Cancer Resources

Native American Cancer Research Corporation

Gilda's Club Minnesota August 15, 2019

Patient Navigators provide continuity in the midst of care fragmentation that can exist across multiple facilities.

Visit the Native American Cancer Research Website

Cancer care is fragmented, requiring cancer patients to receive services from multiple facilities as well as within diverse departments and centers of the cancer center. Patient Navigators provide continuity in the midst of such fragmentation. A Native Patient Navigator (NPN) is a trusted member of the local American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) community who is trained to work directly with individuals to facilitate timely access to healthcare by eliminating or navigating barriers that may impede care. NPNs begin by providing outreach and education but continue providing support throughout the cancer continuum (outreach through end-of-life). Their work usually begins working with an individual in the community but continues as they cross the threshold of the clinic to work with the patient and other members of the healthcare team in the clinical setting. Although NPNs provide support and help throughout the cancer continuum, they do NOT provide medical advice.