Breast Navigators are the glue that put all the pieces of care together.
As breast centers have become more common across the country, we are also finding that breast health navigators are as well. A person who is unfamiliar with the navigator’s role may wonder what value they add to a program and whether they are truly necessary.
My answer to that question is absolutely! I have often referred to navigators as the glue that puts all the pieces of care together. That task may sound rather simple, but the reality is that it is quite complicated because the care of breast patients so often involves multiple different physicians and caregivers. It is the role of the navigator to make sure the patient is “navigated” through their care in the most seamless and timely fashion possible.
The multiple disciplines involved in providing care to breast cancer patients include radiology, surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology and plastic surgery. There are other components sometimes less recognized but vital to good care such as genetic counseling, social services, physical therapy, emotional support services and survivorship care. As one can see, there is a lot to juggle and herein lies the value of a nurse navigator.
A compassionate and accessible resource
Frequently a navigator will become acquainted with the patient in the beginning when a patient is first noted to have a breast problem. This can be through an abnormal radiologic study of the breast or the patient could be coming to the breast surgeon because of an abnormality that the patient has identified. It is at this point that the “navigation” begins.
The nurse navigator will often spend time with the patient after they have seen the physician, explaining the best steps in the process. They may discuss further diagnostic tests necessary, biopsies, or physician referrals. Clearly, patients often feel a significant amount of emotion in association with these discussions. Being connected with a navigator – someone who is very familiar with the process and experienced in educating the patient as to what to expect – can go a long way to alleviating their fears.
How a nurse navigator helps breast cancer patients
The patient will get to know the navigator well in many cases. Often, the navigator may be sharing biopsy results with the patient. When cancer is present, this conversation can be very distressing. Our navigators have been specially trained to handle this conversation with compassion and clarity. They listen to the patient’s concerns, answer questions, and then help the patient understand the next steps in the process and the decisions they will need to make in consultation with the breast surgeon. In this difficult time, our navigators help the patient know she is not alone!
Indeed, the navigator will become their “go-to" person during the course of their treatment. Although a good physician makes every effort to be as helpful as possible, their schedule may make it impossible for them to always be available to address needs or concerns that may arise throughout the patient’s journey. There is great comfort in knowing a specially trained nurse connected to the physician is accessible, consistent and compassionate.
Also, referrals to other physicians – from oncologists to reconstructive plastic surgeons, for example – are often a part of the navigation and can be overwhelming for the patient. The navigator helps to make this process less stressful.
I am happy to say that St. Mary’s has breast radiology nurse navigators who are a wonderful resource for our patients. In addition, we are very pleased to have just added a breast health navigator on the breast surgery side to take the baton in the care of our patients once they’ve been referred to our breast center. Once again, this is an example of our commitment to breast health initiatives at St. Mary’s.
St. Mary’s breast health nurse navigators
Laura Childs, RN – Laura has been part of the care team at St. Mary’s since 2004. She is the breast health nurse navigator who practices with Dr. Jeffery. Her focus is on providing compassionate education and assistance to patients who have been referred to our breast surgeon.
Ashley Woodall, RN, BSN – Ashley is a certified breast cancer navigator who has been providing care to patients at St. Mary’s Women’s Imaging Center since 2007. She works to support and educate patients who have received a suspicious finding in a screening mammogram and require additional testing and/or biopsy.
Denise Williamson, RN, BSN – Denise is a breast cancer nurse navigator who has been providing care to patients at St. Mary’s Women’s Imaging Center since 2016. Like Ashley, she works to support and educate patients who have received a suspicious finding in a screening mammogram and require additional testing and/or biopsy.
Laura Childs, RN
Ashley Woodall, RN, BSN
Denise Williamson, RN, BSN
About Kathleen Jeffery, M.D.
Dr. Jeffery comes to St. Mary's from Greenwood, S.C., where she served as medical director of the Breast Center at Self Regional Healthcare and as a partner in Advanced Surgical Associates. Previously, she practiced with Summit Surgical in Dahlonega, Ga., and was an assistant professor of surgery with the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
Dr. Jeffery is now accepting patient appointments. A referral from a primary care physician may be required under some insurance plans. As part of St. Mary's Medical Group, AGCS accepts most major insurance plans and Medicare. Please contact your insurance provider for more information regarding your specific plan requirements for a specialist referral.