Inova Breast Care Institute Launches Breast Care Navigator Program

Breast Cancer Experts Will Guide Patients from Diagnosis to Recovery

Falls Church, VA – (March 5, 2009) — Inova Health System recently launched its system-wide breast care navigator program, as part of the Inova Breast Care Institute. The breast care navigator role has been in place at Inova Fairfax Hospital since 2004.

Patients across the region can now call one phone number and receive assistance from a navigator, who is a registered nurse, trained to guide patients from their initial diagnosis, through treatment and into recovery.

“A breast cancer diagnosis is a scary time for women and their loved ones,” said Kirsten Edmiston, MD, medical director, Inova Cancer Services. “Questions need to be answered and challenges need to be overcome during this difficult time. Our navigators are there to provide support and guidance for our patients through the entire medical process.”

Breast care navigators are located at Inova Alexandria, Inova Fairfax, Inova Fair Oaks, Inova Loudoun and Inova Mount Vernon hospitals, to ensure that women continue to have convenient and timely access to the resources they need.

Navigators receive specialized training about breast cancer and the healthcare system, making certain that patients can participate in:

• Clinical research trials
• Educational classes through our Life with Cancer program
•  Genetic counseling
• Nutritional support
• Rehabilitation and lymphedema therapy
• Resources for family members

This service is offered free and confidentially at all Inova hospitals.

The Inova Breast Care Institute has entry points throughout Northern Virginia for patients diagnosed with any type of breast cancer. Its multidisciplinary approaches and advanced technologies can treat the most challenging types of breast cancer. The Institute is also a member of the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers in Northern Virginia, an organization that monitors the quality of care delivered to breast cancer patients in the region.

To contact one of our breast care navigators or for more information about the Inova Breast Care Institute, call 703-916-2700 or visit www.inova.org/cancer.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.