Cancer Care (Haematology/Oncology)

Our cancer care program supports patients living with cancer, from consultation and diagnosis to treatment and supportive care.

Humber River Hospital’s Cancer Care Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) serves in an advisory capacity, making recommendations on matters that impact patients and their families who are receiving cancer care services. This Council collaborates with the staff and leadership teams of the Cancer Care Program to promote a consistent, high quality approach in ensuring that the needs and priorities of patients and families are addressed, and in turn, advancing a person-centred approach to the delivery of Cancer Care. Their focus is on promoting positive outcomes related to Person-Centred Care.

For the safety of all our patients, here are some important information about COVID-19 and Cancer Care Services at Humber River Hospital.

COVID-19 and Cancer: What You Need to Know. Click here.

COVID-19 Testing and Your Treatment. Click here.

Our Cancer Care Program consists of different healthcare professionals who will support you at diagnosis, during your treatment, and in your follow up care. The following team members are:

Humber River Hospital is proud to offer patients an integrated cancer care program. The integrated cancer care team consists of members from programs around the hospital, including:

Diagnostic Imaging
Endoscopy
General Medicine
Mental Health
Pharmacy
Palliative Care
Surgery

We provide patients with the support they need while living with cancer, from consultation and diagnosis to treatment and supportive care including palliative care.

Our cancer program features a 30-bed inpatient unit. Our radiation isolation room treats patients with thyroid cancer. We also offer follow-up care and symptom management.

Our cancer and oncology clinic has 28 treatment spaces to provide specialized cancer care. This includes chemotherapy and oral therapies. We also offer follow-up care and symptom management.

Humber River Hospital partners with other cancer centres in the Greater Toronto Area to provide care. We also take part in clinical trials.

We partner with community support organizations to help patients at every step in their care journey.

Our cancer care team is actively involved in initiatives to improve our patient experience. We work to enhance the quality of care within our hospital, within our region and across Ontario.

Some of our highlights include:

We are active participants in the Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) Regional Cancer Program, including the Regional Systemic Therapy Program (RSTP), Cancer Care Ontario Oncology Nursing Program Committee (ONPC), Regional Quality and Safety Network (ReQSN), and in the regional and provincial strategy for palliative care.

We have a dedicated Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) with advisors who have participated in local, regional and provincial committees. Our advisors make recommendations and collaborate with our cancer care team. Working together, we help advance a person-centred approach to the delivery of care. One of our patient advisors was the recipient of the 2018 CCO Volunteer Human Touch award!

Information about our Cancer Care Clinic

Your family doctor, surgeon or other specialists may make a referral to our Cancer Care Clinic to see which treatment is best for you. You can find more information about our Clinic in the “Welcome to the Cancer Care Clinic” booklet.

Treatments may be given to you to help cure cancer, control cancer cells that are growing or that may spread to other parts of the body, and/or relieve symptoms of cancer when curing it is not possible. Our team members will provide you information specific to the treatment you need and what to expect.

What is Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that is given to destroy cancer cells and help to reduce the chance of cancer growing or spreading to other parts of the body. It may be also given before or after surgery. Chemotherapy may consist of one or more medications that are given either by injection or by pill form. Chemotherapy targets both cancer cells and normal growing cells.

More information about Chemotherapy and what to expect can be found here:

Cancer Care Ontario

Canadian Cancer Society

What is Biological Therapy (Immunotherapy)

Biological therapies are treatments that work with your body’s immune system to strengthen it so that it can destroy cancer cells. There are different types of biological therapies such as antibodies, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. Biological therapies do not harm as many normal cells in the body and may often have different side effects from traditional chemotherapy.

More information about Immunotherapy can be found here:

Cancer Care Ontario – Biological Therapy

Cancer Care Ontario – Immunotherapy

Canadian Cancer Society

What are Biosimilar Medications?

What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy uses high energy waves that passes through the skin to target the specific location of the cancerous tumor in the body. Radiation can be given before or after surgery. It can also be used before or after chemotherapy or together with chemotherapy. If radiation therapy is needed as part of your treatment, our oncologists in the Cancer Care Clinic will refer you to one of our partner hospitals like Sunnybrook, Princess Margaret or Stronach Regional Cancer Centre.

More information about Radiation therapy and what to expect can be found here:

Cancer Care Ontario

Canadian Cancer Society

What are Clinical Trials?

A cancer clinical trial is a study to find new ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat cancer that is superior to current standard care. They are federally regulated and closely monitored to ensure the safety and care of all participants. The Cancer Care department supports a number of trials in various types of cancers.

Clinical trials allow you to be among the first to benefit from the newest cancer treatments available. For more information about trials that we are conducting, ask to speak with the Clinical Trials Coordinator.

More information about Clinical Trials and what to expect can be found here:

It Starts With Me

Home Safety with Cancer Medications

Managing Your Symptoms

Preventing Infections

Chemotherapy and other treatments may lower your white blood cells. White blood cells help to fight infections. It is important to take your temperature while you are on chemotherapy. Fever may be the only sign of an infection. You have a fever if your temperature (using an oral thermometer) is 100.4^oF (38^oC) or higher for more than one hour or is 101^oF (38.3^oC) or higher at any one time.

More information about fever and preventing infections in cancer patients can be found here:

Cancer Care Ontario Fever

Cancer Care Ontario – Neutropenia

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Cancer Care (Haematology/Oncology)

Our cancer care program supports patients living with cancer, from consultation and diagnosis to treatment and supportive care.

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Information about our Cancer Care Clinic

What is Chemotherapy

What is Biological Therapy (Immunotherapy)

What are Biosimilar Medications?

What is Radiation Therapy?

What are Clinical Trials?

Home Safety with Cancer Medications

Managing Your Symptoms

Preventing Infections

Smoking Cessation

Financial Support

Cancer Screening

Additional Resources

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