The Nova Scotia Health Cancer Care Program has a library of educational videos that can help support you through your cancer experience. Some of the videos are listed in this pamphlet, including the Patient Orientation Session: You and Your Cancer Care, Symptom Management Sessions, and the Living Beyond Cancer Video Series. If you would like to review the full catalogue, please go to: https://vimeo.com/showcase/4902954. Contact information for more information on these sessions is included.
This pamphlet gives information about your gynecologic oncology surgery. There is space for you to fill in information for you and your health care team. Please bring this passport with you to your pre-admission appointment and on the day of your surgery.
This pamphlet outlines polycythemia vera (PV), a blood cancer, also called primary polycythemia, polycythemia rubra vera (PRV), or Vaquez-Osler disease. This pamphlet describes the cause, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of polycythemia vera.
A lung screening chest CT scan takes detailed pictures of the lungs. This pamphlet explains how to get ready for your scan, what will happen at the appointment, possible side effects, and what will happen after your appointment.
Paracentesis, commonly called a tap, is a procedure to remove fluid from your belly (ascites). This pamphlet explains what paracentesis is, and what will happen before, during, and after the procedure. Symptoms that need medical attention right away are listed.
This pamphlet describes the recovery process after High Dose-Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer. It outlines what to expect, possible side effects, and details for contacting your health care team with any questions or concerns.
Cancer affects more than your body. It impacts many areas of your life. Many people with cancer find that talking with a Psychosocial Oncology health care professional can be helpful. Psychosocial Oncology health care professionals provide psychotherapy, counselling, and other supports for individuals dealing with cancer. You can access services on your own, or with members of your family or other support persons. Services may be offered in person, on the phone or by virtual care. This pamphlet…
Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens at the top of the vagina. This pamphlet explains how smoking increases your chance of getting cervical cancer, other reasons to quit smoking, what nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is and how much it will cost, why e-cigarettes are not recommended, medications that are available to help you quit smoking, and other options to quit smoking. Tips for quitting smoking and a list of res…
This pamphlet describes how radiation therapy works, why it has been recommended for you, and the different types of radiation treatment. Other information like how to get ready for each treatment, how long and how often the treatment will take place, and how to manage side effects, is also listed.
This pamphlet outlines why having a full bladder is needed for cancer treatments and simulation marking appointments. It provides instructions on how to make sure you have a full bladder for every appointment. A list of questions you may want to ask your Cancer Care Team is also given.
This pamphlet explains what to expect when you come to the end of your radiation treatments. Topics include when your side effects will go away, how you should expect to feel over the coming weeks, and if you will need to make changes to your lifestyle. Questions you may want to ask your Health Care Team are included.
This pamphlet should answer most questions you may have about your radiation therapy appointments and help you plan for your treatments.
An Intermate® Infusion Pump is a lightweight disposable pump that may be used to give you medications at home. This pamphlet describes how the pump works, how to carry the pump, and how to use it at home.
This pamphlet provides information about scheduling with Noona®. Watch for an email from your Cancer Care team and download the Noona® app. Noona® wil show you your cancer care appointment schedule at a glance. It will also alert you if your schedule changes.
You have been prescribed a drug for your cancer that can be given at home using a needle. Your cancer care team will give you the supplies needed to do this safely. This pamphlet explains how to give yourself the drug, including what to do before you start, how to get ready for the injection, choosing and preparing the injection site, and injecting the dose. You should keep a record of your injections and bring it with you to your next appointment. If you have any reactions to your injection or…
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer medicine. This pamphlet gives information about possible side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors (a type of immunotherapy).
The most common side effect from radiation therapy treatment is a skin reaction. No matter what area of the body is being treated, most patients will have a skin reaction. This pamphlet explains what a skin reaction is, how long you will have a skin reaction, what creams and lotions may help, what to avoid, if it is OK to wash and bathe, and how to use a saline soak and take a sitz bath. Other topics include whether your markings will come off, if you need to wear any special clothing near the …
A list of cancer screening resources is given.
This pamphlets explores what happens when cancer spreads to bones in the spine, causing spinal cord compression. Symptoms and treatments are listed.
Spiritual Care is counselling that offers spiritual and emotional support. Spiritual Care supports patients and families of any ethnic or religious background. This pamphlet explains how Spiritual Care can help, what a Spiritual Care provider does, and how and when you can access spiritual care. Chapel/Place of Prayer and Meditation locations at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax and the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney are provided. Phone numbers to contact Spiritual Care direct…