Mandarin-Speaking Patient Seeking Treatment in US

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tjzhang1
tjzhang1 Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer

I have a relative having got breast cancer treatment in Shanghai. Now her family is seeking medical treatment for her recovery in US. Unfortunately none of her closed ones can read ,speak or write English well. Despite I have several years of experience in US, I don't have idea of medical treatment resources in US. Her husband has given her previous treatment history to me. Put expense issue aside, any suggestions about where to seek suitable treatment ? Or any doctors having interest taking in this case? Details about contact info would be sincerely appreciated.    Best wishes for a wonderful new year .  TJ

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  • missing_nawlins
    missing_nawlins Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2008

    Where in the U.S. is she interested in being treated?

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  • Route53
    Route53 Member Posts: 340
    edited December 2008

    I would take a look into the Carol Franc Buck Breast Clinic (associated with UCSF in San Francisco): http://www.ucsfbreastcarecenter.org/trialsindex.html

    Dr. Shelley Hwang is my wife's breast surgeon.  While I have only spoken to her in English, she is from Singapore.  There are four languages spoken in Singapore and Mandarin is one of them.  Also, since the clinic is in San Francisco, there are many Mandarin speaking personnel and my aunt who is a readiologist there speaks Mandarin

    Route53

    http://route53.wordpress.com

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited January 2009

    Hi from the US!  If possible, the very best we have to offer is Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institue in New York, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and MD Anderson in Houston, Texas.  Also UCLA in Los Angeles is good.

    The suggestion for the UCSF hospital in San Francisco makes the most sense of all.  It is great and it is closer and the fact that Mandarin speaking people are around and available will help a great deal.

    Good luck and God bless you, Shirlann

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  • kelty
    kelty Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2009

    It really depends on which stage she is in. For early stages, all treatments are standard, the only difference is the skill of the surgeon. THe real difference lies in the late stage cancer treatment-the top institutes may be able to provide opportunities for latest clinical trials. The other thing may be worth thinking is to send the slide of her tissues to a pathologist in US to confirm the diagnose - especially for the markers and HER2 status.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited January 2009

    If Southern CA is convenient, I would highly recommend the Revlon Breast Center at UCLA.  Breast surgeon/oncologist Helena Chang is world renown, and speaks Chinese (per her online information), as do many of the wonderful doctors there.  I'm sure they would be most helpful if the location works for your relative.  Here's a link, and feel free to PM me if I can tell you anything more about my experience there.   http://breastcenter.ucla.edu/   (To send me a private message (PM), click on my avatar and look for the link on the page it takes you to.)

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  • WinterFlower
    WinterFlower Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2009

    You may try CancerCare.org on the web or call 800-813-4673. They have Chinese speaking trained social workers who can help you. 

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited February 2009

    My PS in Orlando FL also speaks Chinese...Dr. Kenneth Lee.  He specializes in DIEP flap and is part of the breast care team at MD Anderson-Orlando.

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  • ibcspouse
    ibcspouse Member Posts: 613
    edited February 2009

    WinterFlower

    Below is a page from the MD Anderson site.  Even if they do not chose MD Anderson, here is the number that they may be able to call and get information in Mandarin

     

    Fundamental to the philosophy of care at M. D. Anderson is your right to ask questions of your physician, and for you to be involved at every level of treatment.  Interpreters are available to help you understand your medical condition and communicate with your physician in the language with which you are most comfortable.

    Interpretation - We provide interpretation services in the following languages:

    • Spanish
    • Portuguese
    • Arabic
    • Turkish
    • Mandarin
    • Italian
    • German
    • French
    • Vietnamese

    Please call 24 hours in advance to schedule other languages or sign language.  After hours,  weekends or  holidays, call the page operator at (713) 792-7090 and request the on-call interpreter or call the hospital operator (dial "0") for assistance with our Language Line.

    Hard-of-Hearing Services: Language Assistance helps deaf or hard-of-hearing patients communicate by providing auxiliary aids such as qualified sign-language interpreters and text telephone (TDD).

    For patients admitted to the hospital, closed captioned television and a doorknocker can be arranged by calling Language Assistance.

    Hours:  Weekdays  7:30 a.m. -  5:30 p.m.
    Phone:  (713) 792-7930 / After Hours (713) 792-7090

      
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  • Sock
    Sock Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2009

    I used physicians through Duke.  They do'nt have a search option for languages in their "find a doctor tool" but they might be an option.

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