AYA Resources

Wellness and Symptom Management

Cancer and cancer treatment can cause many side effects. Incorporating movement into your day, improving your sleep and managing your side effects can help improve your quality of life. This website contains resources about exercise, sleep, smoking cessation, cancer- related fatigue, brain fog and other side effects.

Exercise and Fitness

• Cancer Rehab and Exercise (CaRE) Program - The Cancer Rehab and Exercise (CaRE) Program is an 8-week program that can be done at ELLICSR (a health and wellness space in Toronto General Hospital) or in your own home. (Note: for patients of Princess Margaret only)
• Wellspring's 12-Week Online Group Exercise Program - This exercise program is available to cancer patients at all stages of treatment. Under the supervision of experienced cancer exercise leaders, participants will join other cancer patients in a group-based program. They will join the sessions from the comfort of their home via video-conferencing. Participants will be matched to the class (Low Intensity or Moderate Intensity) that most closely meets their current health situation and exercise level.
• Gilda’s Club Exercise Programs - Virtual and in-person drop in exercise classes offered for free for people with cancer. Includes: Yoga, NeuroMovement, Zumba.
• Princess Margaret Cancer Class: Exercise After Breast Cancer Surgery - Online videos of exercises for people who have undergone breast cancer surgery.
• University of Waterloo: Well Fit Cancer Exercise Program
• CanWell - A 12-week supervised and specialized exercise and education program for people with cancer at any stage of their treatment. Individuals can self-refer or obtain a referral from a physician or health professional. Participants will have access to a Physiotherapist, Kinesiologist and Advanced Practice Nurse throughout their time in the program.
• EXercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL) - A research study, providing exercise programs to rural and remote individuals living with and beyond cancer, across Canada.
• University of Calgary Resources on Exercise for People with Cancer

Sleep and Fatigue

• Princess Margaret Brochure: Helpful Hints for Better Sleep
• Cancer Care Ontario: Getting Better Sleep for People with Cancer
• Princess Margaret Cancer Class: Cancer Related Fatigue
• Princess Margaret Brochure: Managing Sleep Problems After Cancer

Brain Fog

• Princess Margaret Brochure: Cancer Related Brain Fog
• Princess Margaret Cancer Class: Cancer Related Brain Fog - 20 minute online course that helps you understand and manage brain fog.
• Wellspring Brain Fog Program - 8 week program that helps improve memory, attention span, problem solving and quality of life.

Symptom Management

• Princess Margaret Brochure: Managing the Side Effects of Chemotherapy
• Cancer Care Ontario: Symptom Management Guides - Includes management advice for the following symptoms: anxiety, bone health, constipation, delirium, depression, diarrhea, shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, hand-foot syndrome, loss of appetite, low platelet count, nausea and vomiting, neutropenia, oral care, pain and sexual health.

Smoking Cessation

• CAMH Nicotine Dependence Clinic or Nicotine Dependence Service - Psychosocial support to help people quit.
• The STOP program - Offers free nicotine replacement therapy and other supports and resources to help people quit or reduce smoking (either online or through a healthcare provider).
• QUASH app - Designed to help young people stop smoking and vaping, sponsored by Health Canada. (AYA specific)
• Canadian Cancer Society's Smoker's Helpline - Help by phone, online, by text.
• Smoking Cessation Counselling from UHN Pharmacists