Dignity Health nurse navigator, breast cancer survivor shares advice for women with cancer diagnoses

October 21, 2026 - 23:54

A breast cancer diagnosis often brings uncertainty and a long list of questions about what comes next, but patients do not have to face that journey alone. Tana Toll, a breast cancer survivor and nurse navigator, recently spoke about the resources available to women who are navigating a cancer diagnosis.

Toll understands the experience from both sides. As a survivor, she knows the fear and confusion that can follow a diagnosis. As a nurse navigator, she helps patients make sense of their options and find support along the way. Her message is simple: no one has to go through it without help.

Nurse navigators guide patients through the health care system, helping them understand appointments, treatment plans, and the many decisions that come after a diagnosis. Toll shared advice for women facing cancer, encouraging them to ask questions, seek out support services, and lean on others rather than trying to handle everything alone.

Her perspective carries weight because she has lived through the same experience. She emphasized that practical and emotional support can make a real difference during treatment and recovery. For patients who feel overwhelmed, connecting with a navigator or a support program can be a first step toward feeling more in control.