Navigating MyCare
for colorectal cancer surgery
Learn more about your colorectal cancer journey.
Below we will take you through a general pathway of care for colorectal cancer patients, from pre to post surgery.
Your care pathway
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Getting referred to Sunnybrook, and your journey leading up to surgery.
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Learn about our surgical approach and surgical options.
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Information about follow-up with your surgeon, and your transition plan for long-term care.
1
Pre-surgery
Getting to Sunnybrook
At Sunnybrook, we see colorectal cancer patients who are referred here for a colonoscopy, or patients who have already received a colorectal cancer diagnosis. Here’s how it works:
Once you’re a Sunnybrook patient
Nurse navigator
Once you are a patient, you will be assigned a nurse navigator. Your nurse navigator is your designated nurse, who is here to support you during your journey. You may call or email your designated nurse at any time.
Treatment plan
Before your treatment is decided, a group of world-leading cancer experts meet to discuss your best possible treatment plan.
2
Surgery
Minimally invasive surgery
Many traditional open surgeries for cancer management can now be performed using a laparoscope for a minimally invasive approach. For patients, this means that they have almost no incision and much faster recovery time.
Types of minimally invasive surgical options include:
- Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy
- Laparoscopic left hemicolectomy
- Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy
- Laparoscopic low anterior resection
- Laparoscopic abdominal perineal resection
- Laparoscopic multivisceral resection
- TAMIS
- TaTME
Read about minimally invasive colorectal cancer surgical options at Sunnybrook
3
Post-surgery
Follow up with your surgeon
Your surgeon will have reviewed your lab results in advance of your initial follow up.
Transition plan
You’ll be provided with evidence-based surveillance tools to help inform your long-term plan.
Contact us
Contact the patient and family education team at patienteducation@sunnybrook.ca or 416-480-4534.
For questions about your care, please contact your care team directly.
Diagnosis at Sunnybrook
If you and your family physician suspect you need a colonoscopy, they will refer you to Sunnybrook for a scope. Sunnybrook offers an expedited colonoscopy program; you will receive a guaranteed scope within two weeks.
Diagnosis from outside of Sunnybrook
If colorectal cancer has been discovered outside of Sunnybrook, your doctor will refer you to Sunnybrook for treatment after receiving your diagnosis.
» Download a PDF version of this care pathway
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