At The Health Insider, we are big advocates of patient proactivity and helping Canadians navigate the healthcare system for the best outcome. I used to believe that a patient facing something like a cancer diagnosis would have a team of doctors who would ensure that the patient would receive the fastest and best treatment the system has to offer. Unfortunately, that is often not the case at all.
When faced with a diagnosis of cancer, most patients are understandably overwhelmed. Between scans, surgeries, chemo, and radiation, the burden of navigating an already-overloaded healthcare system can feel insurmountable. But what if the difference between survival and suffering wasn’t just about the treatment itself, but about how that treatment is followed through? The answer, shockingly, may lie in one word: navigation.
Dr. Teresa Purzner and the Glioblastoma Wake-Up Call
Dr. Teresa Purzner is not your average physician. A Stanford PhD scientist, pediatric brain cancer researcher, startup founder, named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2021, and now neurosurgeon at Kingston Health Sciences Centre at Queen’s University, Dr. Purzner has turned her energy toward one of the deadliest cancers out there: glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
This aggressive brain cancer claims most of its victims within a year of diagnosis. Sure enough, in the case of my own father, we were given hope for another 2 years post-diagnosis. We lost him after 8 months.
While researching GBM patients in Kingston, Ontario, Dr. Purzner noticed something appalling: many were failing to complete treatment. They weren’t dying solely because of the disease. They were getting lost in the system.
Dr. Purzner wasted no time in taking immediate action: “We redesigned our system so that patients had access to nurse navigators. The results were immediate and dramatic.”
- 40% more patients received surgery within provincial targets
- Radiation therapy delays dropped by 40%
- Post-operative MRIs were completed on time for 89% of patients
This wasn’t a miracle drug. It was the result of helping patients stick to the plan.
Read more about Dr. Purzner’s transformative approach to patient care here.
The Harsh Reality of Self-Navigation
So how does this information help the rest of us who don’t have access to this wonderful setup in Kingston Ontario? Well, in the absence of a formal navigator, patients are expected to manage their own care coordination: calling specialists, confirming test appointments, following up on referrals, arranging transportation, chasing down results. This “DIY medicine” model is not only stressful—it’s dangerous.
Without a navigator:
- Critical follow-up appointments are missed
- Delays in treatment initiation can stretch from weeks to months
- Tests fall through the cracks, sometimes without anyone noticing
And these gaps have consequences. Missed radiation windows. Missed chances at surgical intervention. Missed hope.
Don’t wait for a wake-up call. Stay informed. Stay empowered.
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How a Navigator Saves Lives
Nurse navigators, patient coordinators, or oncology social workers do more than just answer phones. They are a dedicated bridge between the patient and the system, ensuring that the entire treatment pathway is not just prescribed but pursued.
They:
- Track and remind patients of appointments
- Liaise with oncology teams to catch delays before they cause harm
- Provide emotional support, education, and logistical help
- Help patients access financial, transportation, and social resources
In essence, they keep the cancer care machine running smoothly—because when it stalls, it can kill.
Why Canadians Need to Make Noise
We like to be polite. But as Dr. Kim Alexander reminds patients in her list of navigation essentials, being a “squeaky wheel” saves lives.
Dr. Alexander is a Canadian Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and medical writer known for her work in health communication and patient advocacy.
She shares practical, actionable advice for Canadians trying to get timely, effective healthcare within the often-fragmented system. Her writing is relevant to not just cancer patients, but to anyone at risk of falling through the cracks.
Waited two weeks without hearing from a specialist? Call. Go in person. Get on the cancellation list. Keep your own binder of records. Activate your voicemail. Track your test results. Ask for help.
But even the best-prepared patient shouldn’t have to do it alone.
The Health Insider Takeaway
We’ve been conditioned to believe that the hardest part of cancer is the treatment. But cancer is just one case in point. Across a wide range of chronic and acute health conditions, the real challenge often lies in the cracks between appointments, diagnoses, and follow-ups.
Navigating your healthcare isn’t just about being organized—it’s about being empowered. And that’s when you have a family doctor! What about the 6 million Canadians who don’t even have that as a starting point.
The quiet revolution led by physicians like Dr. Teresa Purzner underscores that navigation isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s cancer, diabetes, a rare diagnosis, or an everyday procedure, patients who actively engage in their care pathways—either with the help of a professional navigator or by adopting a proactive stance themselves—stand a better chance at timely, effective treatment and better outcomes.
So ask this question at every step: Who is making sure this doesn’t fall through the cracks? If the answer is “no one,” it might be time to advocate for a navigator—or become one yourself.
~Read more from The Health Insider~
- The Hidden Danger of Going It Alone: Why Cancer Patients Need a Navigator Now More Than Ever One doctor redesigned cancer care—not with a new drug, but with a nurse navigator. Survival rates changed overnight.
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The information provided on TheHealthInsider.ca is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. TheHealthInsider.ca advises consulting a medical professional or healthcare provider when seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.