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Patient & Caregiver Education Materials & Community Resource Library

We understand that when you are going through cancer treatments there is a lot of information given to you at appointments. We have provided many helpful Patient and Family Information documents here that you can click and read with your loved ones when it is a good time for you. You can print them off or save them and share them with your family.

The materials and resources listed below do not replace advice from your health care team. Ask your health care team about any of these materials or resources for more information or questions.

Patient Education Library

Video Virtual Appointment Resources

​ How to install Zoom
Written instructions on how to install Zoom
How to prepare for your virtual cancer appointment


Your Symptoms Matter (YSM)

What is Your Symptoms Matter and why complete it?
Improving symptom management: from the provider perspective
Ontario Cancer Symptom Management Collaborative – OH CCO


Patient Education Packages

As a new cancer patient, you will be given a Patient Education Package for your treatment. There are Patient Education Packages for:

  • Intravenous (IV) Chemotherapy– by a needle into a vein in your body (Blue Folder)
  • Oral Chemotherapy – chemotherapy taken by mo​uth or orally (Yellow Folder)
  • Radiation Therapy (Green Folder)
  • Breast Cancer – Diagnostic Assessment Program (Navy Blue Folder)
  • Palliative Care (Orange Folder)
  • Immunotherapy Education Package (coming soon)
  • Inside your Patient Education Package is important information you will need during your cancer pathway. You can find copies of the information in each of these packages below.

    Intravenous (IV) Chemotherapy Package (Blue Folder)

    Chemotherapy Education Book
    Chemotherap​y Side Effects: When Should I Worry?
    Fever and Infection While on Chemotherapy
    Fever Card
    Use of Natural Health Products during Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy (by OH-CCO)
    How to Safely Handle Cancer Medications & Fluids at Home (by OH-CCO)
    Oncology Pharmacy Information
    CareChart@home Package
    REACT and CareChart Information Card
    ​Wellspring Program
    ​Eating Well When You have Cancer Book (by Canadian Cancer Society)
    ​Parking & THP Shuttle Information

    Oral Chemotherapy Package (Yellow Folder)

    Chemotherapy Education Book
    Chemotherapy Side Effects: When Should I Worry?
    Use of Natural Health Products during Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy (by OH-CCO)
    How to Safely Handle Cancer Medications & Fluids at Home (by OH-CCO)
    Oncology Pharmacy Information
    CareChart@home Package
    REACT and CareChart Information Card
    ​Wellspring Program
    ​Eating Well When You have Cancer Book (by Canadian Cancer Society)
    ​Parking & THP Shuttle Information

    Radiation Therapy Package (Green Folder)

    Radiation Therapy Book
    Where to Start… Transportation Resources
    Radiation ​Therapy Book (by ​Canadian Cancer Society)
    ​Wellspring Program
    Parking & THP Shuttle Information

    Breast Cancer Package – Diagnostic Assessment Program (Navy Blue Folder)

    What is a Diagnostic Assessment Program
    Where to Start… Breast Cancer
    Where to Start… Breast Reconstruction
    Where to Start… Emotional and Psychological Concerns
    Where to Start… Practical Concerns
    Where to Start… Family and Loved Ones
    Wellspring Programs
    Understanding Treatment for Breast Cancer Book (by Canadian Cancer Society)
    Exercises after Breast Surgery Book (by Canadian Cancer Society)

    Palliative Care Package (Orange Folder)

    Palliative Care Guide for Patients & Caregivers; Mississauga-Halton Palliative Care Network
    Palliative Care: It’s not what you think
    Palliative Care Contact Information
    Speak Up Book; Ontario Edition
    Power of Attorney Book; Ministry of Attorney General

    Patient Chemotherapy Spill Kit at Home

    Using a Chemotherapy Infusor System at Home: What you need to know Booklet
    Chemotherapy Spill or Leak Handling Instructions for Home

    Immunotherapy Education Package

    Coming soon

    Treatment

    Treatment Videos

    How Chemotherapy Works (by Canadian Cancer Society)
    ​ Cancer Treatment Therapies Overview (by Oncology Nursing Society)
    ​ Coping with your Diagnosis (by Canadian Cancer Society)
    ​ What is Oral Chemotherapy? (by Dana-Faber)
    ​ Oral Chemotherapy: Handling Safely at Home (by Dana-Faber)
    ​ Taking oral chemotherapy at home (by Canadian Cancer Society)
    ​ Oral Chemotherapy: Remembering to Take it (by Dana-Faber)
    ​ What is Immunotherapy? (by Canadian Cancer Society)
    ​ What is Hormonal Therapy? (by American Cancer Society)

