Our Voices Cancer Survivors and Caregivers
Interviews were conducted with 16 cancer survivors and caregivers to better understand their experience with existing services. Interviewees offered recommendations on the most significant opportunities for improvement in terms of improving care and saving lives. The following themes emerged from these interviews. Themes STRENGTHS AND ASSETS Interviewees identified three areas as local strengths or assets associated with their cancer journey.
CANCER SCREENING BBAHC staff regularly encourage patients to undergo cancer screening.
PROVIDER APPROACH Certain BBAHC physicians were praised for their clear communication, helpfulness, and concern when testing and delivering diagnoses.
CARING COMMUNITY
Our community was amazing. We had people taking care of us.” “
Bristol Bay area residents take good care of their neighbors and support each other.
CHALLENGES Cancer survivors and caregivers cited five distinct challenges associated with cancer care and services at BBAHC.
Trust: Residents lack trust in BBAHC physicians to complete cancer screening. Stakeholders described incidents in which doctors dismissed cancer symptoms, delaying treatment.
Case Management: Lack of adequate case management often forces patients to figure out travel arrangements, lodging, and funding options on their own.
Financial Burden: Finances are stressful even when patients have good incomes, because travel costs for cancer treatment are high. Medicaid allowances do not cover all food costs during travel.
Provider Engagement: Some BBAHC physicians were described as disengaged and uncaring, sometimes talking to patients as if they had no education.
Non-beneficiary Support: Non-Indian Health Service (IHS) patients sometimes said they received less logistical support than IHS beneficiaries.
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