The Breast Navigator Program

Guiding Women with Breast Cancer

A diagnosis of breast cancer calls for sudden decision making. Learning an overwhelming amount of new information, new concepts and unfamiliar medical language. Few people can think clearly they when experience strong emotions such as anxiety, fear, sorrow, or anger. Yet the time to make important decisions is usually right after diagnosis, when these emotions may be most difficult to handle.

Personal Guides

The Alta Bates Summit Breast Navigator Program offers personal guides to newly diagnosed women, providing education, support and coordination. When a woman discovers she has breast cancer, she is quickly referred to a Patient Navigator. The Navigator helps the new patient learn as much as possible about the disease, understand medical terminology, and to concentrate on wellness strategies.

Culturally Supportive Care

The program also advocates for culturally appropriate and supportive care for women with breast cancer and their families. Our current program includes Navigators who speak and read Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish and Korean. With our multicultural Breast Navigator team, we reach out and locate medical and emotional support resources to help women understand their treatment plans.