Athletes train to run marathons or climb mountains. People don't have that luxury when they get cancer. They hear "the C word" and suddenly find themselves in the midst of a journey they never wanted to take.

Their normal schedules go out the window and are replaced by doctors' visits, diagnostic tests, chemotherapy, radiation, and hours of worrying and waiting. Always waiting — for test results, for drugs to work, for the next step on the path. It's scary and overwhelming.

Fortunately, many patients no longer have to travel that path alone. The American Cancer Society trains patient navigators to help guide cancer patients and their families through the trials of cancer care. Many hospitals and cancer treatment centers have their own patient navigator programs.

This month, we talked to nurses who are patient navigators for WellStar Health System and Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser Permanente's initiative is only a year old but has been so successful that a second nurse is being hired to navigate.

We also talked to Becky Lavender, LCSW, a social worker and a key member of a team that cares for patients at the Aflac Cancer Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The team model at the cancer center has been a work in progress since 1985, when the hospital began performing blood and bone-

marrow transplants.

After writing this month's cover story, I received a news release from MCG Health System in Augusta, which announced the launch of its patient navigation program for those with breast cancer. Clearly, we're seeing a trend in cancer care.

"What I immediately do for our patients is offer them support — especially emotional support — at that particular moment," said Nicole Aenchbacher, MCG Health's breast cancer patient navigator. "From there, I extend my support to other aspects of their treatment, like making sure appointments are scheduled, tracking their progress, and making sure they understand the procedures they are having and why they are necessary in their continuum of care."

Navigators help allay patients' fears by answering questions and explaining medical terms. They help with quality-of-life issues, such as where to find wigs or support groups.

"My background has helped me better understand the world of medicine, but it's getting more complex to navigate, because of new technologies and other health care advancements," said Aenchbacher, who has 10 years of experience in radiology and oncology nursing. "If I can take away the stress of that complexity for my patients, then they can better deal with their diagnosis. I help remove any barriers to patient care."

MCG Health plans to expand its navigator program to help patients with other types of cancer. Because almost everyone has been touched by cancer in some way — through our own experience or that of a family member or friend — this is a health care trend that we can enthusiastically welcome.

- Do you have any story ideas for Pulse? We'd love to hear more about your career and what you do after hours. Send e-mail to pulseeditor@ajc.com or call 404-526-2078.