Information for Patients and Families

Your Cancer Care

Every cancer is different just as every patient is different. That is why your cancer care team will develop a treatment plan that addresses your cancer and your life circumstances. We care for patients and their families, as well as, treat the disease. We work with you to find treatment options that best meet your health goals and wishes.

On this page, you will find general information about your cancer care. If you ever have questions about your care, your health, or what to expect in your cancer journey, write the questions down so that you can discuss them with your cancer care team during your appointments.

Your Cancer Care Team

Many different health care staff may be involved with your care.

Your cancer care team may consist of:

• cancer doctors, nurses, pharmacists, or radiation therapists
• psychosocial oncology specialists: social worker, psychologist, registered dietitian, registered physiotherapist trained in lymphedema treatment, or speech language pathologist
• support services: indigenous patient navigator and drug access navigator
• students who are training to become health care providers

Members of this health care team are skilled in cancer diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, pain and symptom management, supportive care, and palliative care.

The most important member of your cancer care team is you. We encourage you and your family to ask questions and participate in discussions with your health care team. Patients who are more involved in their own health care tend to have better results. We also advise that you continue to meet with your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner, etc.) regarding your treatment and for other health issues.

If you require an aid to help you hear the voice of your doctor, nurse or health care team member, voice amplifiers are available at the Regional Cancer Centre. Please ask your health care team or one of the volunteers to provide you with a voice amplifier that you can use during your appointment.

Cancer Treatments

There are three major ways to treat cancer. You may need one of these treatments or a combination of them. You and your health care team will work together to develop a treatment plan that is best for you.
Your treatment is tailored to you and may include:

Surgery

• Removes the tumour or area where the cancer is located.
• If your treatment plan includes surgery, you will meet with your surgeon or interventional radiologist to go over any health issues or concerns.

Radiation Therapy

• Uses high-energy X-rays or particles to damage or destroy cancer cells.
• The type of radiation treatment you may need will be determined by your treatment team.
• Each treatment may take 15 to 45 minutes.
• Your cancer care team will teach you how to care for yourself while receiving radiation therapy treatment.
• Radiation therapy treatment is usually given daily Monday to Friday over several weeks. Treatment is not scheduled on weekends or statutory holidays.
• If you live in the region and travel long distances for treatment, it may be possible to adjust your treatment schedule to accommodate travel needs. Please let our receptionist know.

Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy

• Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are medications used to treat cancer.
• Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that boosts the body’s natural defenses to fight the cancer.
• Your cancer care team will determine the type of chemotherapy/immunotherapy you may need.
• Your cancer care team will teach you how to care for yourself while receiving chemotherapy/immunotherapy.
• A chemotherapy/immunotherapy education session will be booked for you. It is important that you attend.
• Chemotherapy/immunotherapy education sessions are scheduled Monday to Friday, from 3 – 4 p.m., located on Level 3 of the Cancer Centre, in a meeting room next to the Chemotherapy Unit.
• On the date of your scheduled education session, please arrive at the Cancer Centre and go to the Reception Desk where the clerk will register your arrival and direct you to the Level 3 waiting area to have a seat. When the session is ready to begin, your name will be called to join.
• If you are unable to come on the scheduled time of your session, a nurse will review this education with you, one-to-one, on the first day of your cancer treatment.
• Anytime you have questions about your medications, it is important that you ask your cancer care team.

Pharmacy

The Regional Cancer Centre pharmacy team is committed to excellence in pharmaceutical cancer care. The pharmacy team works closely with our cancer doctors and other members of the health care team to ensure patients on treatment have the most appropriate drug therapy.

The pharmacy staff completes detailed work to ensure patients are provided with customized treatment at each and every visit to the clinic. We focus on patient and staff safety.

Pharmacy Education

Pharmacists are an excellent resource. They provide education that helps to ensure patients feel confident managing their drug therapy.

Pharmacists can provide you and your family with information about:

• Chemotherapy/immunotherapy drugs:
• injections given by the nurse during a scheduled appointment in the Regional Cancer Centre
• chemotherapy/immunotherapy pills taken by mouth at home
• treatment side effects and management of any symptoms
• possible interactions with other medications
• herbal or natural health products

If patients are prescribed oral chemotherapy/immunotherapy (pills taken by mouth) they will be asked to speak with our pharmacist at an arranged appointment.

What you should bring to your appointment with the pharmacist:

• a list of your current medications including prescription drugs (pills, patches inhalers, eye/ear drops, creams, injections). Alternatively, bring all your current medications in their original packages
• vitamins, herbal products or other treatments you are using
• over-the-counter or non-prescription medications
• any medication you need during the day such as for pain, diabetes and smoking cessation
• detailed information about any drug allergies, including, when you found out about the allergy, what happened, and how it was managed
• reading glasses, notebook and pen to write down questions you wish to discuss

A printable checklist is available here.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre, Specialty Pharmacy

Our hospital has a specialty pharmacy that supports cancer care. Patients can take prescriptions for cancer treatment to this pharmacy to be filled. The specialty pharmacy provides many services to cancer patients:

• The pharmacy carries specialized oncology (cancer) medications and
  supportive medications (anti-nausea medication, specialty mouthwashes, injections).
• Pharmacists trained in oncology (cancer) provide patients with private consultations.
• Pharmacy team members work closely with your cancer care team. We monitor for drug interactions and side effects.
• We help you navigate drug coverage.
• When you have a complicated medication schedule, our pharmacy uses compliance packaging. Compliance packaging helps to ensure you are taking your medication correctly.

Clinical Trials

Our Regional Cancer Centre’s oncologists (cancer doctors) actively conduct and participate in Clinical Trials. A Clinical Trial is a type of research study that helps to find new methods for diagnosing, treating, managing and preventing cancer. Your medical record may be reviewed by your Oncologist and a Clinical Research Nurse to check if you are eligible to be offered participation in one of our current trials. Choosing to participate in a Clinical Trial is completely voluntary.

For information about clinical trials, please call us at;
(807) 684-7566 or toll-free
1-877-696-7223 ext. 7566. You can also visit the
Clinical Research Services Department webpage.