Patient navigation: A vital tool to break down barriers to equitable cancer care in diverse settings

Patient navigation (PN) is a critical intervention to address multifactorial barriers to appropriate cancer care in diverse settings. PN guides patients through the complex health care system, particularly from diagnosis through treatment completion. Patient navigators assist with overcoming logistical, financial, and informational barriers, aiding patients in receiving timely, coordinated care.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a leader in both domestic and global PN. This session will discuss strategies to build sustainable and innovative cancer PN, including: 1) the BEACON (Building Expertise, Advocacy, and Capacity for Oncology Navigation) Initiative, begun as a pilot at national cancer hospitals in Kenya and Uganda that has now has expanded to 25 countries and 40 hospitals and organizations and growing by 3-5 partners every quarter through free access to the Global Oncology Navigation Toolkit and virtual Community of Practice; 2) domestically, the CARES (Community Access to Resources, Education and Support) app and LION (Leadership in Oncology Navigation) certification program, building upon advocacy for PN insurance reimbursement; and 3) the Global Alliance for Cancer Patient Navigation, which convenes global PN stakeholders to unify principles around sustainable PN design and implementation in diverse settings, and coalescing around unified metrics, dissemination, financing strategies, and involvement of policymakers.