Healthier Hawaii: National Cancer Survivor Month, you’re not alone after a cancer diagnosis
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – We all know someone who’s been affected by cancer. In Hawaii alone, more than 7,000 people are diagnosed each year. June is National Cancer Survivor Month, a time to recognize survivors and highlight the support available to patients and families statewide.
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Noe McGuire, a registered nurse and oncology nurse navigator with Hawaii Pacific Health, says one of the most important messages for newly diagnosed patients is simple: You don’t have to figure this out by yourself.
What a nurse navigator does
McGuire describes nurse navigators as guides for patients at a moment when many feel overwhelmed. After a diagnosis, she says, it’s common for people to feel lost, unsure of what happens next or how to manage the many appointments and decisions ahead.
“A nurse navigator is someone who will truly hold a patient’s hand throughout their journey, from beginning to end,” she said. “Listen to them. Just be there.”
She calls it demanding work, but deeply rewarding.
Nurse navigators provide an overall assessment, help coordinate care, and make sure patients understand their next steps. They also work as part of a broader care team that can include physicians, nurse practitioners, licensed social workers, and oncology liaisons.
“We let patients know they’re not alone,” McGuire said. “We’re here to hold their hand and walk them through the process.”
Help with finances, transportation, and emotional support
Hawaii Pacific Health sees patients from across the state, including those who must travel from neighbor islands for care. McGuire said common needs include financial guidance, transportation support, and emotional resources.
She points to Hawaii Pacific Health’s financial assistance program, along with other programs that may help patients manage costs. For travel, she says the system works with the American Cancer Society to help coordinate flights for neighbor island patients, or transportation support for those on Oahu.
Patients can also be connected to nutrition information and clinical trials, depending on their situation and eligibility.
Support groups open beyond Hawaii
McGuire says support groups can be an important part of healing, and they aren’t limited to current patients.
Hawaii Pacific Health support groups are open to anyone, whether they live on Oahu, a neighbor island, or even on the mainland. McGuire says people on the continent with local ties to Hawaii have also joined.
Some attend once or twice. Others keep coming for years. The groups are organized by cancer type, which McGuire says helps people connect with others who understand what they’re going through. Over time, she says, many participants form friendships with people they never knew before.
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