If you are a resident of Nova Scotia, are receiving outpatient treatment at the QEII Cancer Care Program and live more than 50 kms one way from the hospital, accommodations will be provided for you and a support person. This pamphlet lists locations that are part of the Accommodations Program. Due to the temporary closure of Holy Redeemer Centre, the Cape Breton Cancer Centre has made arrangements with the Holiday Inn to provide accommodations for patients travelling significant distances to re…
This visual guide goes through who physical activity is beneficial for, why it is, when in your treatment to start or incorporate physical activity, what type of physical activity you can do, and where. It includes suggestions at different levels of exercise, different tools that can be used including household ones, and programs provided by the hospital.
Cancer can be a difficult and stressful illness. Many people experience distress during their cancer experience. This is because cancer affects more than just your body – it can affect many parts of your life such as your emotions and feelings, your work, your finances, and your relationships with family and friends. This pamphlet explains what the "Patients Come First: Your Symptoms and Concerns Matter" questionnaire is, what to expect when you complete the questionnaire, and the benefits of c…
Cancer Patient Navigators are oncology nurses who work with you and your family and your cancer care team throughout your treatment and follow up care. This pamphlet explains how a cancer patient navigator can help and how to contact a Cancer Patient Navigator.
Cancer patients and survivors can be frustrated by the mental cloudiness they notice before, during, and after cancer treatment. This common cancer side effect is called Brain Fog or Chemo Brain. The term Chemo Brain can be misleading as chemotherapy is not the only cause of concentration and memory problems. This pamphlet explains what brain fog is, what causes it, the risk factors for brain fog, and what you can do to manage it. A list of resources for further information is included.
This guide will help you care for your pleural catheter. Your nurse will review this information with you before you leave the hospital. This pamphlet explains what a pleural effusion is, how it is treated, draining, problems with draining, signs of infection, and what to do if you have signs of infection. Information on who to call if you have questions is included.
This booklet is a guide to help you better understand chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR T-cell therapy). Topics include what CAR T-cell therapy is, enrollment in the program, T-cell collection, monitoring/bridging therapy, chemotherapy (lymphodepletion), CAR T-cell infusion, monitoring post-cell infusion, key inpatient discharge information, information about long term follow-up care and care at home, ongoing side effects, and information for the CAR T-cell care partner. Information…
Having cancer can be very stressful. It can affect your emotional and physical health, relationships with family and friends, and your finances. Most people with cancer feel some sadness. Often feelings of sadness come and go, and do not lead to difficulty functioning and completing daily tasks. Some people when dealing with cancer feel depressed, which is a severe sadness that can last. This pamphlet explains the signs of depression, and how to cope with sadness and depression. A list of resou…
Anxiety can be described as nervousness, worry, uneasiness, or fear. Most people dealing with cancer feel some anxiety and worry during their cancer experience. This pamphlet explains what anxiety is, what the signs of anxiety are, and what you can do to cope with anxiety. A list of resources is included.
As a person living with cancer, you may have questions about whether you will need a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. All vaccinations should only be considered after careful assessment of the risks and benefits. This pamphlet explains whether you will need a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine if you have had 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your cancer care team if you have questions about the vaccine, boosters, and your unique situation.
You are being treated with a cancer treatment that is cytotoxic. This means it can kill cancer cells and can harm healthy cells. This booklet describes what you, your family, friends and caregivers need to know about cytotoxic precautions. These precautions are used to keep your family members, friends and caregivers safe while you are taking your cancer treatment. This pamphlet explains what cytotoxic precautions are, what body fluids are cytotoxic, how to handle your body wastes, what to do …
This pamphlet gives instructions to help you and your family members or caregivers disconnect your pump at home. You can also review these instructions in video format by visiting: www.nshealth.ca/epump. The pamphlet explains how to prevent an infection, when and how to disconnect your elastomeric infusion pump, and how to flush your port with heparin.
Esophagitis is inflammation or irritation of the esophagus (the tube through which food passes when we swallow). It is a side effect that you may experience if your radiation therapy treatments are given to the throat, chest, or breast. You may experience heartburn or a “lump” in your esophagus, the feeling that food is stuck in your esophagus, pain, or difficulty swallowing certain foods. This pamphlet gives tips that may help your esophagitis, information about the Esophageal Soft Diet, and h…
Getting sick can be stressful in many ways. For some people, being sick has a big impact on their finances. Knowing your options and understanding how they work can help. This pamphlet explains what Short Term Illness (STI) and Long Term Disability (LTD) are, whether you can get help from Employment Insurance (EI), what the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefit is, and what Income Assistance (IA) is. If you feel you have tried all options and are still having trouble meeting your financi…
An elastomeric infusion pump is a lightweight disposable pump that may be used to give you medications. It is made of very hard plastic and looks like a baby bottle. This pump lets you receive medications safely and comfortably in your own home. This pamphlet explains what types of drugs can be given by an infusion pump, how an infusion pump works, whether you will still have to come to the hospital, how to carry and take care of the pump, whether you can bathe or shower with the pump, and how …
Getting between home and cancer treatment can be hard. In Nova Scotia, there are a few resources that can help. This pamphlet explains where you can get help if you are going to have trouble getting to treatment, what to do if you need accessible transportation, and whether you can claim your expenses on your income taxes. A list of resources is provided. Contact information for more information or help for travel concerns is included.
This pamphlet explains what to do if you are being investigated for lung cancer. If you have new symptoms or if the symptoms you have get worse while you are waiting to have tests or get your results, do not wait until your next appointment. This pamphlet explains when to call your family doctor/nurse practitioner or 811, and when to call 911 or go to the Emergency Department. Information about how to provide patient and family feedback is included.
Patients and families living with head and neck cancers often feel like they are entering a maze when they begin the cancer care journey. Our team tries to give the best care possible for head and neck cancer patients and their families. We have a team of health care professionals who work together to plan your care. This pamphlet explains the role of the head and neck oncology case manager in your care. Contact information is included.
The prostate is a gland that makes seminal fluid. Prostate cancer is a disease where cancer cells start to grow in the prostate gland. These cancer cells grow into a tumor and can spread to other parts of the body such as the bones and lymph nodes. This pamphlet explains what causes prostate cancer, what hormones are, what testosterone does, how hormone therapy works for prostate cancer, how long you will be on hormone therapy, and side effects. A list of resources for further information is pr…
When a drug spill occurs at home, precautions must be taken to make sure that other people who may be helping you with the cleanup do not come in contact with your cancer treatment. Although the risk is very low, it is important to be careful. This pamphlet gives step by step instructions to clean up a chemotherapy drug spill at home.