Navigating Care: Your Complete Guide to Digital Cancer Care Management

Managing a cancer diagnosis can feel like navigating a storm without a compass. Between appointments, treatments, and the emotional toll, it’s easy to feel lost. What if you had a digital companion to guide you every step of the way?

This is where Navigating Care comes in. It’s a powerful digital health platform designed specifically for cancer patients. It helps you manage your care, communicate with your providers, and take control of your health journey. This isn’t just another app; it’s a lifeline.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Navigating Care. You’ll learn how its features can transform your experience, see real stories from patients who have used it, and understand how it keeps your most sensitive information safe. Let’s begin.

What is Navigating Care? Understanding Your Digital Health Companion

Navigating Care is more than just a patient portal; it’s a comprehensive digital health platform designed with the unique needs of cancer patients in mind. Think of it as a secure, 24/7 digital companion that connects you directly to your oncology care team and empowers you to take an active role in your treatment. It is used by over 2,000 oncology providers and more than 1.5 million patients annually, making it a trusted and widely adopted solution in cancer care.

Unlike traditional patient portals that simply provide access to medical records, Navigating Care is an interactive tool. It helps you manage your appointments, track your symptoms in real-time, and communicate securely with your doctors and nurses. The platform’s core philosophy is patient-centered care, which means it’s designed to put you at the center of your healthcare journey, giving you the tools and information you need to feel more in control.

From major cancer centers to local oncology practices, Navigating Care is helping to bridge the communication gap between patients and providers. It streamlines workflows for clinical staff, allowing them to monitor your health remotely and intervene quickly when necessary. For you, the patient, it means less time spent on the phone, fewer trips to the clinic for non-urgent issues, and more time focusing on what matters most: your health and well-being.

Essential Features That Transform Your Cancer Care Experience

Navigating Care is packed with features designed to make your cancer treatment journey smoother and more manageable. Each tool is built to address a specific challenge that patients often face, from tracking symptoms to communicating with their care team. Let’s explore the essential features that can transform your experience.

Health Tracker & Symptom Management

One of the most powerful features of Navigating Care is the Health Tracker. This tool allows you to report your symptoms in real-time, from the comfort of your home. Instead of waiting for your next appointment to discuss side effects, you can log them as they happen. This provides your care team with immediate insights into how you’re feeling and enables them to respond quickly if your symptoms worsen. Early detection of complications like infection or severe side effects can prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and improve your quality of life during treatment. As one patient from Minnesota Oncology shared, “Health Tracker is an easy way to touch base and receive quick answers regarding questions or concerns that may occur during a course of chemo.”

Secure Messaging with Care Team

Forget the frustration of phone tag and long wait times. Navigating Care offers secure, two-way messaging that connects you directly with your care team. You can ask non-urgent questions, report new symptoms, or request information without having to make a phone call. All communication is encrypted and HIPAA-compliant, ensuring your privacy is protected. This direct line of communication reduces anxiety and helps you get the answers you need, when you need them, fostering a stronger, more collaborative relationship with your providers.

Medical Records Access

Your health information belongs to you. Navigating Care gives you 24/7 access to your personal medical records, including lab results, radiology reports, and visit summaries. You can view and download your health information at any time, which empowers you to better understand your diagnosis and treatment plan. Having this information at your fingertips makes it easier to share with other providers or family members involved in your care, ensuring everyone is on the same page. The platform uses robust security measures to protect your sensitive data, so you can be confident that your information is safe.

Appointment & Medication Management

Keeping track of appointments, scans, and medication schedules can be overwhelming. Navigating Care simplifies this with an integrated calendar that helps you manage all your appointments in one place. You can also request prescription refills and receive reminders for upcoming visits and medication doses. This feature helps improve treatment adherence, which is crucial for achieving the best possible outcomes. By staying organized and on top of your schedule, you can reduce the stress of managing the logistical aspects of your care.

Personalized Patient Education

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your health. Navigating Care provides a library of personalized, trustworthy educational resources tailored to your specific diagnosis and treatment plan. You can access articles, videos, and other materials that help you understand your condition, manage side effects, and make informed decisions about your care. This evidence-based content is curated by medical experts, so you can be sure you’re getting reliable information, not misinformation from the internet.

Why Navigating Care Works: The Science Behind Better Cancer Care

The benefits of Navigating Care go beyond convenience. The platform is built on a foundation of clinical research and evidence-based practices that have been shown to improve patient outcomes. By integrating digital health tools into the care journey, Navigating Care helps patients achieve better results, from improved symptom management to a higher quality of life. Here’s a look at the science behind why it works.

