Patient and Family Support Team

man standing in front of a wall of brochures

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer can be very difficult and overwhelming. You and your family will have questions and concerns. It may be helpful for you to talk to a social worker or a dietitian from the Patient and Family Support Team.

Dietitian

A dietitian specializes in nutrition counselling and education. We can help you manage the symptoms you have, keep you strong and stop you from losing weight during treatment.

Questions you may have for a dietitian:

Cancer Care Team Dietitians

  • “I am not hungry and I am losing weight. How can I improve my appetite?”
  • “I am experiencing side effects from my treatment such as nausea, constipation and taste changes. What can I do with my diet to help manage my symptoms?”
  • “Are there foods I can eat to help increase my energy?”
  • “I have heard about nutrition supplements. Should I be drinking them?”
  • “I am having a hard time drinking water. What other fluids can I drink during my treatment?”

A dietitian is available to meet with you and your family member/partner-in-care to answer your questions and to give you support during your treatment.

Social Worker

A social worker can give you support and information to help you and your family member/partner-in-care with the concerns you’ve had since your diagnosis of cancer. We are trained in counselling techniques to help you solve problems, make decisions and improve your feelings of wellbeing.

social workers

If you are having a hard time with your emotions, you are not alone.  These emotions can be temporary with the right support and treatment.  Caring for your emotional health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. 

There are many practical ways a social worker can help you.  If you are not able to work during your treatment and you have financial concerns, we can help you fill out disability forms.  We also have information about the community organizations that offer help in your home and transportation to appointments.  We can talk to you about Power of Attorney forms or help you get legal advice.

Questions you may have for the social worker:

  • “I have been feeling sad/scared/angry/stressed since I was diagnosed with cancer and it is affecting my relationships. How do I deal with it?”
  • “I keep thinking, why did this happen to me?” or “How do I make sense of it all?”  
  • “I worry about the future. Is there anything my family and I can do to prepare?”
  • “I am concerned about money. What financial support is available?”
  • “My family cannot bring me to my appointments. How will I get to the Cancer Centre?”
  • “I am feeling tired and cannot do the same things around the house that I used to do. What community supports are there for me?”
  • “I worry about going back to work. What can I do to be ready?”

 A social worker is available to meet with you and your family member/partner-in-care to answer your questions and give you support during your treatment.

To make an appointment with a social worker or dietitian call: 905-576-8711 or 1-866-338-1778 extension 33282.


The BETTER Clinic

Are you feeling anxious or depressed?  Do you have worries or concerns that are hard to manage? It can be very difficult and overwhelming for you to live with a diagnosis of cancer.  You may be unsure of what to expect or do next.

To support you with the changes in your emotions, we have the BETTER Clinic (Building Emotional Therapies Through Education and Relationships).  At this clinic, you will first speak with a social worker. The social worker will talk with you about how you are feeling and give you information on what you can do to manage your worries and concerns.  Together, the social worker and psychiatrist will work with you to plan for the next steps in your care. You will be given information about supports and resources in the community that may help you.

Ask a member of your healthcare team for a referral to the BETTER Clinic.


Contact

To make an appointment with a social worker or dietitian call: 905-576-8711 or 1-866-338-1778 at extension 33282.

To learn more about the BETTER Clinic please talk to a member of your health care team.   

More information