Lynn Lutwin’s official title is “patient navigator.” She helps guide breast cancer patients through a maze of treatments, doctors’ appointments and insurance issues on their way to
By Somerset Medical Center
But her new role at The Steeplechase Cancer Center at Somerset Medical Center involves so much more: she’s an educational resource, a referral source, an advocate and simply just an understanding ear and voice of comfort to women with breast cancer.
“A breast cancer diagnosis can be a very overwhelming time for patients and their families,” says Lutwin, RN, a certified oncology nurse who has 20 years of experience in the cancer field. “I’m here to help make this difficult time a little less confusing and scary for them, from the time they are first diagnosed through their treatment and recovery.”
Lutwin works closely with the sanofi-aventis Breast Cancer Institute at The Steeplechase Cancer Center, a team of doctors, nurses and health care professionals from a variety of specialties who develop individualized plans of care for breast cancer patients. She helps expedite appointments for surgery and medical oncology and radiation services at the cancer center.
She often visits patients on the day of their surgeries, bringing them special pillows from the American Cancer Society to help cushion and protect their incisions from their cars’ seatbelts. She then gives them follow-up phone calls a week later to see how they’re doing and periodically calls them throughout their treatment to address any questions or concerns.
One mastectomy patient recently needed help finding a breast reconstructive surgeon who accepted her insurance plan. After doing research on the Internet and calling several doctors’ offices, Lutwin arranged an appointment for the patient, ensuring she would get the care she needed.
Other patients come to Lutwin with questions about their treatment options or for information about specialized items for women with cancer, such as wigs and prostheses. She also directs women to local support groups, complementary medicine and resources for pain management and palliative care. After their treatments end, patients may continue to turn to her for ongoing support.
“The addition of the breast cancer patient navigator is a natural extension of the personalized, compassionate care that is our hallmark at The Steeplechase Cancer Center,” says oncologist Kathleen Toomey, MD, medical director of the cancer center, who has referred several patients to the patient navigator program.
To contact the breast cancer patient navigator, call 908-704-3781. For more information about cancer services at The Steeplechase Cancer Center, visit www.steeplechasecancercenter.com