Flushing Hospital was recently awarded a one-year, $49,790 grant, from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of survivors and activists, fighting to cure breast cancer. The grant, called the “Asian Breast Health Outreach, Screening Coordination and Navigation Initiative” will provide Chinese and Korean breast cancer patients with effective care and management.
“I am very happy about receiving the grant and the benefits it will bring to our patients,” said Dr. Sabiha Raoof, Chairperson, Radiology Department and Project Director for the grant. “Too often cultural differences hinder treatment and make our patients less receptive to proper care.”
The initiative will hire a Patient Navigator to assist with removing cultural barriers faced by many Asian breast cancer patients. The Navigator will address this issue by supporting patients from the beginning of their diagnosis through the treatment phase, ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate care. The Navigator will bridge the gaps in women’s access to care and help facilitate interaction and communication with health care staff and providers. Patients will be able to utilize appropriate social services and confront the psychological and emotional aspects of diagnosis, treatment, and care.
The grant period is from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009.