MISSION

Guide and support breast cancer patients through the complex health care system and assist them in making informed healthcare decisions by providing objective and credible educational resources regarding treatment choices.

GOAL

Improve timely access to care for breast cancer patients and promote patient/provider relationships based on trust and informed decision-making.

VISION

Provide a supportive community service for breast cancer patients and their families through the provision of credible information, navigation and access to needed resources for the best clinical and psychological outcomes.

"Every time my heart would start to race, or my mind would start down the path of fear and anxiety, I would be handed just the right thing to read or be engaged in a calming conversation that served to enlighten me. I am 100% convinced that the path I was guided down by a nurse breast specialist was the very best path I could have taken, and I haven't looked back. Peace of mind sounds a bit extraordinary after a breast cancer diagnosis, but it is what I carry with me every day."


"I will forever be grateful for the help that was there for me though a program that provided education on the disease and guidance in navigating the complex channels of treatment. Having the guidance of a nurse specialist who thoroughly knew the system of breast care treatment combined with genuine concern was invaluable. I would strongly urge anyone going through breast cancer to take advantage of the support which can be offered through the Andre Center."

RATIONALE

Patient navigation services are an essential component of the communication and coordination that is needed to achieve optimal outcomes in our complex health care system. The following is an overview of how we can reduce or eliminate the barriers to care that patients and their families can face:

  • Decrease fear and anxiety that impair our ability to understand unfamiliar information
  • Identify what questions to ask, and who questions should be directed to
  • Assist with organizing and understanding the vast amount of information and choices that pertain to a breast cancer diagnosis
  • Assist the treatment team and patient in coordinating and prioritizing the multitude of physicians and tests that are generally a part of treatment decisions
  • Assist patients with access to educational and other needed resources

What happens within the first few days and weeks of diagnosis is critical in setting the stage for emotional well-being during treatment and integrating back into the home and work environment when treatment ends. As most women diagnosed with breast cancer will survive the disease, it becomes very important that we are ever mindful of the fear and anxiety that can be present far beyond the treatment phase and that we engage in establishing a system that supports both clinical and psychological health. We believe that in providing the best service possible to patients, we will also be supporting an efficient cost effective healthcare model.



The Andre Center's services will be available to any woman or man diagnosed with breast cancer
regardless of where they were diagnosed or will be treated.