Real-Time Symptom Monitoring

A growing body of research shows that electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) can significantly improve cancer care. A study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that when patients report their symptoms in real-time, care teams can intervene earlier, often preventing serious complications. This proactive approach to symptom management has been linked to fewer emergency room visits, reduced hospitalizations, and even improved survival rates. Navigating Care’s Health Tracker is a powerful ePRO tool that puts this research into practice, allowing for early detection of adverse events and a better quality of life for patients.

Enhanced Communication

Clear and timely communication is the cornerstone of effective healthcare. Navigating Care breaks down the traditional barriers between patients and providers, creating a direct line for secure messaging. This enhanced connectivity reduces patient anxiety and ensures that questions don’t go unanswered. When patients feel heard and supported, they are more likely to be engaged in their care. This collaborative relationship fosters trust and empowers patients to become active partners in their treatment journey, leading to better overall outcomes.

Better Treatment Compliance

Adhering to a complex cancer treatment plan can be challenging. Missed appointments or incorrect medication dosages can compromise the effectiveness of therapy. Navigating Care helps patients stay on track with automated reminders for appointments and medications. The platform’s educational resources also play a crucial role in improving compliance. When patients understand the “why” behind their treatment, they are more motivated to follow it. Research has consistently shown that better treatment adherence is linked to higher survival rates and more successful outcomes.

Reduced Healthcare Costs

By focusing on preventive care and early intervention, Navigating Care can help reduce the overall cost of cancer treatment. Real-time symptom monitoring allows care teams to manage side effects before they become severe, avoiding costly emergency room visits and hospital stays. Enhanced communication and better treatment compliance also contribute to more efficient and effective care. For both patients and the healthcare system, this proactive approach translates into long-term savings and a more sustainable model of care.

Real Patients, Real Results: How Navigating Care Made a Difference

Behind the technology and the data are real people whose lives have been changed for the better. These stories highlight the profound impact that a patient-centered digital health platform can have on the cancer journey. From managing debilitating side effects to coordinating complex care schedules, Navigating Care provides the support that patients and their families need. Here are a few stories from patients who have experienced the benefits firsthand.

Sarah’s Chemotherapy Journey: Catching a Crisis Early

Sarah, a 45-year-old teacher diagnosed with breast cancer, was anxious about starting chemotherapy. Her biggest fear was not knowing how to manage the side effects at home, far from her care team. Using Navigating Care’s Health Tracker, she began logging her temperature and energy levels daily. One evening, she reported a low-grade fever and unusual fatigue. The platform flagged the entry, and a nurse from her oncology clinic called her within the hour. They discovered she had early signs of neutropenia, a dangerous drop in white blood cells. Thanks to the early detection, her team adjusted her treatment and prevented a life-threatening infection. “I can’t imagine what would have happened if I had just waited for my next appointment,” Sarah says. “Navigating Care gave me a voice and helped my doctors see what was happening in real-time.”

Michael’s Care Coordination: A Family United

Michael, a 68-year-old retiree with prostate cancer, was seeing multiple specialists, and his care had become fragmented. His daughter, who lived in another state, struggled to keep up with his appointments and medications. With Michael’s permission, she was added as a caregiver on his Navigating Care account. Suddenly, she could see all his upcoming appointments, view his lab results, and even message his doctors with questions. The platform became their central hub for coordinating his care. As a result, Michael’s medication adherence improved, and his daughter felt empowered to support him, despite the distance. The portal didn’t just organize his medical information; it brought his family closer and ensured he never missed a critical step in his treatment.

Linda’s Emotional Support Journey: Finding Community

For Linda, a 52-year-old living with ovarian cancer, the emotional toll was just as challenging as the physical one. She felt isolated and anxious, especially during the long weeks between treatments. Through Navigating Care, she discovered a wealth of personalized educational resources about managing anxiety and connecting with support groups. The platform provided her with articles and videos on mindfulness and coping strategies. More importantly, it connected her with a virtual patient community where she could share her experiences with others who understood what she was going through. This sense of community and access to mental health resources became a critical part of her holistic healing process, reminding her that she was not alone.

Your Privacy Matters: Security & Compliance in Navigating Care

When it comes to your health information, trust is everything. You need to know that your most sensitive data is protected. Navigating Care is built on a foundation of robust security and strict compliance with healthcare regulations. The platform is designed to give you peace of mind, so you can focus on your health without worrying about your privacy. Here’s how Navigating Care keeps your information safe.

First and foremost, Navigating Care is fully HIPAA compliant. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient data. This means the platform adheres to strict rules about how your information is stored, transmitted, and accessed. All data is encrypted, both in transit and at rest, which means it’s converted into a secure code that can only be deciphered by authorized users. This is the same level of security used by banks and financial institutions.

You are in control of your information. Navigating Care allows you to decide who can see your health records. You can grant access to family members or caregivers and manage their permission levels. No one can access your account without your consent. The platform also undergoes regular security audits by independent third parties to ensure it meets the highest standards of data protection. These audits test for vulnerabilities and ensure that all security measures are up-to-date and effective, protecting you from potential data breaches.

