Breast and GYN Health Project

Our goals for 2022:
80% of all women newly diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancer will receive support and information from the Breast and GYN Health Project

Assist at least 50 low-income women needing financial assistance with information and referrals to financial resources.

Strategy 1: Because most of BGHP's referrals come from family and friends, get the word out about BGHP services via presentations to groups throughout the region, attend health fairs, via social media and through BGHP's bi-annual newsletter.

Strategy 2: Because BGHP's second most common referral resource is healthcare providers, conduct targeted communications to primary care, surgeons and oncology practices to provide them information and tools for referrals.

BGHP offers a highly experienced, technically competent team to meet our mission to assist our local community as its members face breast or gynecologic cancer. Experienced RN Co-Client Services Director, Experienced Co-Client Services Director specializing in Young Women, and our Physician Medical Consultant work with trained peer support volunteers to assist clients with cancer concerns or cancer diagnoses. The Executive Director has over 20 years experience with resources for cancer patients and local health care providers.

BGHP's staff work closely with client's medical teams - primary care, local oncology and out of area oncology - to help patients try to have the best outcome possible. The Physician Medical Consultant attends many of the weekly tumor boards. The Executive Director attends the locally accredited cancer program's quarterly cancer committee meetings.

During COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022), as an essential service, BGHP provided services to clients in-person as well as offering volunteers/staff to work from home. Established clients experienced tremendous support which went uninterrupted. Initially BGHP's new client numbers dropped, as people had trouble accessing care and declined to seek care in the early part of the pandemic.

As of May 2023, BGHP is now seeing new client numbers monthly which are exceeding 2019 numbers. BGHP is on track to assist over 400 local people (our clients) facing breast or gynecologic cancer concerns. This shows BGHP's impact, because recent California Cancer Registry estimates are that about 100 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40 women with gynecologic (uterine and cervical) cancers annually in Humboldt and Del Norte counties combines. Most of these clients we assist are dealing with a cancer diagnosis, rather than a concern. The primary referral source is friends and family, followed by referrals from local medical providers.

Here are some specific outcomes from 2022:
* 525 patient navigation services were provided to clients to help them access not only medical services, but financial and social services resources too.

* 156 support group sessions were held of eight different groups. There were 489 support group attendees over the course of the year.

* 35 people with cancer concerns received decision support/ medical visit consultations with BGHP's Medical Consultant to help them become better educated about their diagnosis and treatment options.

* 65 special medical record binders were given out to people newly diagnosed with cancer

* 36 women sought help to obtain a free wig, breast prosthesis, bra, scarf, etc. Many more received referrals to professionals who could help them use their health coverage to obtain brand new prosthetics and wigs.

* Over 25 people with breast or gynecologic cancer received a specially-decorated ChemoKit bag filled with useful items to help them as they underwent chemotherapy.

Collaboration with local health care providers: In Fall 2022, BGHP's medical consultant provided an inservice to the largest safety net primary care clinic (Open Door)about their role to help breast and gyn cancer patients. We also met with two lead nurses from the local medical oncology program, and have done in-person presentations to a large surgical practice and large GYN practice. After this presentation, we have seen an increase in referrals and improved collaboration to help local cancer patients get better care.

Every Spring and Fall, BGHP distributes packets of useful resource information over 75 medical offices and hospitals in our region. There is material specifically for patients as well as for health care providers about BGHP support services, local resources for low-income women and referral forms. We regularly hear clients say that they picked up this information at their doctors' offices.