What Is a Patient Advocate?

A time of illness is a stressful time for patients as well as for their families. The best-laid plans can go awry, judgment is impaired and, put simply, you are not at your best when you are sick. Patients need someone who can look out for their best interests and help navigate the confusing healthcare system—in other words, an advocate.

An advocate is a “supporter, believer, sponsor, promoter, campaigner, backer or spokesperson.” It is important to consider all of these aspects when choosing an advocate for yourself or someone in your family. An effective advocate is someone you trust who is willing to act on your behalf as well as someone who can work well with other members of your healthcare team such as your doctors and nurses.

Patient advocates can often be very helpful in cutting through red tape. I-SPY 2 TRIAL offers a group of volunteer Patient Advocates who can help prospective trial participants better understand the trial, and help current patients navigate trial study process.

For more information regarding I-SPY 2 Patient Advocates, please contact Jane Perlmutter at janep@gemini-grp.com

Peer Support

Peer support is also available for breast cancer patients.  For more than 30 years, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization has been providing emotional support and information to people concerned about breast cancer.

When you call the Y-ME Hotline, you can reach a peer counselor who is also a breast cancer survivor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

For a detailed description of Y-ME’s services, please visit:  http://www.y-me.org/

Y-ME 24-hour Hotline:  1-800-221-2141