Fortunately, in the mid 1990s, the Hinton Health Centre opened a cancer clinic that can administer chemotherapy to patients in the region—Jasper, Grande Cache, Hinton and Edson.
“But any oncology appointments, any access to other resources or any complications and you’re probably going to have to go to the city,” said Liz Steneker, a registered nurse at the clinic.
So to alleviate some of the stress and cost of those travels, the cancer clinic has, with funding from the Alberta Cancer Foundation, implemented a new cancer patient navigation program.
Steneker and her colleague Tammy Koch, both of whom administer chemotherapy at the clinic Tuesday through Thursday, were trained late last year to provide assistance and support to rural cancer patients.
“Rural patients don’t have the resources that people in Edmonton do,” said Steneker. “So they created [the cancer patient navigator] role so that people don’t feel like they’re disconnected. We’re kind of the one stop shop for anything that can help lessen their anxiety.”
Steneker and Koch now have an extra day of work devoted to following up with patients and answering any questions they might have. They also help schedule appointments in Edmonton so that patients can drive to the city once rather than numerous times. And they put people in touch with hotels that give reduced rates to cancer patients.
“One of the hardest parts is travelling,” said Koch. “Most of our patients, not all, but most, are on the elderly side so it is stressful for them to find a driver and once they do find a driver and arrange for a family member to take them, they want to go once and come back, they don’t want to be there once this week and once next week and once the week after. It’s just an added stress for them. So, this way we can make it a little easier for them.”
As part of their training, Koch and Steneker made community visits to see what resources exist in each town, so they can recommend them to their patients. While in Jasper, they were blown away.
“Jasper has the best resources of them all,” said Koch. “Your [Community and Family Services] chapter is unbelievable in town there. Their home care is fantastic and there is a cancer support group that is really passionate about providing financial and emotional support to people in Jasper,” she said of the Cancer Action and Support Group.
They also noted that because Jasper is a small town, people are aware of those in need and they’re more willing to lend a helping hand.
Jasperites interested in the cancer navigation program, whether they have questions about their diagnosis or need assistance setting up their travels, can self-refer by calling the cancer clinic.
“For anyone with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer, we’ll welcome questions. They don’t need to be referred through a physician,” said Steneker.
