What is Practical Assistance?
WCRC exists to support you in tangible and concrete ways throughout this journey. So that you can remain focused on your health, your treatment plan, your family, and the aspects of your life that bring you joy and nourishment, we strive to ease the logistical burdens and financial stressors of a cancer diagnosis. We know that some of the hardest parts of navigating cancer treatment are financial burdens and navigating a new and complex healthcare landscape. Read on to find out how we can support you with these aspects of your care.
Multicultural Patient Navigation
Our patient navigation program strives to reduce medical and treatment barriers via culturally-centered communication about a cancer diagnosis and treatment options; reduce loneliness through ongoing emotional support; and empower our clients to be advocates by working with their doctors and medical team.
A cancer diagnosis brings so much that is new: new medical providers, doctors’ offices, and appointment schedules, new complicated medical vocabulary, and new medications with pages of sometimes incomprehensible side effects and risks. You’re likely also to encounter a host of new emotions about this disease and how it will affect your life and your family.
At WCRC we know that all of this can be entirely overwhelming and sometimes the complexity of navigating other life issues, such as access to healthy food, housing, and other supportive services can be a barrier to getting the best and most effective care available. Our patient navigation program will reduce those barriers and empower you to take advantage of every resource available to navigate your cancer diagnosis and improve your cancer outcomes.
Our patient navigation team will build a trusting and respectful partnership with you, your family, and your healthcare team so that we can provide the following services and support:
- Collaboration with your medical social workers.
- Helping you to understand your treatment options including medications, clinical trials, and second opinions
- Navigating issues with health insurance coverage.
- Supporting you in communicating effectively with your doctor- understanding medical vocabulary, preparing relevant questions, empowering you with language to ask the questions that feel most important to you.
- Interpreter services for mono-lingual Spanish speakers those that don’t feel comfortable communicating in English.
- Assistance to obtain transportation to and from your appointments.
- Referrals and other support services such as:
- Wigs, prostheses, other medical equipment.
- Legal aid services.
- Nutritional support and education.
- Financial assistance for food, equipment, and housing.
- Emotional support in processing and adjusting to the changes a cancer diagnosis entails.
How Do I Know If I Should Reach Out to WCRC for Patient Navigation Support?
If you are:
- a woman or non-binary person
- in active treatment or entering treatment for cancer*
- live in Alameda or Contra Costa County
- able to recceive a referral from social worker
- feeling like any of the above services would make your journey easier
*Active treatment definition – surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, infusion therapy
How Can I Contact You?
Call 510.601.4040 to find out more about patient navigation at WCRC.