    Symptoms & Side Effects

    Symptom Handouts, Booklets & Pamphlets

    Hyperglycemia in Cancer Patients
    ​ Anxiety
    ​ Constipation
    ​ Depression
    ​ Diarrhea
    ​ Fatigue
    ​ Fever
    ​ Hand and Foot Syndrome
    ​ Loss of Appetite
    ​ Mouth Sores
    ​ Nausea and Vomiting
    ​ Neutropenia
    ​ Pain
    ​ Shortness of Breath

    Symptoms & Side Effects Videos

    ​ Managing Cancer Related Fatigue (by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre)
    ​ Managing Fatigue (by Canadian Cancer Society)
    ​ Managing Nausea during Chemotherapy (by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre)
    Mouth Sores (by North York General Hospital)
    Bleeding & Bruising (by North York General Hospital)
    Oral Chemotherapy: Managing Symptoms and Side Effects (by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)

    Psychosocial Oncology Videos & Handouts

    ​ Social Workers can help you Cope (by Canadian Cancer Society) - Video
    Spiritual Health at BC Cancer - Video
    Telling your child you have cancer - Video
    Practical Concerns
    Speak Up – Video​
    ​ The Emotional Facts of Life with Cancer

    Palliative Care Videos & Handouts

    Speak Up – Advance Care Planning
    ​ Powers of Attorney
    ​ Understanding Palliative Care (by Canadian Cancer Society) - Video
    ​ Palliative Care is more than end-of-life (by Canadian Cancer Society) - Video
    ​ Advanced Cancer: A family journey (by Canadian Cancer Society) - Video

    Wellness & Nutrition

    ​ Exercise
    Exercise and Exercise Services During and After Cancer Treatment
    ​ Canada’s Food Guide
    Finding Low Cost Dental Care
    Food support resources

    Family

    Family and Loved Ones
    Talking to Children and Teens about cancer
    Young Adults with Cancer
    ​ ​Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program

    Body & Sexual Health

    ​ Intimacy and Sex
    Where to Start…Sexuality Resources
    Where to Start…Fertility & Infertility Resources
    Mastectomy Wear & Breast Prosthetics
    Body Image and Cancer (by Macmillan Cancer Support) - Video
    Where to Start…Wig Resources

    Quitting Smoking

    ​ Benefits of Quitting Smoking for People with Cancer
    ​ Cannabis and Cancer
    ​ Vaping and your health

    Indigenous Resources

    ​ Tobacco Wise
    ​ Cannabis and Cancer
    ​ Vaping and Your Health
    ​ Benefits of Quitting Smoking for People with Cancer

    2SLGBTQ+

    Coming soon


    If there is any information you don’t see here, please speak with your health care team.


    Community Resources & Supports

    There are many community resources to help you, your family, and your caregivers. These resources include meal delivery services, transportation, wellness programs & support groups.

    Below is a list of some of these community resources.

    Wellspring

    To learn more about Wellspring:

    Wellspring is an organization that provides free online supports to people at all stages of their cancer journey. They have online events, skills workshops and peer support for patients and their families

    Canadian Cancer Society

    Call the Canadian Cancer Society at 1-888-939-333 or visit the Canadian Cancer Society’s website.

    The Canadian Cancer Society offers support and information to patients, families, caregivers and friends affected by cancer. If you are looking for:

    • Answers to questions about cancer
    • Ways to connect with other people affected by cancer
    • Support services in your community

    Home and Community Care Support Services

    If you need help at home because of cancer, Home and Community Care Support Services can help you.

    The government funds Home and Community Care Support Services. The amount of service you get may be different based on where you live.

    Mississauga Halton (Mississauga, Oakville, Georgetown)

    Central West (Brampton, Malton, Caledon, Orangeville)

    Look Good Feel Better

    To register for an online workshop, visit Look Good Feel Better’s website.

    If your cancer or treatment is affecting the way you feel about your body, the Look Good Feel Better online workshops are for you. In these workshops, you will learn about beauty tips, skin care, cosmetics, sun care, hair and wigs, and breast care.

    Talk to your health care team about other resources and supports in your community.









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