Cancer Navigators

Henry Ford cancer navigation: A unique program

Our cancer navigators are registered nurses and compassionate cancer experts who will provide an exceptional experience for you and your family. Within cancer treatment, the three pillars of care—surgical oncology, radiation therapy and medical oncology—require a significant level of clinical coordination to ensure that each person gets the right treatment at the right time. With the introduction of other advanced diagnostic technologies and therapies, such as biomarker testing and immunotherapy, this has added another layer of complexity to modern cancer treatment.

Our cancer navigators manage your care plan in several ways, including:

• Serving as your advocate: A cancer diagnosis can be challenging for many patients and families. Your cancer navigator answers your questions and helps you understand what is happening. Deep bonds are built that help minimize stress so you and your family can focus on treatment.
• Educating you throughout the process: Your cancer navigator will provide information on available care options, explain what to expect during future encounters and answer questions you have about your care plan. They’ll help you understand the standard of care for your type and stage of cancer, as well as any treatments that may be available through clinical trials.
• Coordinating with your specialists: Your cancer navigator will track your progress throughout your care plan, and help coordinate appointments and referrals for medical services. Cancer treatment is complex. Your cancer navigator is an expert in both cancer and what it takes to coordinate your appointments and referrals with other departments throughout the health system.
• Attending Tumor Board: Your cancer navigator also attends regular Tumor Board meetings to discuss your care plan and next treatment steps with Henry Ford’s multidisciplinary team of specialists—ensuring a seamless experience as you go from one stage of treatment to the next.
• Referring you to supportive resources: Throughout treatment, cancer navigators also refer their patients to supportive oncology resources, as necessary. This may include our cancer pain clinic, our novel exercise and therapy program, specialists that can help you cope with the emotional effects of cancer, financial counseling and more.

The Henry Ford Cancer clinical navigation program includes over 50 cancer navigators and patient access coordinators, and each navigator is specialized to focus on a specific disease or treatment type.