Pointing the way for patients
J. Dirk Iglehart, MD
At Dana-Farber we're very aware that, for some patients, a cancer diagnosis is made all the more burdensome by their unfamiliarity with the healthcare system, a lack of insurance or reliable transportation, or language barriers. Now, the Women's Cancers Program (WCP) can make the journey easier: A new patient navigator service provides culturally competent specialists to help women through the rough spots. In this issue of Turning Point, you'll meet Patient Navigator Rina Bernardez, who accompanied breast cancer patient Cristina Moya to her appointments, explained the workings of the healthcare system in Spanish, and gave emotional support as well.
The WPC also provides comfort through support groups and opportunities for survivors and those around them, as you will hear from women who have attended conferences such as "Looking Back, Facing Forward: 2006 A Day for Patients and Families." In other articles, you will read about innovations in care such as chemotherapy delivered directly to the site of ovarian cancer through an abdominal tube, and a research program aimed at answering some of the questions surrounding the new vaccine against the widespread human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.
Beyond these current achievements, the WCP takes pride in providing a rich learning environment for those who will be tomorrow's leaders in research and treatment of women's cancers. Our story, "The apprentices," describes the education of students, postdocs, and fellows, not only in the skills they will need to be successful, but also to carry forward the spirit and values of Dana-Farber into the next phases of their careers. We hope that this issue of Turning Point enlarges and deepens your view of the mission that guides our work in the Women's Cancers Program.
J. Dirk Iglehart, MD
Director, Women's Cancers Program
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Chief, Surgical Oncology
Brigham and Women's Hospital
