Home of the Spanish-Speaking Women’s Cancer Initiative.
To support Latinos with cancer to overcome significant barriers to care and follow through with treatment, LC4 strategies include comprehensive assessment, case management, systems navigation, patient education, medical interpretation, and psychosocial support. LC4 agencies use a uniform intake form and process that assures clients are assessed and referred to all the appropriate services, insurance programs or financial assistance, and practical and psychosocial support available. Clients are referred to LC4 support from hospitals, county and community clinics, community screening and education events, community partners, and education events or through the toll-free line (866) 694-9960.
Bilingual, bicultural community- and systems-based patient advocates/navigators assist clients during diagnostic procedures and throughout treatment and during recovery. Working with medical staff, the patient advocates/navigators provide one to one education; help explain physician orders; and, access community resources and services for clients and their families. They assist clients with transportation to appointments, provide wigs and prosthetics and access emergency financial assistance to pay the rent, utilities or childcare. Psychosocial Spanish language patient support groups are available in four areas of the county to assist patients to cope with their disease, reduce stress and share information. Patient education classes help patients understand treatment options, chemotherapy and radiation effects, and nutrition and stress reduction.
When patients require advanced care, a social worker provides counseling, support and navigation to services.