Jimmie Johnson remembers how devastated she was six years ago when she heard the words, "You have breast cancer." If facing the diagnosis wasn’t difficult enough, she found herself confused by conflicting treatment advice.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center has received a $56,518 grant from the Nebraska Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® that will help women like her get appropriate early detection, treatment and follow-up breast cancer services.
The Community Breast Health Navigator and Cancer Support Program is designed to provide support for women being evaluated for, or undergoing diagnosis and treatment for, breast cancer. Women trained as volunteer navigators can accompany women to appointments at any hospital or clinic in Douglas County.
To date, UNMC has trained 11 women from the Omaha community who represent a variety of diverse ethnic groups. Plans are to serve up to 60 patients in the next year.
"This program is unique in the nation. It’s one-of-a-kind in that we are training navigators to recognize the best approaches to treating breast cancer," said Edibaldo Silva, M.D., Ph.D., UNMC surgical oncologist and director of the navigator program. "Navigators also can ask questions patients aren’t comfortable asking. It’s like bringing a family or friend along to an appointment except the advocate is trained."
Despite notable progress in the treatment of breast cancer, Dr. Silva said more needs to be done to ensure that everyone receives the highest quality of care.
"Early and better access to quality care is critical to successful treatment," Dr. Silva said. "After a woman hears a physician say she has breast cancer, she often says she didn’t hear a word afterwards. Navigators can help the patient review a physician’s recommendations and make good decisions.
"If the patient receives information or recommendations that are not in line with the guidelines, the patient can ask the physician more questions or seek another opinion. Most patients don’t know what their options are and so they accept all information and follow the advice they receive," Dr. Silva said.
After coming to grips with her diagnosis, Johnson was given the name of Jackie Hill, a UNMC nurse practitioner and breast cancer survivor. Hill helped Johnson navigate the health system and get the right treatment. Now Johnson wants to help others as a community breast health navigator.
"Anytime I would call Jackie, she was there to answer my questions and help me," Johnson said. "The kindness, compassion and support really makes a difference in what was a difficult situation. I’m proud to be able to service as a navigator."
Co-directors of the grant, Phyllis Nsiah-Kumi, M.D., and Hill, said the grant also helps improve the health literacy of patients — the ability to understand health-related information and make informed decisions.
"Health literacy is important to help patients clearly understand the information they are given by their breast cancer providers," said Dr. Nsiah-Kumi, UNMC internal medicine physician who conducts health literacy research. "One of our goals in developing this program is to improve the health literacy of the patients we serve. It is our hope that this innovative program will serve as a model for programs nationally."
The navigators completed a rigorous training course that included a written and practical exam. The course focused on breast cancer care guidelines supported by the latest medical research and recommended by national experts, as well as effective communication with patients and health providers.
For more information, go to www.nebraskabreasthealthnavigator.org or call 402-559-8883 or e-mail info@nebraskabreasthealthnavigator.org.
One-minute videos about the program are available on You Tube at the below links.
Dr. Silva talks about the program and why it’s important: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLPpTMMdatI&hd=1
Dr. Nsiah-Kumi talks about the program in relation to improving patients’ health literacy: http://youtu.be/URzJkJJTNVE
Hill talks about the program’s benefit to women: http://youtu.be/aQwmiEva6u8
Johnson talks about why she wanted to be a breast cancer navigator: http://youtu.be/02q3D1iytmM
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, and the Nebraska Affiliate is one of 125 Affiliates on the front lines dedicated to ending breast cancer in their communities. Komen Affiliates fund innovative programs that help women and men overcome the cultural, social, educational and financial barriers to breast cancer screening and treatment. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by the Affiliate stays in the state of Nebraska. The remaining 25 percent funds national breast cancer research. For more information, call 402-502-2979 or visit www.komennebraska.org.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.