January 11, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Grappling with a cancer diagnosis and its ensuing treatment can be a confusing and emotional time for patients and their families. The American Cancer Society and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), thanks to support from AstraZeneca, want to help families through this trying experience.

An American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program has just launched at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center to provide one-on-one support and education service that pairs cancer patients and their caregivers with a trained ‘navigator.’

The UAB-based navigator will serve as a personal guide for patients as they face various challenges in their cancer experience. Patients may receive assistance handling the psychological, emotional and financial toll that a cancer diagnosis may cause. Navigator services are free and confidential, and place an emphasis on assisting the medically underserved.

Drug maker AstraZeneca has pledged $10 million to the Society to expand the development of at least 50 new Patient Navigator Program sites during a five-year period in communities throughout the United States.

“A cancer diagnosis can be a life-changing experience for patients, their families and their caregivers,” said Carlette Hines, director of survivorship for the Society’s Mid-South Division. “Our patient navigators are able to provide support every step of the way, from explaining what to expect with chemotherapy, to making sure patients have transportation to and from appointments. Fighting cancer is a difficult, challenging journey; with the help of trained navigators, patients don’t have to go through it alone.”

UAB was among the first sites picked for the expansion and is the first Patient Navigator Program in the Society’s six-state Mid-South region. AstraZeneca’s support will enable the navigator to work full time and help more than 800 cancer patients at UAB overcome barriers to care each year.

“Having an American Cancer Society patient navigator at UAB will enable us to assist underserved and under-resourced patients and their families,” said UAB Cancer Center Director Edward Partridge, M.D., a noted researcher in efforts to reduce cancer disparities. “Cancer is a significant burden to everyone, but especially for individuals who have major financial difficulties and challenges overcoming barriers daily.”

The American Cancer Society estimated that 1.4 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer in 2007, including 20,000 in Alabama. Patient navigators seek to improve quality of life for cancer patients, families and caregivers throughout the continuum – from time of diagnosis, through treatment, into survivorship. As no cancer experience is the same, navigators are equipped to provide patients with customized, current, easy-to-understand cancer-related information.

“AstraZeneca is thrilled to be the first corporation to give nationwide, large-scale support to the American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program,” said Lisa Schoenberg, vice president of Specialty Care, AstraZeneca LP. “Supporting the Patient Navigator Program is part of our mission to improve health outcomes in communities throughout the country by giving cancer patients access to the medicines and care they need to live longer, healthier lives.”

Formally launched in 2005, the American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program is collaboration with community-based hospitals and cancer centers. There are currently 84 Patient Navigator Program sites across the nation.