Addressing breast cancer surgical disparities using a community-clinical linkage patient navigation model strategy in a NYC hospital system

[...]99% of all breast cancer patients received their SCPs in 2019. Despite the fact that there are several studies documenting the cost effectiveness of patient navigators to cancer care and that navigation is standard of care for CoC accreditation, most hospitals have to rely on philanthropic funding or leverage small donations to gain buy in from hospital administration. [...]navigators, such as the ones at our institution, serve as a link between the hospital and the community. Institutional support and billing for navigational services would allow cancer programs to continue to provide the high level of support to their cancer patients without worry of losing funding. [...]like other employees, patient navigators can be allowed to have continuing education to further increase their knowledge base to provide innovative ways to support their patients.Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest to disclose or report.Funding sources This research did not receive specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.Acknowledgements The author thanks the Beatrice W. Welters Program for their continued support of the patient navigation program.