As part of Advocate Aurora Health, Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center offers the latest, most effective treatment options. Cancer care involves much more than the therapies that target their cancer, it means treating the whole person and supporting them along their journey.

Given the complexity of cancer care, people undergoing cancer treatments require additional support, including helping them understand the information their providers share and navigating health care logistics.

A Cancer Nurse Navigator (CNN) is a certified nurse whose clinical expertise, extensive experience and specialized training allows them to effectively enable patients and their loved ones to make informed decisions, CNNs guide patients through the entire cancer care process. Starting from diagnosis, a CNN helps patients overcome barriers to optimal care and links them to support services that are most appropriate to meet their individual needs, including community resources.

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center CNNs served 2,830 patients in 2021. This includes providing referrals to 40 Advocate Aurora providers and 383 community partners. Additionally, the CNNs facilitate community education classes, complete screenings for community members and partner with local community-based agencies to provide cancer prevention education and outreach.

Through community education and screening events, we hope to minimize cancer risk and improve outcomes through early detection. When a diagnosis does occur, our CNNs are there to reduce barriers and support patients every step of the way.