Rx….Survivor to Patient Peer Mentoring

"Sharing a burdened heart with another who has the wisdom, strength and knowledge to carry it, frees us from its weight long enough to focus on solutions."  -- Liane Cordes

Just diagnosed with Breast Cancer? Breast Buddy peer support volunteers have proven to be as important to a patient's treatment protocol for breast cancer as any surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. This unique concept was the brainchild of Elizabeth "Betsy" Mullen who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33.

This signature and award-winning program has several components that allow the newly diagnosed breast cancer patient to be paired with a breast cancer survivor. Survivors are trained as Breast Buddies, then matched with patients as peer mentors.

This specially trained volunteer spends two-days in an extensive training course to learn how she can become the "best medicine" for her Buddy. The education modules include such topics as; how to be a peer mentor, communication, problem solving and decision-making skills and effective listening, sexuality and breast cancer and personal health responsibility. After completing the course, the Breast Buddy volunteer is ready to shepherd that newly diagnosed breast cancer patient throughout their first year of treatment and recovery.

Breast Buddies are motivated to offer their support to new patients for a number or reasons. They become volunteers to: make a positive difference in the lives of others; feel needed; "give back" to their community; meet new people; add meaning to their lives; learn new skills; make an impact; be part of a team and to facilitate change. Because of their first-hand experience with breast cancer, volunteers can effectively share their experiences and perspectives with newly diagnosed patients and in so doing, also impact their own healing process.

The Breast Buddy volunteer learns to function as a patient advocate and supporter, not as a breast cancer authority. Unanswered medical and technical questions should be directed to the referring physician or nurse. The volunteers' training prepares them to assist in clarifying and/or prioritizing patients' needs and questions and to facilitate informed treatment decisions and improved communication between patients and their health care providers.

Any volunteer must be prepared to learn their limitations. There are words of caution for volunteers; never promise more than you can comfortably deliver. Know when to ask for assistance and when to refer questions or problems to members of the health care team.

It is imperative that the Breast Buddy volunteer be attentive and empathetic. Empathy is the key to understanding the emotional needs of breast cancer patients and developing a relationship that meets those needs. Listening to each patient with empathy will allow the volunteer to view situations from the patient's perspective.

It takes quite a bit of soul-searching to become a Breast Buddy. This unique volunteer must understand their own values and reactions and take full responsibility for them. By so doing, they will be able to separate themselves from their Buddy and guard against forcing their personal preferences on a patient. It is crucial that volunteers refrain from interfering with any patient or family member's approach to a situation, and to be sure not to give unsolicited advice.

The newly diagnosed breast cancer patient looks to her Breast Buddy as she begins to take the first steps in setting the patterns of communication and interaction. Breast cancer patients often feel isolated by their illness and disconnected from others. As the Breast Buddy volunteer reaches out to patients with care and sincerity, the patient learns to overcome those feelings. Regular phone calls and brief visits help the patient and are often appreciated. Breast Buddy volunteers learn many skills that help them break the ice and establish a relationship with each new patient. Cards and telephone calls at regular intervals to mark milestones in treatment help to communicate sincere
caring in a non-threatening way. Sensitivity is developed by learning to read patients and their individual needs at different phases of their treatment and recovery.

Peer mentors are also prime individuals who can make a difference in their communities by collaborating with their local policy makers as well as working with organizations that support breast cancer research.

Effective collaborations can be accomplished by establishing partnerships around a common vision and shooting for the stars! When working with others, volunteers and organizations need to establish measurable and achievable goals. They should be inclusive, pool their resources, share strengths, get to know the partners, establish open lines of communication, build relationships and trust, track results and build on the successes.

The Breast Buddy Breast Care Program has been recognized by American Association of Health Plans (AAHP) as an "exemplary practice …an outstanding women's health program that really is making a difference in improving women's health. This recognition has established Breast Buddies as the "gold standard" and has created a new paradigm of care for breast cancer patients.

If you are interested in learning more about the Breast Buddy Breast Care Program or implementing the program at a medical center in your area, please contact WIN ABC.

Last Updated: 02/12/2003

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