SHARE is dedicated to supporting people facing breast and gynecologic cancers. Over fifty years, our programs have expanded to meet the growing needs of the patients, survivors, and caregivers we serve. Recognizing the need for one-on-one support, we developed our Patient Navigation Impact program, which connects trained professionals with people navigating the challenges of cancer care.
These challenges include:
- Financial burdens due to the high cost of cancer treatment, such as medical bills, insurance premiums and co-pays, out-of-pocket costs, and associated costs like travel. Patients who are unable to work during treatment may feel anxiety over lost wages.
- Practical and logistical challenges that come with balancing the tasks of cancer care – like oncology appointments, pharmacy visits, and insurance paperwork – with the tasks of everyday life – like chores, meal planning, and childcare.
- Systemic inequalities in healthcare that impact people from marginalized communities, such as Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities. Systemic barriers can start before a person even enters a doctor’s office, and may contribute to a person delaying care or not adhering to a treatment plan.
- Emotional and mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, and grief. These feelings are common after a cancer diagnosis, and can continue even after treatment ends.
Sandra Morales, one of SHARE’s patient navigators, understands how overwhelming a cancer diagnosis can be. “Sometimes the only thing a person hears at the time of diagnosis is the word ‘cancer,’” she says. “That’s when we spring into action. We help them figure out how to move forward.”
Sandra provides one-on-one support for many people – like Damaris, who was referred to SHARE by her oncologist after being diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast cancer. A single mother of a daughter with a disability, Damaris was used to being the caregiver. Now that she needed care, she was overwhelmed.
Using evidence-based assessments, Sandra worked with Damaris to identify her specific concerns. She then connected her to the support she needed, including services that offer help with transportation and meals, and financial navigation services to help offset the cost of care. “Sandra helped ease my anxiety and financial worries,” she says.
Damaris was also struggling emotionally. Her brother had died two months before her diagnosis, and going through cancer without his support compounded her grief. Sandra gave her a safe space to express her sadness and her own fears about dying. “Sandra is my hero,” says Damaris. “She is supportive, empathetic, compassionate, and organized. She didn’t treat me like a patient. I felt like I was family to her.”
Our Patient Navigation Impact program supports people throughout their continuum of care, from diagnosis through treatment and into survivorship. Today, Damaris is a breast cancer survivor and an active member of our community – showing others like her that with support from SHARE, no one has to face breast or gynecologic cancer alone.
If you or a loved one could benefit from one-on-one support, please call our National Support Line at 844.ASK.SHARE (844.275.7427) to get connected to a Patient Navigator.