About the Patient and Family Support Program

How we can help

At the Odette Cancer Centre, the Patient and Family Support Program sees beyond your cancer diagnosis. Cancer can impact you and your family in many ways including your physical, nutritional, social, emotional and practical wellbeing. There is strong evidence that access to care given by patient and family support professionals can help you and your family with needs that go beyond your medical treatment.

Below is a list of frequently asked questions:

What should I eat?

Good nutrition is especially important for people with cancer. Preventing or correcting malnutrition can help improve and maintain strength and energy, decrease the risk of infection, improve wound healing and reduce length of the recovery period. Learn more about nutrition.

What if I can't work?

If you find yourself unable to work due to your cancer diagnosis, or because of a family member's diagnosis, a social worker may be able to refer you to available income support programs to assist you. Learn more about our social work services.

I'm having trouble speaking and swallowing. What can I do?

Speech language pathologists have the professional skills to deal with communication and swallowing difficulties. Clinical nutrition staff can help with making food and fluid choices that can make swallowing easier.

How will I pay for my drugs?

Drug reimbursement specialists help patients access coverage programs for drugs not paid for under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program. Call us for more information: 416-480-4623.

Who can we talk to about emotional and physical pain?

Our palliative care consult team are professionally trained counselors that can help patients and their families in coping with the cancer diagnosis and treatment. Social workers are professionally trained counselors that can assist patients and their families in their efforts to cope with the cancer diagnosis and treatment. Psychologists and psychiatrists can also help patients cope with emotional pain.

How will I get to my appointment?

The Canadian Cancer Society may be able to help patients with rides to and from their appointments at the Odette Cancer Centre through their volunteer transportation program.

How can I get back into a routine after breast cancer surgery?

After surgery for breast cancer, patients may initially experience fatigue and difficulty returning to their daily routines. Learn more about how an occupational therapist and physiotherapist can help.

As family of someone who has cancer, where do I find help?

Social workers can help family members by providing both supportive counseling to them or by finding other sources of support for them. Support may be available to them through community cancer support programs for caregivers including Wellspring and the Canadian Cancer Society.

For the answer to these and other patient and family related questions, please visit the Patient and Family Support Program in T-wing, ground floor, room TG230 or call 416-480-4623.