How to Get Started with Navigating Care: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting started with Navigating Care is simple. The platform is available by invitation through your cancer clinic. Once you’re enrolled, you can access your account from any computer, tablet, or smartphone. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get set up and start taking advantage of all the features.

1. Registration Process

To begin, you’ll need to provide your email address to the staff at your oncology clinic. They will send you an email invitation from Navigating Care. Open the email and click the registration link to create your account. You’ll be asked to create a unique username and a secure password. If you don’t have an email address, your clinic can provide you with temporary login credentials to get started.

2. First Login & Navigation

Once your account is created, you can log in at patient.navigatingcare.com. The first time you log in, you’ll see your personal dashboard. This is your home base, where you can get a quick overview of your upcoming appointments, recent lab results, and any new messages from your care team. Take a few minutes to explore the different sections, such as “Health Tracker,” “Appointments,” and “Messages,” to familiarize yourself with the layout.

3. Adding Family Members

Navigating Care makes it easy to involve your loved ones in your care. You can invite family members or caregivers to access your account by going to the “My Care Team” section. You have full control over what they can see and do. For example, you can give them permission to view your appointments and lab results but not to send messages on your behalf. This feature ensures that your support network stays informed and engaged.

4. Getting Help & Support

If you have any questions or run into technical issues, help is just a click away. The Navigating Care platform has a comprehensive FAQ section with answers to common questions. You can also find video tutorials that walk you through the different features. For more personalized assistance, you can contact the Navigating Care support team by phone at 1-800-925-4456 or by email at support@navigatingcare.com.

Navigating Care vs. Traditional Care Management: What’s Different?

Aspect	Traditional Care	Navigating Care
Access to Records	Phone calls, mail, in-person requests	24/7 instant online access
Symptom Reporting	During scheduled appointments	Real-time tracking from home
Provider Communication	Phone calls during office hours	Secure messaging anytime
Education Materials	Generic printed handouts	Personalized digital content
Medication Tracking	Patient memory or manual logs	Automated reminders and tracking
Family Involvement	Limited and informal	Full, permission-based access
Emergency Response	Delayed until patient calls or visits	Real-time alerts for care team
Cost	Potentially higher due to more frequent visits	Potentially lower through preventive care

Frequently Asked Questions About Navigating Care

1. Is Navigating Care HIPAA compliant and secure?

Yes, absolutely. Navigating Care is fully HIPAA compliant and uses bank-level encryption to protect your personal health information. The platform undergoes regular third-party security audits to ensure your data is always safe and secure.

2. How long does it take to get a response from my care team?

Response times can vary depending on your clinic’s policies and the urgency of your message. For non-urgent questions, you can typically expect a response within one to two business days. For any urgent medical issues, you should always call your clinic directly or dial 911.

3. Can I use Navigating Care on my phone?

Yes. The Navigating Care patient portal is designed to be mobile-friendly and can be accessed from any web-enabled device, including smartphones and tablets. This allows you to manage your care on the go, wherever you are.

4. What if I don’t have an email address?

If you don’t have an email address, your clinic can provide you with a unique username and temporary password to register your account. You can then log in using these credentials at patient.navigatingcare.com.

5. How do I add my family members to my account?

You can invite caregivers or family members to your account through the “My Care Team” section of the portal. You will have full control over their access levels, allowing you to decide what information they can view and what actions they can take.

6. What happens to my data if I stop using the portal?

Your medical records are maintained by your healthcare provider in accordance with federal and state regulations. Even if you stop using the portal, your data remains securely stored as part of your official medical record.

7. Is there a cost to use Navigating Care?

For patients, Navigating Care is typically provided free of charge by your cancer care clinic as part of their commitment to patient-centered care. Your clinic sponsors the service to provide you with better support and resources throughout your treatment journey.

Take Control of Your Cancer Journey

A cancer diagnosis is a life-altering event, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Digital health platforms like Navigating Care are revolutionizing the patient experience, offering the tools and support you need to feel more in control, informed, and connected. From tracking your symptoms in real-time to communicating seamlessly with your care team, this platform empowers you to become an active partner in your own health.

The journey through cancer treatment is unique for everyone, but having a digital companion can make a world of difference. It provides a sense of security, knowing that your care team is just a message away, and it offers the clarity that comes from having all your health information in one place. By embracing this technology, you are not just managing a disease; you are taking a powerful step toward a more empowered and supported healing process.

If you are a patient at a cancer center that offers Navigating Care, don’t hesitate to get started. Ask your oncology team about enrolling, or visit patient.navigatingcare.com to register if you have already received an invitation. Take control of your care journey today.