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\f0\fs24 \cf0 >>> MIA CURTISS: \f1 \expnd0\expndtw0\kerning0
\expnd0\expndtw0\kerning0 Dr. Harness, I have a question for you. I
am from the Midwest so I am completely across the country from you. This has nothing to
do with the hospital you work at. This is a general question from a breast cancer patient.
\ \pard\tx2367\pardeftab720\pardirnatural\qj
\cf0 \ I want to know why there is not an advocate,
a big sister \'96 someone affiliated with these hospitals that has walked the cancer
journey, so we can speak with them. I thought very alone and I think that feeling of alone
is unnecessary. \ \
Dr. JAY HARNESS: Many patients don\'92t realize that at Cancer Centers we are very tuned into
your need for support to, as an example, find a big sister who could help you through with
the process. \ \
Now there are variety of ways of how to organize this and fulfilling this need. At the Cancer
Center that I work at, we have patient navigators. These are typically nurses who are assigned
to work with patients with different kinds of cancers. These nurses then facilitate support
groups which meet pretty frequently, bringing the in-patients who are in different phases
of their treatment, and particularly bringing in the newly diagnosed patient to interact
with these patients. \ \
I think all patients naturally want to meet somebody who is potentially went through what
they are about to go through. Patients are riddled with anxiety and fear and \'91Oh my
gosh! Chemotherapy and radiation therapy\'92, and \'91Am I going to get through this? What
are the side effects like?\'92 \ \
So having the comfort of working with, as an example, a big sister who has been down
that pathway is extremely reassuring. So, no matter where you are in the United States,
please reach out and ask for this kind of support. If it\'92s not available at the hospital
or cancer center that you are going to, it may well be available through a group like
the American Cancer Society, maybe available through groups like Common Foundation or Why
Me. \ \
The bottom line is there are compassionate people out there who have been in the pathway
that you are about to be on, who want to assist you with that, want to comfort you and be
there for you. So please reach out and ask. Big sisters and support groups are certainly
available. Please ask for it.\expnd0\expndtw0\kerning0 \
Susan Denver: I am a breast cancer survivor. \
\ Katherine Stockton: I am a breast cancer survivor.
\ \
Coree: I am a breast cancer survivor. \ \
Susan Denver: And I want every woman to know\'85 \
\ Katherine Stockton: \'85about personalized
breast cancer treatment\'85 \ \
Susan Denver: \'85and the Genomic Test. \ \
Coree: A test that helps guide a woman and her doctor\'85 \
\ Katherine Stockton: \'85to the best treatment
options for her. \ \
Susan Denver: Pass it on! }
