What is a Breast Cancer Patient Navigator?

Dr. Harold P. Freeman established the United States’ first patient navigation program in 1990 at Harlem Hospital Center to advance access to cancer screenings and address delays and barriers that people often encounter. The pilot program compared five-year survival rates of breast cancer patients who were navigated and those who were not and found a marked improvement in the navigated patients. Patient navigators help prepare for and resolve the barriers that can prevent timely care, such as speaking another language and lack of insurance and transportation. Navigators can assist patients by helping answer questions, providing emotional support, making sure appointments are kept and helping patients find financial resources and fill out paperwork. The navigator oversees the course of care and works closely with physicians to ensure patient compliance.

Breast Cancer Patient Navigator at Kitty DeGree Breast Health Center

Angela Jarratt, RN, CBPN-IC

I am a RN with over 10 years experience in nursing and an extensive background in case management. I received my certification as a Breast Cancer Patient Navigator in Breast Imaging and Cancer Care through the National Consortium of Breast Centers. With a passion in caring for people, I take pride in meeting the comprehensive needs of our patients and fulfilling my role of Breast Cancer Patient Navigator. I am a lifetime resident in our community graduating from Northeast Louisiana University in 1999. As a mother and wife, family is important to me. Implementing this area’s first Breast Cancer Navigation Program is an honor and I look forward to serving the needs of any one who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer in the Region 8 area (see map below).

As the breast cancer patient navigator, I will serve as a healthcare personal assistant to help you as the patient through this difficult time. For example, if a patient doesn’t show up for an appointment, stops treatment or becomes unreachable after two weeks, I will make every effort to find out why the patient hasn’t kept appointments. I will work with the patient to get her or him back on track. When the cancer is in remission, I will continue to monitor the patient’s health and quickly assist setting up physician appointments and further treatment, if needed.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, or know someone who has, feel free to contact me. There are no economic or social qualifications. I am available to help anyone  who is unfamiliar with local resources or who is uninsured/underserved and hesitant to seek costly treatments or medications. I can connect you with resources and help you stay on track with your treatment plan and follow-up care. I will be the go-to person for you and will be your guiding hand through your breast cancer journey, and that is exactly what we want more than anything – to take care of you in the most compassionate, professional way possible. Additionally, please feel free to contact me for any of your breast health education needs.

Breast Cancer Patient Navigator Program aims to:

Dismantle barriers faced by all patients with breast cancer

• Increase patients’ access to a continuum of care
• Improve lines of communication and network with physicians’ offices

Improve patients’ quality of life

• Offer patients emotional support and encouragement
• Help patients understand their diagnosis, type of cancer and treatment plan
• Connect patients with support resources and counseling options

 Improve compliance rates among patients diagnosed with breast cancer

• Follow up with patients to make sure they are adhering to their treatment plan
• Help patients find funding for their drugs/supplies and treatments
• Assist patients with scheduling appointments and follow up to make sure all appointments are kept or rescheduled.

My focus is to provide services to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in the Region 8 area (see map below) with supportive services and education regarding treatment options. Also, my focus will be offering breast health education through outreach and community efforts.

You may contact me via:

Phone - 318.388.8126

Fax - 318.388.8129

Toll Free - 866.290.7072

Email - angela.jarratt@stfran.com

Mailing address - 3421 Medical Drive Drive, Monroe, LA 71203

 

Map of Region 8