THE Breast InstituteThe Breast Institute is dedicated to providing the breast cancer patients of our community with excellent care through every phase of their experience from diagnosis to survivorship.

The goal of The Breast Institute is to have the patient evaluated and seen by each physician within days of diagnosis. After the team of doctors reviews each case, the best treatment plan will be decided and communicated to the patient. Timing is paramount in relieving the stress brought on by the diagnosis of cancer.

A dedicated group of physicians, including oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and surgeons are engaged in the program, supported by a new patient navigator, oncology certified nurses, a dedicated pharmacist, social worker, physical therapists and dietician.

The program will have access to second opinions and teleconferences with experts at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, a partnership of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine and Seattle Children’s. Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center is a formal network affiliate of SCCA, which provides advantages of the research and trials under way at the world-renowned cancer research institutions.

The work to establish The Breast Institute is funded by a generous $200,000 grant from the Safeway Foundation.

For information, call Patient Navigator Dominique Dailly at 360-814-8148.

Patient navigator provides guidance for newly diagnosed Breast Cancer patients

Dominique Dailly is learning a new role as Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center’s first patient navigator in the newly formed Breast Institute.

She is the friendly voice, listening ear and advocate for each newly diagnosed breast cancer patient, ensuring that patients get the appointments and support they need in a timely way. She will also be helping patients locate resources, not only about their disease but about the importance of nutrition, exercise and attitude in the outcome of the disease.

“I will be someone who can help reduce the anxiety that comes with a diagnosis,” she said. “The diagnosis hits a person like a brick wall. It’s my goal to lift that weight and help any way I can, so that the patient can spend their energy on healing rather than on worrying.”

The goal of The Breast Institute is to have the patient evaluated and seen by each physician within days of diagnosis. After the team of doctors reviews each case, the best treatment plan will be decided and communicated to the patient. Timing is paramount in relieving the stress brought on by the diagnosis of cancer.

A patient navigator serves as the liaison between the patient and the physicians, scheduling appointments as needed with the radiologist, surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist. In addition, she connects patients with nurses and can link patients to the resources of the social worker, dietitian and physical therapist who are dedicated to the well-being of the patients of the Regional Cancer Care Center.

“I will be coordinating all of their care and combining appointments whenever possible to streamline the process and support their needs,” she said.  “We have the resources, physicians and services available here locally.”

Dailly will help access resources for the myriad questions a patient may have by giving the patient good and reliable sources of information.

“Ideally, I’ll be providing them with resources so they can look up the information when they are ready. Decisions are easier to make when one is informed,” she said.

She is also sitting in on the Regional Cancer Care Center’s support groups, art therapy classes and the Lebed exercise group so she can recommend these programs to patients and relate how these programs can benefit a patient.

To be informed, Dailly also attends the weekly cancer conference sessions where the multidisciplinary team of physicians evaluates each case and discusses the individualized treatment plan for each breast cancer patient.

“My message to patients is I am here for you to make your cancer journey as smooth as possible and give you the tools to fight the best you can,” she said. “I think I’ve always been a caregiver. I’m a nurturing kind of person.”

To contact Patient Navigator Dominique Dailly, call 360-814- 8236.