Tips for You from Patients

Many people rely on the hospital to take care of them when they are most ill but the hospital may not provide everything people need when facing a serious disease like cancer. In the sections below cancer survivors provide insight into what you and your support circle can do to access the supports and services you might need at different stages through your cancer journey. ​

​​​Pre-diagnosis

Even before your journey with cancer begins you have a role to play. Many people suspect that something is wrong in their body and ask for tests from their family doctor. Survivors suggest paying attention to warning signs and ensuring your family doctor follows-up.

​​​Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

Getting a cancer diagnosis and starting to plan for treatment can be stressful and complex, and it often requires quick decision-making. Cancer survivors have some suggestions for you that helped them through this stage.

Your Right to the Best Health Care

Many survivors talk about the tension they felt when they asked their doctor for a second opinion or referral to a specialty cancer hospital like the Princess Margaret. Survivors have explained that some doctors may take offense at these requests and this made them feel awkward and sometimes prevented them from getting answers.

These survivors remind you that you have the right to ask questions and talk about access to quality treatment. If your health care team does not seem to respect your right to ask questions and express concerns, it may be time to consider finding someone who is more compatible with your views. You should be at ease speaking with your doctor about any doubts in your cancer care. It is best to do this before treatment begins because once treatment starts, changing health care providers or hospitals can interrupt or delay your treatment.

Financial Help

Not all cancer treatments are paid for by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or other health plans and some treatments are costly. Being upfront about any concerns you have with paying for treatment is crucial. Some members of your health care team, such as social workers, know about financial supports that are available to help pay for treatment and speaking to them can make the difference between getting help or not. Social workers can connect you with financial support services like Trillium Drug Program and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

• Visit the Trillium Drug Program website
• Visit the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) website

Health Information Research & Questions

Given that health care providers have very little time to spend with patients, some survivors suggest coming to appointments prepared. Read what you can about the type of cancer you have before your appointments; prepare a list of questions and write them down so you don’t forget. If you are not the sort of person to ask questions, bring a family member or friend who will ask for you. Do not feel bad about asking questions. If the doctor is too busy, ask if there is another health professional you could speak to (for example, a nurse, pharmacist, or dietitian).

​​​During and After Treatment

Community services and other survivors (peers) have helped many people during and after their cancer treatment.

You can find support through classes and programs for cancer survivors. Finding the right program and support means that you need to be open to the idea that these things may make you feel better. Survivors have told us about the positive effects of yoga, laughing, being around good friends or meeting new people who have or had cancer. What will help you is up to you to explore because everyone is different. Don’t be afraid to try something new.

​​Resources

The resources listed here were added by Michelle Snow, Patient Education Librarian, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and ELLICSR Cancer Survivorship Centre.

Access Hospital & Community Resources

• Patient Referral - Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
  Referral forms to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
• 211Toronto
  By dialing 2-1-1, callers are directly connected to a qualified information and referral specialist who are able to refer callers to social services and program in their local area.
• Home and Community Care Support Services
  Home and Community Care Support Services connects you with the care you need, at home and in your community. Services such as help with transportation, caregiving, meal preparation, meal delivery, housing help, supported living, etc.

Financial Help

• Trillium Drug Program
  The Trillium Drug Program helps people who have high prescription drug costs relative to their household income. It covers all drugs approved under the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program.
• Ontario Disability Support Program
  The Ontario Disability Support Program helps people with disabilities who are in financial need pay for living expenses, like food and housing.
• Drug Coverage at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
  Princess Margaret's drug coverage service can help you pay for your medication. Our medication reimbursement specialists and social workers can give you the advice and information you need to get access to financial assistance.

Research & Questions

• National Cancer Institute - Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Cancer
  See sample questions you can ask your doctor.
• Patient & Family Libraries' Online Library Catalogue
  View the UHN online library catalogue to see if there is a book, DVD, audio book, electronic book or CD that may interest you. You must come to the library to obtain these resources.

For more information visit the Princess Margaret Patient & Family Library or call 416 946 4501 ext. 5383.​​​