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The oncology nurse in population cancer screening – Expanding the navigator role
Abstract
Emerging trends in oncology nursing literature indicate an increasing need for specialized roles. The increasing complexity of cancer care presents a unique opportunity to expand the cancer patient navigator role to population cancer screening programs. Existing oncology nurse navigation competencies can be leveraged to improve cancer screening participation and reduce waiting times for access to diagnostic and treatment pathways. By expanding the scope of practice for oncology nurse navigators to include roles such as community engagement and improved access to care, nurse navigators in cancer screening programs can play a pivotal role in reducing cancer burden and improve health outcomes at a population level.
In 2019, Newfoundland and Labrador’s (NL) Provincial Cancer Care Program introduced a Screening Navigator position within its Population Screening Programs and specified community engagement and outreach as key requirements within the role. In 2021, a second screening navigator position was added. This article will highlight the expanded responsibilities of oncology nurse navigators in NL’s Population Screening Program to facilitate improved participant access, continuity of screening and diagnostic pathways and community engagement. By expanding the navigator scope to include cancer screening, community engagement, and improved access to care, oncology nurse navigators play a key role in reducing cancer burden and improve health outcomes at a population level.
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