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The American Cancer Society reports that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women and that more people die each year from lung cancer than from cancer of the colon, breast, and prostate combined.

Elizabeth Whitley, PhD, RN, who presented “Leading and Administering a Patient Navigation Program” with Bonnie Miller, RN, BSN, OCN, FAAMA, reminded participants that patient navigators are not necessarily nurses but can include other health personnel.

We recognize that a diagnosis of cancer can be a life-changing event, with the journey from diagnosis to survivorship, and perhaps to end-of-life care, filled with fear, challenges, and uncertainties.

Patient navigation emerged 2 decades ago, with numerous articles reporting cancer care outcomes from the patient perspective, but its effect on improving organizational outcomes requires further research.

As healthcare professionals who work with people living with cancer, we often see patients when they are most vulnerable.

The American Cancer Society estimates that over 1.6 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2012.

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is a private, not-for-profit academic medical center and the primary teaching affiliate for Boston University School of Medicine.

Patient navigation (PN) in cancer care refers to the individualized care provided to the breast cancer patients, families, and caregivers to ease multiple barriers and facilitate timely access to qualified medical and psychosocial care.

As the growing scope and importance of patient navigation evolves, core principles remain at the heart of each program. Dr Harold Freeman has identified and practiced these principles over the last 20 years.

Patient navigation in cancer care refers to the individualized care provided to breast cancer patients, families, and caregivers to ease multiple barriers and facilitate timely access to qualified medical and psychosocial care.