Breast Cancer Navigation

After receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer, you will have many decisions to make. The resulting stress can consume precious energy that you need for treatment and recovery. That’s why your cancer care team at Beaufort Memorial includes a specially trained nurse navigator and social work navigator. Navigators are your personal guides, providing one-on-one support and working closely with your doctors throughout the journey—so you can focus on getting well.

Your NURSE navigator is an experienced oncology nurse and will:

• Assist with information you need to make decisions. Your nurse navigator will consult with your care providers to get the most complete information and answer any questions you have regarding your diagnosis and treatment plan.

• Schedule appointments and procedures. Your nurse navigator will help coordinate all aspects of your care to fit your schedule, and may even attend appointments with you for extra comfort and support.

• Educate you and your family about your diagnosis and treatment options. You may feel overwhelmed with the amount of information you are given. Your nurse navigator will help you understand your options, let you know what to expect during each appointment and help you keep track of questions to ask your care providers.

• Coordinate support services, such as nutrition counseling or physical therapy. Your nurse navigator will help set up appointments and connect you with the appropriate support services.

• Inform you of cancer research trials that may be available. Your nurse navigator will connect you with our clinical trial nurse if you are interested in participating in clinical trials for which you qualify.

• Create a survivorship care plan. When you finish treatment, your nurse navigator will create a personal plan focused on your long-term wellness.

Your SOCIAL WORK navigator is an experienced oncology social worker and will:

• Provide counseling sessions. Your social work navigator is available to address anxiety, fears, sadness, anger, family dynamics, marital issues and other emotional concerns related to treatment.

• Facilitate support groups. Your social work navigator leads these monthly groups, allowing you to share thoughts and feelings with others affected by cancer.

• Assist with connection to transportation resources. Your social work navigator can help connect you to transportation resources to and from appointments.

• Organize and explain paperwork. Your social work navigator can coordinate with your medical team to complete medical leave paperwork and provide information on the disability application process. 

• Connect to financial resources and community services. Your social work navigator can connect you to financial resources to ease the monetary strain of treatment. Financial assistance may help defray the costs of medical care, prescriptions, utilities, housing and food.