but going through the healing process and taking those next steps are critical, too, and you need help. The navigator helped me connect the dots and even show me some dots I didn’t know were there.”
As part of a new program to help cancer patients like Renema, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is placing specially trained nurses in each of its 15 cancer facilities outside of Edmonton and Calgary to be cancer patient navigators, ready to guide patients through their treatment, followup care and beyond.
“A cancer diagnosis can be a confusing and stressful event that gives rise to significant financial and practical problems, especially for Albertans living outside of Edmonton and Calgary,” says Linda Watson, Interdisciplinary Practice Leader in Community Oncology with AHS – Cancer Care.
“Once diagnosed, patients must negotiate their way through a complex maze of tests, appointments, treatments and services. Our navigators are here to help patients through all of this — to be there for them as they get treated for their cancer — because we know that patient care is much more than just treatments and surgeries.”
Cancer patient navigators are now in place in Fort McMurray, Peace River, Grande Prairie, Barrhead, Bonnyville, Hinton, Drayton Valley, Camrose, Red Deer, Drumheller, Canmore, High River, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. Recruitment for a navigator in Lloydminster is underway.
These patient navigators are already seeing and guiding upwards of 50 per cent of new consults received by community cancer centres.
“The response has actually been overwhelming from the people that I’ve connected with,” says Canmore navigator Isabelle Ramsay, who helped Renema and many others.
“I think I’ve really made a difference in a number of people’s lives. Issues that can seem overwhelming to patients can often have a simple solution and it’s my job to find them.”
The program, funded by the Alberta Cancer Foundation, has already delivered tangible benefits in communities where a cancer patient navigator role has been established.
“Alberta Cancer Foundation donors want to support patients and families throughout their cancer journey,” says Myka Osinchuk, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation. “We are pleased to be part of a program that eases that journey by providing extra support to Albertans during a difficult time.”
The cancer patient navigation model is mirrored after the successful navigator programs of AHS’ breast health teams. For the past seven years, specialized patient navigators have been working with breast cancer patients in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge and Red Deer.
The cancer patient navigator program is available to Albertans with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer and their families. For more information, please visit: Cancer Patient Navigation and Tumor Triage Coordination .
