On November 2, three of our patient navigators and a coordinator travelled to Tucson, Arizona to attend the gathering called, “Cancer Prevention in Indigenous Communities: Screening to Follow up.” The conference was funded by the National Cancer Institute and put on by the University of Arizona. It included topics such as AI/AN cancer incidences and mortality, policy, hospital administration, representation from Indian Health Service, patient navigation and next steps for cancer prevention in Indian Country.
There was a lot of discussion of the need for and importance of patient navigators during cancer treatment, but also the need for them to be involved from the beginning of education and screening to treatment and to survivorship. The team made a lot of connections as well as finally meeting colleagues in person.
Patient navigators Chelsea Redeye, Marissa Haring, Nancy Washburn, and coordinator Whitney Ann Henry did a poster presentation during the conference on the Department of Indigenous Cancer Health's Indigenous & Rural Patient Navigation program.