Abstract:

Although cancer affects all age groups, from a global perspective, 60% of cancer diagnosed cases and 80% of cancer-related deaths occur in individuals aged 65 and over. Haematological malignancies constitute more than half of the cancers in the geriatric population. Geriatric haematology patients constitute the patient group that is characterized by disease burden, complex treatments and difficult care process. They need help with decision-making, support, forward guidance and advocacy from healthcare professionals. Geriatric haematology patients need nurses who are specialized in the field, who guide the patients with up-to-date treatment approaches and care strategies at every stage of the disease process from diagnosis. Nowadays, the roles and responsibilities of the "Navigator Nurse" have been defined to meet the needs of cancer patients and to provide care coordination. Navigator nurse guides patients at every stage of the disease with clinical experience, knowledge, and skills that require expertise. As the roles, responsibilities, standards, competencies and training of the navigator nurse are defined in today and the future, it is inevitable that navigator nurses will have a positive effect on reducing some of the burdens that geriatric patients with haematological malignancies will encounter on their cancer journey with contributions to cancer care.

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