Hearing the words "You have cancer." is emotionally challenging even when you speak your doctor's language... imagine seeing their grave expression and knowing something is seriously wrong but not being able to completely understand what they are saying. An enormous amount of information is given to a new patient and their caregivers when a diagnosis of cancer is made. There are treatment plans to discuss and sign off on, prescriptions to get filled and take correctly... lots of information from lots of different people. It can be overwhelming for anyone, regardless of their native language.
At Hope Cancer Resources we have a Spanish language interpreter and a social worker who work with patients and provide interpretation services for them and their families. Kathy Taylor, our interpreter, and Adela Martinez, one of our licensed social workers, can answer questions on the phone, meet with new patients at Highlands Oncology Clinic, or accompany a family to medical and other appointments that are required to support their diagnosis. Kathy also helps translate the materials we provide to the community as well, an invaluable asset as we work toward our goal of reaching ALL of Northwest Arkansas with our services and educational programs.
There is no good way to learn you have cancer. But with a little bit of help, we hope we can take away the uncertainty and confusion that language barriers can cause.
For more information on translation services, contact Kathy Taylor at 479-361-5847 or kathy.taylor@hopecancerresources.org
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