Receiving a cancer diagnosis is the start of a care journey for each patient. Karmanos Cancer Institute provides many resources for patients, their families and caregivers, as they embark on their treatment path. Karmanos' Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement (OCHECE) recently partnered with the Macomb County Cancer Action Council (CAC) to provide insight into how cancer navigation can significantly impact a patient’s overall health outcomes during the “Navigating Your Cancer Journey” webinar. Kelli Kaschimer and RJ Lonczkowski, two members of the Macomb County CAC, facilitated the online session.
During the webinar, community members and stakeholders learned about the role of a cancer navigator and their significance in guiding patients through their cancer journey. As defined by the American Cancer Society, cancer navigators aim to address barriers preventing individuals from accessing quality cancer care. The webinar specifically delved into two types of cancer navigators: nurse navigators and patient navigators, each with distinct responsibilities. Nurse navigators primarily focus on managing the clinical aspects of a patient's medical journey, including symptom management and medication guidance.
Kimberly Dean, an oncology nurse navigator from Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Macomb, joined the webinar to provide first-hand information in this care area. With over 20 years of experience in the oncology field, Dean shared insights into cancer statistics in Michigan. Using the analogy of a patient's "air traffic controller," Dean explained her role as an oncology nurse navigator, which involves coordinating preventive cancer screenings and cancer-related testing such as tumor genomics. Nurse navigators also conduct distress screenings to identify social determinants impacting patients.
On the other hand, patient navigators assist in overcoming social determinants or obstacles hindering patients' access to care. Webinar participants learned of the specific areas where patient navigators provide assistance, like helping with the financial challenges of cancer patients and addressing concerns regarding insurance navigation.
Various types of cancer navigators are available at institutions across Michigan, including Karmanos and its locations throughout the Karmanos Cancer Network. For more information about patient and nurse navigation at Karmanos and McLaren Health Care locations, click here.
Click here to watch the webinar.
This article was written by Brandon Crittenden, MPH candidate at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.