Patient advocates are professionals who perform many  functions: to look after the patient’s interests, to inform patients of their options; to advocate for and support their decisions; and to help them access the best care available to them. 

The social worker at your cancer treatment center and your care manager, if you have one, are two professionals who may act as your advocate. 

Many hospitals have people outside your treatment team called patient advocates who advocate for you during your treatment in the hospital. You can also hire a patient advocate. Local chapters of the American Cancer Society can help you locate a patient advocate if you decide you need one.

If you need financial help a social worker where you receive care can help identify local resources for the specific help you need.  On the Patient Advocate Foundation web site at http://data.patientadvocate.org there is a guide to help you locate different financial resources available in each state.

Written by  Linda Miller, RN, MA
Edited by Rachael Myers Lowe, cancerpage.com

This page was last edited on 04/18/2008