Marilu Velasquez was not your typical breast cancer patient.  Diagnosed in 2009 at the young age of 30 years old, she was a regular patient of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Health Center in Wyandanch.  With no insurance to undergo a mammogram, staff at the center suggested that Marilu contact the Cancer Services Program of Western Suffolk County, a partner of Good Samaritan Hospital that provides free breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screenings for eligible under- and uninsured men and women.  

After a mammogram, physicians at Good Samaritan discovered a lump in Marilu’s breast.  To determine if the growth was cancerous, Good Samaritan’s radiologists, nurses and board certified registered radiological technologists, who hold special expertise in all aspects of breast imaging, performed an ultrasound biopsy.  Her diagnosis was positive, prompting the hospital’s patient navigation program to contact Marilu so she could be educated on all aspects of breast cancer and assisted in coordinating her care.  With English being her second language, patient navigators helped Marilu with activities such as scheduling appointments and contacting physicians.

Good Samaritan provides personalized support by staff certified in cancer care and patient navigation.  Any cancer patient with a suspicious finding is referred to the navigator to ensure expedited diagnosis, treatment and quality care.  Navigators continually educate and guide patients and their families, while always keeping them connected to their interdisciplinary cancer care team.  

“This program was specifically designed to help patients overcome barriers to cancer care and navigate the health care system in an efficient and effective way.  When faced with a diagnosis of cancer, patients are not alone.  Good Samaritan is with them every step of the way,” stated Breast Health Services Coordinator Bonnie Edsall, RN.

Surgery with a breast reconstruction was the suggested treatment for Marilu.  Today she feels great and her doctors have told her she is successfully in remission.  She credits Good Samaritan and its Breast Health Center with providing her the exceptional education and care she needed.

Marilu stated, “At Good Samaritan, they take care of you!”

For more information on Good Samaritan's Breast Health Center, call (631) 376-4444.