Works to Ensure Patient Needs Are Satisfied
As a Social Work Navigator for Aurora Family Service, Dawn Shelton-Williams, MSW, LCSW, helps patients dealing with health crisis plan a course of action. Through a grant from the Wisconsin Well Woman Program, she assists women with overcoming barriers and challenges that may prevent them from getting breast and cervical cancer screenings; diagnostic test follow up; or initiating cancer treatment.
“Research confirms that cultural sensitivity plays a major factor in the treatment of African American patients,” said Shelton-Williams. In the November 2018 article — Black Women Are 40% More Likely To Die From Breast Cancer Than White Women. Here’s Why, Dr. Doris Browne, past president of the Black physician’s group the National Medical Association and a former National Cancer Institute leader confirms this fact. “Patients are more likely to divulge concerns to providers from their own racial and ethnic group.”
Shelton-Williams explains, “I work directly with patients to identify their specific needs and make sure they are addressed; connect patients to appropriate services; help with communications between the patient, family members, and clinicians to ensure clarity, patient satisfaction, and quality of care.”
Encouraging personal responsibility, Janie M. Washington’s, MD, FACOG says, “It is of the utmost importance that we know our bodies, perform self-examinations regularly, and obtain the recommended mammogram and cervical cancer screening dictated by our individual history and risk factors. Earlier detection saves lives!
The American Cancer Society’s document, Cancer Facts, and Figures for African Americans 2016-2018 reports that “The risk of being diagnosed with cancer increases with age because most cancers require years to develop. About 1 in 2 black men and 1 in 3 black women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Screenings offer the opportunity to detect cancer early and reduce mortality for breast and cervical cancers.
Shelton-Williams explains, “I work directly with patients to identify their specific needs and make sure they are addressed; connect patients to appropriate services; help with communications between the patient, family members, and clinicians to ensure clarity, patient satisfaction, and quality of care.”
Encouraging personal responsibility, Janie M. Washington’s, MD, FACOG says, “It is of the utmost importance that we know our bodies, perform self-examinations regularly, and obtain the recommended mammogram and cervical cancer screening dictated by our individual history and risk factors. Earlier detection saves lives!
The American Cancer Society’s document, Cancer Facts, and Figures for African Americans 2016-2018 reports that “The risk of being diagnosed with cancer increases with age because most cancers require years to develop. About 1 in 2 black men and 1 in 3 black women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Screenings offer the opportunity to detect cancer early and reduce mortality for breast and cervical cancers.