Fox Chase's OHCHD to fund community-based patient navigation services

Fox Chase Cancer Center's Office of Health Communications and Health Disparities (OHCHD) recently received a grant from the National Breast Cancer Foundation to fund community-based patient navigation services. The one year grant will allow the OHCHD to expand its current navigation program for women who are screened for breast cancer on Fox Chase's mobile mammography van and receive abnormal results. The vitally needed navigators will help those women obtain follow-up services at Fox Chase (or elsewhere if desired).

Many women are unsure about next steps when they receive an abnormal result. Examples of the navigator services will include helping women obtain prescriptions for diagnostic tests and arranging for translation and/or transportation services for the follow-up care visit if needed. In addition to supporting navigation services, the grant will provide funds for the OHCHD to conduct 10 breast cancer education programs in the community (in both English and Spanish) and support mammography screening and diagnostic services for a small number of un or under-insured women.

The goal of Fox Chase's OHCHD is to provide cancer education, screening and outreach services to the community, with a special focus on reaching underserved populations. The 22 year-old mobile mammography program-the only one of its type in the region-is an important part of the OHCHD's community outreach efforts. The office is committed to providing proven programs that increase knowledge about cancer and help individuals to take the appropriate actions to protect their health.

Source: Fox Chase Cancer Center