Navigating the cancer journey: A review of patient navigator programs for Indigenous cancer patients

Abstract

Patient navigator programs have evolved to facilitate access to care and improve outcomes for Indigenous cancer patients. We reviewed the scientific literature on patient navigator programs in Indigenous people with cancer. We conducted a review of the published literature up to 13 April 2011. PubMed, MEDLINE and CINAHL databases were searched for original articles on Indigenous patient navigation programs. The review produced eight relevant articles covering two specific programs, the Native Sisters Program and the Walking Forward Program. Program descriptions, patient navigator's roles, cultural aspects and the impact of the programs were described. Patient navigators' roles in the programs varied, as did their qualifications, but importantly, all were Indigenous. Both programs aimed to increase participation in screening, remove barriers to treatment and decrease mortality. The Native Sisters Program documented an increase in adherence to breast screening among navigated American Indian participants, although there were substantial differences in the baseline screening adherence between navigated and non-navigated participants. The Walking Forward Program yielded on average 3 fewer days of treatment delays for navigated American Indians than for non-navigated American Indians. However, adjustments for socioeconomic characteristics and disease characteristics were not described. Although preliminary outcomes are seemingly positive, further rigorous evaluation of quantitative impacts are needed.

Variations in outcomes for Indigenous women with breast cancer in Australia: A systematic review

“…Potential reasons for these delays likely include factors relating to timely access to appropriate health care and patientrelated factors such as fear and cultural beliefs, as well as interactions between them (Javid et al, 2014;Kolahdooz et al, 2014;Roder et al, 2012;Whop et al, 2012). Potential reasons for these delays likely include factors relating to timely access to appropriate health care and patientrelated factors such as fear and cultural beliefs, as well as interactions between them (Javid et al, 2014;Kolahdooz et al, 2014;Roder et al, 2012;Whop et al, 2012).…”

“…Additional approaches include cancer education programmes which support the role of Indigenous Health Workers(Le et al, 2013;Murphy et al, 2015;Smith, 2012;Whop et al, 2012;Zorbas & Elston, 2016), a key source of cancer information, health promotion and support for Indigenous patients undergoing cancer treatment(Bernardes et al, 2012).While the review found consistent evidence for variations in breast cancer survival, studies reporting other outcomes were limited. Additional approaches include cancer education programmes which support the role of Indigenous Health Workers(Le et al, 2013;Murphy et al, 2015;Smith, 2012;Whop et al, 2012;Zorbas & Elston, 2016), a key source of cancer information, health promotion and support for Indigenous patients undergoing cancer treatment(Bernardes et al, 2012).While the review found consistent evidence for variations in breast cancer survival, studies reporting other outcomes were limited.…”

Ethnic differences in timely adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy for breast cancer in New Zealand: a cohort study

“…will still be more likely to be subjected to longer delays. Improved patient navigation through cancer care coordinators (CCC) has been shown to help reduce delays, especially for women who are at-risk for longer delays which include women of minority ethnicity and low socioeconomic groups [38]. The Waikato District Health Board has two full-time CCC’s providing support for women with breast cancer since 2009.…”

Peer support opportunities across the cancer care continuum: a systematic scoping review of recent peer-reviewed literature

“…Across the cancer care continuum, PS has emerged as an important strategy to address many barriers to cancer prevention [28], early detection [29,30], treatment [22,31], and survivorship [31,22]. Peer supporters often work with patients and/or health care providers to address system-level barriers, such as fragmented care, financial constraints, other practical challenges (e.g., transportation, employment concerns, child care), and communication difficulties [32,25].…”