The Saint Vincent Team
Saint Vincent Cancer Center provides patients with a dedicated team of experts that specialize in cancer care, research and treatment. The Cancer Center staff is dedicated to helping each patient through their journey with cancer from screening to diagnosis, surgery and rehabilitation. At the Saint Vincent Cancer Care Center it is the collaboration among the the general surgeons, family practitioners, The Regional Cancer Center, and the patient that leads to the best possible outcomes.
Saint Vincent is also able to offer patients Breast Health Navigation, a program for patients dealing with breast cancer.
Navigation is a system in which a registered nurse navigator works closely with you to help eliminate or reduce barriers to cancer care and “navigate” you through the health care system by:
- Answering questions and addressing concerns
- Helping you fill out insurance forms
- Helping you find ways to pay for health care if you don’t have insurance
- Directing you to health care services for further diagnosis or treatment
- Directing you to local resources and support
- Helping you keep track of appointments
- Helping you with transportation issues
- Helping you find more information on health care
Navigation Improves Outcomes for Breast Cancer According to Oncology Issues magazine, a national study recently showed that navigated patients were 29 percent more likely to follow up on a questionable mammogram with a breast biopsy and that those with a navigator had biopsies completed 33 percent faster. Nurse navigation also had a positive impact on five-year survival rates because of the increase in earlier detection.
If you receive breast cancer services at Saint Vincent, you will be contacted by the breast health navigator, Linda Brennan. If you have questions, you can call 814-452-7765.
The Surgical Oncology Nurse Navigation Program is funded through a grant from the Cancer Treatment and Research Fund of the Saint Vincent Foundation. Those who are interested in contributing this fund may do so by contacting the foundation at 814-452-5073. The Breast Health Navigation Program is funded through a grant from the Pittsburgh affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Saint Vincent Cancer Center also works with the Regional Cancer Center providing a range of experts in cancer care from screenings and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation. Saint Vincent Cancer Center is proud of their relationship with the Regional Cancer Center and of the expertise that together they bring to the region and the community.