Cancer Patient Navigation is a servicedeveloped by the Cancer Care Program of

Eastern Health and the Department ofHealth and Community Services. Its goal is

to help patients and families deal withcancer and to support and improve patientnavigation through the health care system.

W H A T I S C A N C E RP A T I E N T N A V I G A T I O N ?

When you are told that you have cancer, itcan be a frightening and confusing time.

You are given a lot of new information.You must make many decisions, learnabout cancer, think about your treatmentoptions, and arrange for such things asmedical care, transportation and childcare. You may also have more expenses todeal with as a result of your cancer.

You should not have to face thischallenge alone. A CancerPatient Navigator canhelp you with theseissues.

Have you or a member ofyour family been

diagnosed with cancer?

A Cancer PatientNavigator can help.

H O W D O I C O N T A C TT H E C A N C E R P A T I E N TN A V I G A T O R ?

Your family doctor, cancer specialist, orany other health professional can refer youto the Cancer Patient Navigator. Patientsand family can also contact the navigatordirectly:

C A L L T O L L F R E E

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O R V I S I T www.easternhealth.ca/CancerCare

C A N C E R P A T I E N TN A V I G A T I O N

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• Provides you with information that will helpyou to make decisions about yourtreatments.

• Provides you with information regardingpossible side effects of the cancertreatments.

• Offers ongoing support as you go throughthe many tests, treatments and stages of thecancer experience.

• Helps you and your family understandcancer by providing education, readingmaterials, videos, internet sites and cancerinformation.

• Gives you advice on how to talk to yourchildren about cancer.

• Links you with other community health careprofessionals, support groups andprograms, such as home care services.

• Finds help when you have language barriers.

• Provides information on places to stay whilegetting care at the cancer centres.

• Connects you to resources that may be ableto help with expenses for medications, traveland income.

• Educates you and your family aboutpreventive measures, such as good healthpractices and cancer screening programs.

How can a CancerPatient Navigator

help me?Cancer Patient Navigators are available tohelp patients, their families, health careproviders and doctors. They can answerquestions about treatment and follow-upcare. They can also help with emotional,spiritual, financial, transportation andother practical matters.

T H E C A N C E R P A T I E N T N A V I G A T O R :

W H Y C A N C E RP A T I E N T N A V I G A T I O N ?

Each cancer patient has different needs andwill deal with cancer in different ways. Youmay speak a different language, or havedifferent beliefs that will affectdecisions. You may have manyfamily responsibilities to juggle.Treatments and tests can be complexand may cause side effects. Yourability to cope with the diagnosis andtreatment will vary based on the supportsystem you have.

The Cancer Patient Navigator can help youcope with your needs and provide supportfor you and your family.

W H O A R E C A N C E RP A T I E N T N A V I G A T O R S ?

Cancer Patient Navigators are highlytrained cancer nurses. They will workclosely with your family doctor, surgeon,cancer specialist and community partnersand your family to make sure that you havethe information and knowledge to makethe best decisions about your care. Theywill help to ensure that your medical visitsare less stressful. They are available tohelp you at any point in your cancerjourney.

Your Cancer Patient Navigator does notprovide medical care. If you need theservices of a doctor please call your familydoctor or go to your local emergency room.

The Cancer Care Program ofEastern Health and the Department ofHealth and Community Services workwith health professionals in your area

to make Cancer Patient Navigationand other community cancer servicesavailable as close to home as possible.Cancer Patient Navigators will serve

patients throughout the province.Their offices will be located in:

Happy Valley- Goose Bay

St. Anthony

Corner Brook Gander

St. John’s

Clarenville