Breast Cancer Program Receives Grant

The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program has received a grant of $70,000 from the Greater NYC Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to provide emotional support, guidance, concrete services and advocacy for women of color diagnosed with breast cancer on Long Island.

A key component of the program is provided at the Nassau University Medical Center's breast clinic. There Adelphi's bilingual social workers, Angela Papalia, LMSW, and Lois Goetz, LMSW, offer social work services for women diagnosed with breast cancer, many of whom are uninsured, underinsured or who do not speak English as a first language.

"The Adelphi program offers wonderful support to our patients, which in turn is so important to our doctors and nurses in doing their work effectively and providing excellent care for our patients," says Chris Mancuso, Director of the Cancer Screening Program at NUMC. Social work services are available from the time of diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

"In addition to the flood of emotions experienced by women coping with breast cancer," says Ms. Papalia, "many of the women who come to NUMC are struggling with the added stresses of being uninsured and undocumented. They welcome the emotional support, guidance, concrete services and advocacy efforts."

Written materials are offered in Spanish and English so that each patient can make an informed decision regarding her particular situation. Social workers assist patients in navigating the complexities of the health care system within NUMC and within the larger community. Since there are many gaps in resources available to these patients, efforts are made to fill these gaps by appealing to community resources.

This year, Adelphi's program at NUMC added some significant components. The social workers introduced a support group for Spanish-speaking breast cancer patients. Also, the bi-lingual social workers have been invited to attend the weekly case conference where pathology, surgery, radiology and nursing staff review recently diagnosed patients. This interdisciplinary meeting provides a valuable opportunity for Adelphi's social workers and NUMC physicians and breast imaging nurses to exchange information regarding patients' needs.

"We are grateful to the Greater NYC Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure for recognizing how necessary this work is and enabling us to continue year after year," says Hillary Rutter, LCSW, director of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Program.

For information about this program and other services of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, call 800-877-8077.